Texas HB1: Relating to disaster response and preparedness, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing a fee.

What the bill says

An act relating to disaster response and preparedness, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing a fee.

From the amended text, August 9, 2025:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to disaster response and preparedness, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing a fee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 27, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 27.0055 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 27.0055.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN ] [ADDED: JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. (a) ][ADDED: ][ADDED: This section applies only to a justice ] [ADDED: of the peace of a county not served by a medical examiner.] [ADDED: (b)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: The Department of State Health Services, in ] [ADDED: collaboration with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, ] [ADDED: shall develop a training program for justices of the peace on ] [ADDED: managing mass fatality events. The training program must include:] [] [ ] [ADDED: and] [ADDED: (3) best practices on:] [ADDED: (A)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: collecting and reporting data regarding ] [ and] [ADDED: (B)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: coordinating efforts with multiple ] [ADDED: governmental agencies during mass fatality events.] [ADDED: (c)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: For purposes of removal under Chapter 87, Local ] [ADDED: Government Code, "incompetency" in the case of a justice of the ] [ADDED: peace includes the failure of the justice to …

Sponsors

• Ken King (R, HD-088) · primary sponsor
• Joseph Moody (D, HD-078)
• Morgan Meyer (R, HD-108)
• Armando Martinez (D, HD-039)
• Wilson
• Trent Ashby (R, HD-057)
• Cecil Bell (R, HD-003)
• Greg Bonnen (R, HD-024)
• Brad Buckley (R, HD-054)
• Ben Bumgarner (R, HD-063)
• Angie Button (R, HD-112)
• Charles Cunningham (R, HD-127)

Latest actions

1. August 12, 2025: Placed on Major State Calendar
2. August 11, 2025: Considered in Calendars
3. August 10, 2025: Committee report sent to Calendars
4. August 9, 2025: Committee report distributed
5. August 9, 2025: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
6. August 8, 2025: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
7. August 8, 2025: Considered in formal meeting
8. August 5, 2025: Left pending in committee
9. August 5, 2025: Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
10. August 5, 2025: Considered in public hearing

Votes

• Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1?

HB1 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature 1st Special Session): Relating to disaster response and preparedness, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing a fee.

What does HB1 do?

In its own words: An act relating to disaster response and preparedness, including required training for justices of the peace and responding to mass fatality events; requiring a license; authorizing a fee.

What is the status of HB1?

In committee as of August 12, 2025. Latest action: Placed on Major State Calendar (August 12, 2025).

Who sponsored HB1?

Ken King (R, HD-088), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB00001