House Bill No. 149 mandates that any political subdivision in Texas must obtain approval from the governor before purchasing a public safety radio communication system. The bill introduces Section 271.909 to the Local Government Code, defining a "public safety radio communication system" and outlining the governor's role in establishing standards for these purchases. The governor is required to review proposed purchases to ensure they do not impair interoperability with existing systems used by other governmental entities. The review process must be completed within 90 days, and the governor can either approve, deny, or conditionally deny the request, providing feedback on how to meet the necessary standards.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the governor must adopt the required rules by August 1, 2026, and that the new regulations will only apply to purchases made after this date. The legislation aims to enhance coordination and interoperability among public safety communication systems across different governmental entities, ensuring that new purchases align with established technical specifications and do not create barriers to effective communication during emergencies. The act will take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

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