HB 22

Natural disasters such as the Smokehouse Creek fire in 2024 and, more recently, the Central Texas floods in July 2025 have highlighted the need for early warning and emergency notification systems. Furthermore, the bill author has informed the committee that emergency response agencies responding to these significant weather events have indicated that the lack of interoperable emergency communication equipment and infrastructure has constrained response efforts. The 88th Legislature established the broadband infrastructure fund to be administered by the comptroller of public accounts to support a state-driven approach toward addressing the state's connectivity needs. H.B. 22 seeks to expand the authorized uses of the fund to include early warning and emergency notification systems and interoperable emergency communication equipment and infrastructure