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HB 2

Relating to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing fees.

89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 69 co-sponsors

Texas bill requiring justices of the peace training and licensing for disaster response and mass fatality management, with authorized fees for implementation.

Laid on the table subject to call
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Bill Summary · HB 2

Legislative bill overview

HB 2 mandates disaster preparedness and response training for Texas justices of the peace and establishes new licensing requirements and associated fees for handling mass fatality events. The bill strengthens state capacity to manage catastrophic incidents that overwhelm normal death investigation and management procedures.

Why is this important

Mass casualty events—whether from natural disasters, accidents, or other causes—create logistical and legal challenges that existing local infrastructure often cannot handle. Requiring trained justices of the peace to manage these situations ensures counties have adequate personnel prepared for large-scale death investigations and victim identification, which directly affects families' ability to obtain death certificates and begin recovery.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on counties: New licensing requirements and training mandates may strain already-limited county budgets, particularly in rural areas with fewer resources
  • Scope of "mass fatality events": Unclear definition of what triggers these requirements could lead to disputes over implementation and whether training/licensing applies in specific situations
  • Fee structure: The authorization for fees creates questions about cost allocation—whether fees burden counties, the state, or are passed to individuals/families during emergencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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