H.B. No. 257 aims to enhance local emergency warning systems operated by municipalities and counties in Texas. The bill introduces Section 418.1103 to the Government Code, which defines "contact information" and allows political subdivisions to contract with the department for the disclosure of residents' contact information, provided they consent to participate in the emergency warning system. Participants can request removal from the system and may choose to receive alerts in both English and Spanish.

Additionally, the bill adds Section 521.016 to the Transportation Code, which allows individuals applying for or renewing a driver's license to consent to participate in local emergency warning systems and to the disclosure of their contact information to relevant municipalities or counties. The Department of Public Safety is required to include a section on the driver's license application for this purpose and to ensure that the contact information is used solely for enrolling individuals in the emergency warning system and issuing warnings. The act will take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

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