H.B. No. 156 aims to enhance the safety of Texas residents by establishing a standardized outdoor warning siren activation protocol. The bill introduces new sections to the Government Code, specifically Sections 418.196 and 418.197, which mandate the Texas Division of Emergency Management to develop a uniform protocol for activating outdoor warning sirens across political subdivisions. This protocol will include criteria for activation during emergencies, such as severe weather warnings and local disaster declarations, while also accommodating regional differences. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the protocol should not regulate testing schedules, maintenance, or minimum geographic coverage of the sirens.

To support the development and implementation of this protocol, the bill establishes an advisory committee composed of various stakeholders, including emergency management directors and representatives from relevant organizations. This committee will provide technical guidance, conduct surveys of existing practices, and submit annual reports with recommendations to the division. The bill sets specific deadlines for the development and adoption of the protocol, requiring the division to publish it by March 15, 2026, and for political subdivisions to adopt it by September 1, 2026. The act will take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

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