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Bill

SB 21

Relating to the Internet posting of localized health and safety alerts by a municipality or county.

89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025) Introduced by Judith Zaffirini

Texas bill requiring municipalities and counties to post localized health and safety alerts online to improve emergency communication with residents.

Filed
#alertsystem(s0523) #citygovernment--general(i0060) #countygovernment--general(i0096) #disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #emergencymanagement #texasdivisionof(vp6fw) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #safety(i0740)
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Bill Summary · SB 21

Legislative bill overview

SB 21 establishes requirements for municipalities and counties in Texas to post localized health and safety alerts on the internet. The bill creates standards for how local governments must communicate urgent public safety information to residents online.

Why is this important

During emergencies—whether severe weather, contaminated water supplies, or disease outbreaks—timely public notification can prevent injury and death. This bill ensures consistent, accessible digital communication channels so residents can quickly access critical safety information from their local authorities.

Potential points of contention

  • Digital divide concerns: Requiring internet-based alerts may exclude elderly residents, low-income households, or rural areas with limited broadband access who rely on traditional notification methods
  • Mandate costs and compliance burden: Municipalities with limited budgets may struggle to implement required web infrastructure, potentially favoring larger cities over smaller towns
  • Specificity of standards: The bill's exact requirements for alert formatting, response times, and platform accessibility are not yet detailed, which could create compliance ambiguity or inconsistent implementation across Texas

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

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