SB 871 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the authority of the legislature, governor, and certain political subdivisions with respect to disasters and emergencies.

SB 871 amends Texas Government Code to clarify the authority of the governor, state agencies, and local governments during disasters and emergencies. It updates the definition of "disaster" to exclude civil unrest, riots, or insurrection, while explicitly including natural events like floods, earthquakes, and energy emergencies. The bill outlines specific purposes, such as improving coordination between state and local entities, reducing community vulnerability, and aligning with federal emergency management goals. This legislation directly affects state and local officials responsible for emergency response, recovery, and disaster preparedness planning.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Apr 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas disaster and emergency management laws to clarify authority between the legislature and governor, add new restrictions on suspending laws during emergencies, and conditionally take effect based on a future constitutional amendment. The changes strengthen legislative control over business restrictions during disasters and limit the governor's power to suspend certain laws.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of emergency management provisions to include new limitations on the governor's authority to suspend laws and regulations, while also adding a conditional effective date tied to a constitutional amendment vote.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 418.0126 reserving authority to restrict business operations during disasters exclusively to the legislature, requiring consultation with county judges.

Added Section 418.0165 limiting the governor's ability to suspend certain laws, including the Texas Sunset Act provisions and election code provisions related to early voting.

Modified Section 433.002 to add requirements for publishing lists of suspended statutes on agency websites within 24 hours.

Added Section 418.027 to prevent local disaster declarations from conflicting with state disaster declarations unless authorized by the governor.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified Section 418.016 to clarify that the governor's power to suspend laws is subject to new limitations in Sections 418.0126 and 418.0165.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'Disaster' in Section 418.004(1) to include cybersecurity events while removing references to riots and hostile military action.

TIMELINE

Added Section 14 establishing that the Act takes effect January 1, 2027, but only if a related constitutional amendment is approved by voters.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

2 primary · 2 co-sponsors