Senate Bill 3 Implementation
Stay informed on flood-related topics, including SB 3 implementation, by signing up for the TWDB “Flood” mailing list. For questions related to SB 3 implementation, please send an email to Flood Sirens Program.
In response to the devastating July 2025 floods, the Texas Legislature passed several bills aimed at improving Texas' preparedness for future flood events, including Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which relates to outdoor warning sirens in flash flood-prone areas. Governor Abbott signed SB 3 into law on September 5, 2025.
SB 3 directs the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to assess the 30 counties included in the disaster declaration issued by the Governor in July 2025 to identify flash flood-prone areas with a history of consistent or severe flooding where outdoor warning sirens are warranted.
The bill requires:
- the appropriate municipality or county within those areas identified by the TWDB to install, maintain, and operate an outdoor warning siren system—which is defined to include all components essential to the system's functionality,
- the TWDB to facilitate the development of best management practices and guidance for the operation of outdoor warning sirens, and
- the TWDB to develop rules relating to requirements for outdoor warning systems in flash flood-prone areas.
SB 3 also requires the Office of the Governor to establish and administer a grant program to assist municipalities, counties, and other governmental entities with the costs of installing outdoor warning sirens. In November 2025, the Office of the Governor delegated this responsibility to the TWDB. The grant program will be developed in the weeks and months to come, and as details regarding the program become available, they will be added to this page.
Senate Bill 5, also passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by the Governor on September 18, 2025, appropriated funding from the state's economic stabilization fund to the Office of the Governor for a variety of purposes related to disaster relief and preparedness. There is $50 million in allocated funding for grants to assist counties, municipalities, and other local governmental entities within the 30 counties identified by the disaster declaration to establish and implement a system of flood warning sirens and flood gages and to purchase other related equipment. In November 2025, the Office of the Governor entered into an agreement with the TWDB to administer the grant program outlined in SB 3.
The TWDB is working to implement SB 3 on a highly accelerated timeline, and updates will be made to this webpage as more resources and information become available. Stay informed on flood-related topics, including SB 3 implementation, by signing up for the TWDB “Flood” mailing list. For questions related to SB 3 implementation, please send an email to Flood Sirens Program.
Q&A
Keyboard navigation for Q&A: First, use Arrow Keys to navigate up and down the sections. Then, use either Enter or Space key to open the selected section. Finally, use the Tab key to toggle the links within each section.
Funding eligibility is limited to county governments within the disaster declaration issued by the Governor in July 2025. The disaster declaration includes the following counties: Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hamilton, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Maverick, McColloch, Menard, Real, Reeves, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Tom Green, Travis, Uvalde, and Williamson counties.
This grant funding is intended to support the installation of outdoor warning siren systems, including flood gages and all other components essential to the function of the system. These essential components can include physical infrastructure, such as rain gages, flood gages, and solar panels, as well as non-physical components such as education, outreach, and training.
The county may work with municipalities and other governmental entities to determine necessary projects and project sponsors, to install the required outdoor warning siren systems, and to transfer the funds to do so. This should be done through a written agreement.
Senate Bill 3 does not allow for maintenance or equipment upkeep as part of the siren grant program, so either the county or another entity that contracts with the county will be responsible for those expenses.
The Senate Bill 3 Sample Resolution serves as an example resolution. Counties may use their own form or template for the resolution and are not required to use this form.
Counties should include substantially similar content in order to authorize a representative to execute the grant agreement and accept the funds on the County's behalf. The TWDB's governing Board authorized an initial grant amount of $1million and authorized the Executive Administrator to increase that amount by $250,000 if needed. The sample resolution includes authorization for the full $1.25 million and authorization for certain amendments as an example for Counties to use if they so choose. If they would prefer to require Commissioner's Court action for amendments or increases, they could do so.
No, project plans submitted to the TWDB do not need to be certified by a P.E.
Because of the expedited nature of these funds, the TWDB may reduce the amount of financial assistance available under the grant agreement if the County fails to submit approvable Project Plans for the full $1,000,000 initial amount awarded under this Agreement by December 31, 2026.
Yes, counties will be able to request reimbursements for eligible costs incurred after September 5, 2025, the effective date of Senate Bill 3.
The TWDB may enter into a grant agreement with each county for a maximum initial amount of $1 million with an allowance to increase that amount by $250,000; any additional increases would require approval by the TWDB's governing Board.
No, counties will not be required to use particular vendors.
The TWDB will not have an approved vendor or contractor list. Vendor and contractor selection is up to each county (and those who they partner with via written agreement).
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has a Request for Offer (RFO) to identify vendors that can provide Flood Early Warning System technology solution products and services. The RFO will close January 21, 2026, at which point DIR will begin their evaluation and contract negotiation process. DIR-approved resources are expected to be available in the first quarter of calendar year 2026. Once those resources are available, the TWDB will link to that information from this page; however, communities are not required to use specific vendors.
Yes, grant administration and project management costs are eligible expenses. These costs should be included in the project plan.
It is anticipated that the TWDB's governing Board will consider the identification of flash flood-prone areas at their regular meeting on March 3, 2026.
It is anticipated that the TWDB will publish final best management practices and guidance by late January 2026.
Include your total funding request in the project plans. If your county's project plans total more than $1 million, the EA may approve an additional $250,000 through a grant agreement amendment. If your project plans total more than $1.25 million, that grant agreement amendment would be subject to Board approval.
Resources
- Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) - SB 3 directs the TWDB to 1) assess the 30 counties included in the July 2025 disaster declaration to identify flash flood-prone areas, 2) facilitate the development of best management practices and guidance for the operation of outdoor warning sirens, and 3) develop rules relating to requirements for outdoor warning systems in flash flood-prone areas. The TWDB is also responsible for the development of the grant program described in SB 3, as the Office of the Governor has delegated this responsibility to the agency.
- Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) - SB 5 appropriated $50 million in funding from the state's economic stabilization fund to the Office of the Governor for grants to assist entities within the 30 counties identified by the disaster declaration. This funding must be used to establish and implement a system of flood warning sirens and flood gages and to purchase other related equipment. The Office of the Governor has entered into an agreement with the TWDB that empowers the agency to administer these grants.
- July 2025 Flood Disaster Proclamation - On July 22, 2025, the Governor issued a disaster proclamation for 30 counties impacted by flooding in early July 2025. These are the same counties impacted by SB 3.
- Senate Bill 3 Implementation Board Memo - On December 16, 2025, the TWDB's Board was briefed on the SB 3 implementation plan.
- Senate Bill 3 Grants Program Board Memo - On December 16, 2025, the TWDB's Board approved the Executive Administrator to negotiate and execute contracts for Senate Bill 3 Outdoor Warning Siren Grants. The memo provides additional information regarding the grant agreements.
- Senate Bill 3 Sample Resolution - Each county included in the July 2025 Flood Disaster Proclamation is required to submit a resolution from its Commissioners Court authorizing acceptance of outdoor warning siren system funding and approval to enter into an agreement with the TWDB. The form provided serves as an example resolution. Counties may use their own form or template for the resolution and are not required to use this form. Counties should include substantially similar content to authorize a representative to execute the grant agreement and accept the funds on the County's behalf. The TWDB authorized an initial grant amount up to $1 million and allowance for an additional $250,000 with approval from the Executive Administrator. The sample resolution authorizes the full $1.25 million, and for certain amendments, as an example for Counties that choose to authorize the full amount now. Alternatively, if they would prefer to require Commissioners Court action for any amendments or increases, they could do so.
- Senate Bill 3 Project Plan Packet Template - To receive funding through the Senate Bill 3 Grants Program, eligible counties are required to complete the SB 3 Project Plan Template for each proposed project. Please email completed project plant templates to Flood Sirens Program. Note that cumulative amounts by county over $1,000,000 are subject to the approval of the TWDB Executive Administrator, and amounts over $1,250,000 are subject to the approval of the TWDB governing Board. Additionally, counties must have completed the TWDB Vendor Set-up and Direct Deposit forms before advances or reimbursements can be made. Vendor Set-up and Direct Deposit forms must be submitted by email to Vendor Setups.
- Flood Early Warning Systems Guidance - Effective Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS) are essential to reducing flood impacts on Texas communities. The TWDB developed this guidance document to provide stakeholders with a resource to support FEWS planning, financing, deployment, and management.
- Alternative Flood Early Warning Systems Guide - This guide was developed to provide communities with information on how to select, install, and operate a commercially available and scalable low-cost flood sensor (LCFS) flood warning system that provides real-time flood alert communications at roadways.