The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Texas creates Interoperability Council and local grant program to coordinate emergency radio and communication networks
Last action · August 20, 2025: Referred to Disaster Preparedness & FloodingSponsor: Sergio Muñoz
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Proposed
House Bill 243 establishes the Texas Council to develop a statewide strategic plan for emergency communication equipment and administer grants to local governments. The measure authorizes local entities to receive funds for purchasing interoperable radios, constructing communication infrastructure, and training first responders.
Local emergency services agencies and municipal governments gain access to state-administered grants and standardized strategic planning for purchasing interoperable communication equipment and building radio towers.
- The Texas Division of Emergency Management operates as part of the state's emergency response framework under Chapter 421 of the Government Code. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
local governments
Local municipalities, counties, and special districts become eligible to apply for grants to acquire emergency communication equipment and construct infrastructure.
first responders
First responders gain access to interoperable emergency communication equipment, infrastructure, and targeted training programs during disasters.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
The division's chief serves as the presiding officer of the newly created council, and the division may adopt rules to administer the subchapter.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who serves on the Texas Interoperability Council?
What can local governments use grant money for under this bill?
Are meetings of the Texas Interoperability Council subject to open meetings laws?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Aug 20, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Disaster Preparedness & Flooding
- Aug 20, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Aug 19, 2025HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Exemption from Open Records and Meetings
The bill explicitly exempts the newly created Texas Interoperability Council from standard open meetings and administrative procedure statutes while excepting its holdings from public disclosure.
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools