Relating to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; requiring a license; authorizing fees.
SB 2 allows justices of the peace in counties without medical examiners to skip autopsies for deaths caused by natural disasters (like hurricanes or floods), provided they confirm: 1) the death resulted from disaster injuries, 2) no unlawful act caused it, and 3) no family member is seeking an autopsy. It requires the state to create a training program for these justices on managing mass fatality events, including autopsy decisions, body documentation, and coordinating with agencies. The law expires April 1, 2027, and directly affects local officials handling disaster-related deaths in rural counties. The bill does not impose licensing or fees, as implied in its title but not reflected in the actual text.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Aug 2025
Senate Passage
Aug 2025
House Passage
Aug 2025
Governor
Introduced Aug 15, 2025
Last action Aug 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
Aug 18, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was updated to clarify the roles of state agencies regarding unmanned aircraft in disaster areas. It added new authority for the Department of State Health Services to consult with and authorize training for justice court personnel, while simultaneously restricting the Department of Public Safety from neutralizing drones flying near critical infrastructure. The changes also updated the official title of the Small- and Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Program.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include drone training protocols for justice courts but narrowed the enforcement authority of the Department of Public Safety regarding drones near critical infrastructure.
REQUIREMENT
Added authority for the Department of State Health Services to develop and authorize a training program for Justices of the Peace and Constables regarding unmanned aircraft.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the rules for neutralizing unmanned aircraft by adding a requirement that the Department of Public Safety must be authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Homeland Security before acting.
Added a specific prohibition preventing the neutralization of drones operated over or near critical infrastructure facilities.
TECHNICAL
Updated the official heading of Subchapter CC to maintain consistency with the Small- and Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Program title.
Floor votes · House Aug 21, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
58
Key actions
17
Committee
11
Amendments
8
Aug 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House grants request for conference committee
lower
Aug 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate requests conference committee-reported
lower
Aug 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate requests conference committee
upper
Aug 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed as amended
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Amended
Amendment withdrawn
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Aug 21, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (133-3-3)
house
Aug 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Disaster Preparedness & Flooding
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Aug 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Aug 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Aug 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Aug 18, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
32 primary · 66 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Adam Hinojosa
RRepublican
P
Angela Paxton
RRepublican
P
Bob Hall
RRepublican
P
Borris Miles
DDemocratic
P
Brandon Creighton
RRepublican
P
Brent Hagenbuch
RRepublican
P
Brian Birdwell
RRepublican
P
Bryan Hughes
RRepublican
P
Carol Alvarado
DDemocratic
P
Charles Perry
RRepublican
P
Charles Schwertner
RRepublican
P
Chuy Hinojosa
DDemocratic
P
CB
César Blanco
DDemocratic
P
Donna Campbell
RRepublican
P
Drew Darby
RRepublican
P
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
P
Joe Moody
DDemocratic
P
JM
José Menéndez
DDemocratic
P
Judith Zaffirini
DDemocratic
P
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
P
Lois Kolkhorst
RRepublican
P
Mayes Middleton
RRepublican
P
Morgan Meyer
RRepublican
P
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
P
Pete Flores
RRepublican
P
Phil King
RRepublican
P
Robert Nichols
RRepublican
P
Roland Gutierrez
DDemocratic
P
Royce West
DDemocratic
P
Sarah Eckhardt
DDemocratic
P
Tan Parker
RRepublican
P
Terry Wilson
RRepublican
Co
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
Co
Alma Allen
DDemocratic
Co
Angie Button
RRepublican
Co
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
Co
Candy Noble
RRepublican
Co
Caroline Harris Davila
RRepublican
Co
Cas Garcia Hernandez
DDemocratic
Co
Charles Cunningham
RRepublican
Co
Chris Turner
DDemocratic
Co
Christian Manuel
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 2
Scope: TX
Hi! I can help you understand SB 2. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline