SB 2 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

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
Photo of Adam Hinojosa
Adam Hinojosa
RRepublican
TX
27
P
Photo of Angela Paxton
Angela Paxton
RRepublican
TX
8
P
Photo of Bob Hall
Bob Hall
RRepublican
TX
2
P
Photo of Borris Miles
Borris Miles
DDemocratic
TX
13
P
Photo of Brandon Creighton
Brandon Creighton
RRepublican
TX
4
P
Photo of Brent Hagenbuch
Brent Hagenbuch
RRepublican
TX
30
P
Photo of Brian Birdwell
Brian Birdwell
RRepublican
TX
22
P
Photo of Bryan Hughes
Bryan Hughes
RRepublican
TX
1
P
Photo of Carol Alvarado
Carol Alvarado
DDemocratic
TX
6
P
Photo of Charles Perry
Charles Perry
RRepublican
TX
28
P
Photo of Charles Schwertner
Charles Schwertner
RRepublican
TX
5
P
Photo of Chuy Hinojosa
Chuy Hinojosa
DDemocratic
TX
20
P
CB
César Blanco
DDemocratic
TX
29
P
Photo of Donna Campbell
Donna Campbell
RRepublican
TX
25
P
Photo of Drew Darby
Drew Darby
RRepublican
TX
72
P
Photo of Joan Huffman
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
TX
17
P
Photo of Joe Moody
Joe Moody
DDemocratic
TX
78
P
JM
José Menéndez
DDemocratic
TX
26
P
Photo of Judith Zaffirini
Judith Zaffirini
DDemocratic
TX
21
P
Photo of Kevin Sparks
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
TX
31
P
Photo of Lois Kolkhorst
Lois Kolkhorst
RRepublican
TX
18
P
Photo of Mayes Middleton
Mayes Middleton
RRepublican
TX
11
P
Photo of Morgan Meyer
Morgan Meyer
RRepublican
TX
108
P
Photo of Paul Bettencourt
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
TX
7
P
Photo of Pete Flores
Pete Flores
RRepublican
TX
24
P
Photo of Phil King
Phil King
RRepublican
TX
10
P
Photo of Robert Nichols
Robert Nichols
RRepublican
TX
3
P
Photo of Roland Gutierrez
Roland Gutierrez
DDemocratic
TX
19
P
Photo of Royce West
Royce West
DDemocratic
TX
23
P
Photo of Sarah Eckhardt
Sarah Eckhardt
DDemocratic
TX
14
P
Photo of Tan Parker
Tan Parker
RRepublican
TX
12
P
Photo of Terry Wilson
Terry Wilson
RRepublican
TX
20
Co
Photo of A.J. Louderback
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
TX
30
Co
Photo of Alma Allen
Alma Allen
DDemocratic
TX
131
Co
Photo of Angie Button
Angie Button
RRepublican
TX
112
Co
Photo of Brad Buckley
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
TX
54
Co
Photo of Candy Noble
Candy Noble
RRepublican
TX
89
Co
Photo of Caroline Harris Davila
Caroline Harris Davila
RRepublican
TX
52
Co
Photo of Cas Garcia Hernandez
Cas Garcia Hernandez
DDemocratic
TX
115
Co
Photo of Charles Cunningham
Charles Cunningham
RRepublican
TX
127
Co
Photo of Chris Turner
Chris Turner
DDemocratic
TX
101
Co
Photo of Christian Manuel
Christian Manuel
DDemocratic
TX
22