Interim Hearing | Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Communications

Event Details

The Texas House Committee on State Affairs will hold an interim hearing on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the John H. Reagan Building, Room 140.

The committee will examine Texas laws governing state and local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Lawmakers will review coordination between governmental entities, opportunities to streamline response and recovery efforts, and requirements involving training, licensing, education, coordination, and mass fatality operations. The committee will also consider whether regulatory requirements should be adjusted during disasters to improve response and recovery while maintaining appropriate state oversight.

Lawmakers will additionally study the creation of a formal Interoperability Council to coordinate a statewide emergency communications strategy. The committee will examine interoperability standards, regional systems, coordination among local, state, and federal first responders, and the use of emerging technologies such as satellite communications and integrated advances in telecommunications to maintain reliable communications during emergencies.

Invited and public testimony will be heard.

Hearing Resources

• Meeting Notice
• Submit Electronic Public Comment
• In-Person Witness Registration
• Live Video Broadcast
• Public Access and Capitol Meeting Information
• TPR Written Testimony, Interoperable Communications | House State Affairs, 9.14.2026
• TPR Written Testimony, Disaster Preparedness and Response | House State Affairs, 9.14.2026