Flood Bill in Texas

House Bill 13: The Failed Emergency Communication Bill

House Bill 13 would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure. The measure also would have created a new government body to craft a statewide plan for using emergency equipment. It died in the Texas Senate, despite being authored by GOP Rep. Ken King of Canadian after last year's Panhandle wildfires.

What HB 13 Would Have Done

The legislation would have established a statewide plan to improve Texas' disaster response, including better alert systems, along with a grant program for counties to buy new emergency communication equipment and build new infrastructure like radio towers. The bill's initial $500 million cost drew heavy criticism from fellow Republicans, including state Rep. Tony Tinderholt.

Current Flood-Related Bills in Special Session

Texas House members on a special committee for disaster preparedness met to discuss specific bills filed in response to the deadly Central Texas flooding. The hearing included bills that would require flood disaster plans for vulnerable camps, establish a licensing requirement for emergency management coordinators, and create a program for groups to be certified.

Rep. Drew Darby authored HB 19 and HB 20, with HB 19 requiring campground flood disaster plans to be due by May 1, 2026. Darby said, "Some of our camps were not just wholly unprepared for this catastrophic event, they were wholly unprepared for any flooding event."

Legislative Response After July 2025 Floods

Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session starting July 21, promising flood response would be at the top of the list with an expected focus on alert systems and local recovery. State Rep. Wes Virdell, who represents Kerr County, says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13 after witnessing the flood devastation firsthand.

Broader Flood Infrastructure Context

After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the Texas Legislature passed three significant bills directing more than a billion dollars to flood control and emergency response. The Texas Water Development Board's first statewide flood plan in 2024 recommended $55 billion worth of projects, but the Flood Infrastructure Fund has only committed $669 million to these projects so far.

Conclusion

There isn't one specific "Flood Bill" in Texas, but rather multiple flood-related measures. The most significant was HB 13, which failed earlier in 2025 but gained renewed attention after July's deadly floods. Current efforts focus on camp safety requirements and emergency communication improvements through the ongoing special legislative session.