Flood Deaths Renew Emergency Reform Debate

As the death toll from the devastating Hill Country floods continues to rise, State Rep. Wes Virdell finds himself on the ground in Kerr County, assisting first responders in search-and-rescue efforts and reflecting on legislative decisions made just months ago. Virdell, a Republican freshman lawmaker from Brady, said witnessing the scale of the disaster firsthand has changed his perspective, particularly regarding a bill he once opposed that sought to strengthen Texas’ emergency response systems.

“I can tell you in hindsight, watching what it takes to deal with a disaster like this, my vote would probably be different now,” Virdell said Sunday, still on-site in Kerrville. The legislation in question, House Bill 13, would have established a statewide emergency plan, created a government council, and provided grant funding for counties to build communication infrastructure such as radio towers and warning sirens. The bill passed the House but ultimately died in the Senate.

Though House Bill 13 never became law, debates over its $500 million price tag divided legislators. Critics like Rep. Tony Tinderholt cited the bill’s long rollout timeline and planning-heavy focus as key concerns. Supporters argued it could have provided crucial support to cash-strapped rural counties lacking the resources for basic emergency infrastructure. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s office pointed to over $547 million in disaster response investments made during the session, including aircraft, ambulance funding, and regional facilities.

As the state prepares for a special legislative session beginning July 21, Governor Greg Abbott has left open the possibility of revisiting emergency communication measures. “That’s the No. 1 priority for now,” he said. However, no formal commitment has been made to include them in the session’s agenda. For now, Virdell says the priority remains on recovery and supporting affected families.