Chairman King Files Priority Legislation

AUSTIN, Texas - March 6, 2025 - PRLog -- State Representative Ken King today filed House Bill 13, a critical piece of wildfire mitigation legislation aimed at solving one of the biggest issues Texas first responders face: the lack of an interoperable communication system during emergencies.

"When wildfires spread across the Texas Panhandle last year, we heard the same thing over and over from first responders—communication failures slowed response times and put lives at risk," said Chairman King. "HB 13 will begin the process of creating a statewide emergency communication network to ensure that when disaster strikes, every first responder is on the same page."

The legislation establishes the Texas Interoperability Council, which will develop and oversee a statewide communication network that ensures first responders, local governments, and emergency agencies can communicate seamlessly during emergencies. Additionally, it creates a grant program to help local communities upgrade their emergency communication infrastructure.

A Comprehensive Wildfire Response Package
HB 13 is part of a larger legislative package focused on strengthening Texas' wildfire response capabilities. Other key bills include:
● HB 143 – Solidifying an existing MOU between the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Railroad Commission that allows the agencies to work together when safety concerns are found at well sites.
● HB 144 – Requiring electric utilities to inspect their poles to ensure they do not pose a safety risk.
● HB 145 – Requiring electric utilities to submit plans regarding their plan to mitigate fire risk.

"These fires devastated our communities, but they also revealed serious gaps in our response system," King said. "This wildfire package is about fixing those failures, making sure our first responders have the tools they need, and protecting Texans from future disasters." HB 13 and the additional wildfire response bills will be considered during the current legislative session.