The bill, H.B. No. 200, aims to enhance local emergency warning systems operated by municipalities and counties in Texas. It introduces a new section, 418.1103, to the Government Code, which allows political subdivisions to contract with the department for the disclosure of residents' contact information, provided that residents consent to such disclosure for participation in the emergency warning system. Additionally, participants can request removal from the system by submitting a written request, including a text message, which mandates the political subdivision to cease issuing emergency warnings to the former participant.

Furthermore, the bill adds Section 521.016 to the Transportation Code, which allows individuals applying for or renewing a driver's license to voluntarily consent to participate in local emergency warning systems. This section outlines that the Texas Department of Public Safety must include a space on the application for individuals to indicate their consent for the disclosure of their contact information to local authorities for emergency warning purposes. The bill ensures that any contact information obtained by municipalities or counties can only be used for enrolling individuals in the emergency warning system and issuing warnings, thereby protecting the privacy of participants.

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