Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 3 amends the Water Code to require the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to identify each area in a flash flood-prone area that has a history of consistent or severe flooding and, based on that history and any factor the TWDB considers relevant, warrants the installation, maintenance, and operation of one or more outdoor warning sirens. For each identified area, the appropriate municipality or county must install, maintain, and operate one or more outdoor warning sirens, except that an outdoor warning siren is not required for an area in which a governmental entity already maintains and operates such a siren that meets the best management practices and guidance adopted by the TWDB. Among other provisions, the bill authorizes municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities to jointly install, maintain, or operate an outdoor warning siren; requires regular testing of the functionality of an outdoor warning siren in a flash flood-prone area; and requires the TWDB to adopt rules and procedures to implement the bill's outdoor warning siren requirements, including guidance that a siren be equipped with a backup power source that is different from the siren's primary power source. The bill prohibits the TWDB from approving financial assistance, other than financial assistance for an outdoor warning siren, for a county or municipality until the county or municipality certifies to the TWDB that it is in compliance with the bill.

Senate Bill 3 amends the Government Code to require the governor's office to establish a grant program to assist municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities with covering the costs of installing outdoor warning sirens as required by the bill. The bill sets out provisions relating to the administration of the program, including an authorization for the governor to delegate that administration to a state agency.