Texas lawmakers are once more considering whether Texas should build a statewide way for emergency responders to communicate across agencies during disasters.
The idea has returned after catastrophic flooding, major wildfires, and ongoing concerns that incompatible communications systems can cost valuable time in emergencies.
Here's what to know
On Sept. 14, state Rep. Ken King said he intends to continue pursuing a statewide Interoperability Council after earlier efforts failed, The Texas Tribune reported. Under the proposal, the council would organize a statewide emergency communications approach and establish standards for information-sharing among local, state and federal responders during disasters.
The proposal grew out of the 2024 Texas Panhandle wildfires. Those fires charred more than 1 million acres, killed three people and wiped out 15,000 head of cattle. After the fires, witnesses described poor coordination and communication among agencies, local governments, and responders as a major failure.
Nim Kidd, who leads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the problem has persisted for decades.
"It seems like we're taking micro steps in that direction," Kidd said. "But today, if a fire department does not have its own EMS agency, there's no guarantee those firefighters have any idea what the EMTs or paramedics are going to need when they show up on the scene."
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The Hill Country floods that happened on July 4, 2025, added to the pressure behind King's bill. The disaster killed 137 people, including 25 girls at Camp Mystic, two counselors, and the camp's executive director.
More background
Kidd and Kyle Mills, the department head of planning and preparedness for the Texas A&M Forest Service, told lawmakers that communications still are not seamless. Kidd told lawmakers it can take 36 hours for every responding agency to operate under the same communications plan.
Kidd said communication breakdowns are a top issue during disaster response because confusion between agencies can make already dangerous situations even worse.
Mills said some responders still carry multiple radios just to stay in contact with different agencies.
Kidd said local governments have sought state assistance on more than 1,200 fires, with state efforts helping limit the damage to about 315,000 acres burned. The Ross Fire burned more than 90,400 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties and was still active.
What's being done?
King has twice tried to establish the council. In 2025, his House Bill 13 cleared the Texas House but never got a Senate hearing. After the Hill Country flooding, he filed the measure again, and it again passed the House before stalling in the Senate.
In addition to creating the council, the plan would back regional systems, boost coordination across Texas, improve alerts and provide grants to help counties upgrade emergency communications equipment.
State Rep. Wes Virdell, who voted against King's bill before the 2025 flood, told the Tribune, "I can tell you in hindsight, watching what it takes to deal with a disaster like this, my vote would probably be different now."
Mills said, "As disasters become more complex, ensuring responders can communicate and share information seamlessly across agencies will remain one of our highest priorities."
Where can I learn more?
Floods and wildfires have kept the spotlight on how Texas handles disaster response. These articles offer a look at how fast-moving emergencies — and the political fights that follow — can expose deeper weaknesses in preparedness, coordination, and recovery.
• In Kerrville, the death toll kept climbing after flash floods devastated Texas.
• In California, lawmakers pushed to overhaul wildfire response even as residents objected.
• In California, communities protested controversial investment choices tied to the state's wildfire policy.
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