Video & Transcript Research : 'TDEM'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Apr 27th, 2026
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, just an increased communication by TDEM of what's coming.
- On July 3rd, TDEM hosted, as usual, their daily 8 a.m. weather call.
- TDEM deploys resources. The National Weather Service predicts greater severity.
- At 10 a.m., TDEM has a ...communication activates more protocol awareness for floods.
- At 10 a.m., TDEM has a phone conversation with 468 on a Zoom call dial-in.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- By placing responsibility with TDEM, the state's Emergency Management Division, House Bill 71 ensures
- The bill directs TDEM in Casa... Emergency Preparedness Standards.
- Those standards require operators to submit a plan to TDEM, post information about the plan on site,
- TDEM is required to review each plan, and upon request...
- TDEM is required to review each plan and, upon request, provide feedback or technical support.
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
Summary:
The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending.
The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms.
The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Feb 18th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Keywords:
emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Feb 18th, 2025
Business & Commerce
Keywords:
emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 13th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- the Texas First Responder Peer Network for Fire and Emergency Responders, including EMS personnel at TDEM
- So, this would be the same thing however TDEM implemented it, but our vision for it would be that local
- Blair Walsh, Assistant Agency Director for TDEM, here as a resource. Okay, great, super.
- Either private sector or TDEM. It will just change the cost.
- So we have TDEM employees specifically that are first responders.
Bills:
HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138
Keywords:
peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- By placing responsibility with TDEM, the State's Emergency Management Division, has...
- youth camp must provide documentation... showing it has submitted an emergency preparedness plan to TDEM
- It directs TDEM, in consultation with the Department of State Health Services... the Texas Commission
- TDEM is required to review each plan and, upon request, provide feedback. or technical support.
- With TDEM authorized to adjust the timing based on the group size, risk profile, remoteness, or relevant
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 23rd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Everyone, because we wanted to be uniform in our response with TDEM and all the agencies that TDEM coordinated
- Before that bill, TDEM was within the Department of Public Safety.
- Did the Salvation Army run that for y'all, or is that done by TDEM?
- And they took control that first day when we were working with TDEM.
- What we have is information... from TDEM.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Jun 18th, 2026
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating
Transcript Highlights:
- What it did is it tied the emergency management coordinators to TDEM and other response agencies and
- the now-current Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator, who at the time of the flood was the TDEM
- County Emergency Management Coordinator, Shori Harmon, at the time of last year’s floods, worked for TDEM
- , and he was the TDEM county liaison stationed in Kerr County.
- about many of the things that we tackled, but we haven't talked about trailer parks, rural homes, TDEM
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Joint Hearing: Senate and House Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Jul 23rd, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uniform in our response with TDEM and all the agencies that TDEM coordinated with.
- And what does TDEM need from this legislature to expand that access?
- Did the Salvation Army run that for y'all, or is that done by TDEM?
- What we have is information from TDEM.
- I was assigned as the communications unit leader by TDEM from July 6th to July 20th.
Keywords:
flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- Departments, is that going through the Texas A&M TDEM?
- TDEM coordinates the efforts of other state agencies to, in emergency planning and disaster response
- In the 2425 biennium, TDEM received $2.7 billion in response to disasters and emergencies from different
- Apart from the appendices, that concludes my presentation on TDEM.
- You would think that this was co-located under TDEM, but it's not. It's actually under A&M.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's a local issue there, whether they saw the TDEM alerts or what they knew before, what they
- And then pre that, I mean, I know we're going to hear from TDEM a little bit later and understand that
- speak also, Representative Moody, going back to July 4th, I was very impressed by the response by TDEM
- I can't say to the fact what TDEM, to my knowledge, our local officials did not get what TDEM was laying
- So that multidisciplinary safety team is the one that includes TDEM, DPS, the Forestry Service, Texas
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- requires specific licensing, better training, and drills to be formed with... ...once a year with TDEM
- Additionally, the bill requires TDEM to develop a mass rapid response team that can be deployed quickly
- Drill with TDEM supervision.
- TDEM knows those rules well.
- So probably a little education from the Water Development Board and TDEM would help.
Bills:
SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3
Keywords:
education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This morning, every Monday morning, we do a statewide call with our staff, the TDEM team, and we start
- It did not come to TDEM.
- the next three months, we need to be working to figure out what the process is. is with the, through TDEM
- So we have leaned heavily into the federal contracts, we are working with TDEM, exploring other avenues
- And as we've kind of been alongside TDEM and Texas A&M along the way. trying to understand what Texas
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- So obviously one part of it is so TDEM is involved with this as well.
- So TDEM handles, has handled some, you know, a good portion of the contracts that have come through.
- The bulk goes to TFC for border barriers, but then there's another component that goes to TDEM.
- TDEM is typically—because TFC, remember, they're sort of forward looking, right?
- so we're reimbursing TDEM.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Apr 28th, 2026
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating
Transcript Highlights:
- As they laid them out, not whether you agree with the level of the TDEM.
- Did TDEM issue the warnings as the investigators laid out?
- TDEM did issue. Okay.
- Chairman, is that I think she was inferring that we got the notices from TDEM, or TDEM had notified our
- TDEM and the National Guard even pre-deployed resources to the area.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- TDEM is looking at creating seven regional disaster centers, is that right?
- TDEM is looking at creating seven regional disaster centers, is that right?
- We have ongoing coordination with TDEM.
- Kelsey Vela: We have ongoing coordination with TDEM.
- Chair: ...we can absolutely continue that conversation with TDEM.
Bills:
SB1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools.
Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees.
DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.
TX
Keywords:
HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 19th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- 33 would build upon current school safety. measures by implementing security guidelines reviewed by TDEM
- I don't think there's a sheriff one that won't welcome the assistance of TDEM. to help them organize
- NIM Kidd testifying on behalf of TDEM, testifying neutral as a resource witness, is that correct?
- are included in this bill that TDEM could offer assistance in bringing about... clear collaboration in
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have ongoing coordinations with TDEM.
- We could continue that conversation with TDEM.
- We could continue that conversation with TDEM.
- We could continue that conversation with TDEM.
- Recommend you talk to TDEM as well. Witness: Yes, sir. All right. Thank you.
Bills:
SB 1