The Senate on Wednesday concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 3, legislation to expand flood‑warning systems in locations with a history of severe flooding. Senator Bettencourt described the bill as "transformative" and said the floor concurrence followed work with House sponsor Terry Wilson and stakeholders; the Secretary reported 27 ayes and no nays and the motion was adopted.

Under the language described on the floor, the Texas Water Development Board will identify areas with a history of severe flooding and other relevant factors — including prior loss of life, presence of residences and large gathering sites near flood‑prone rivers — and direct municipalities and counties where to install outdoor warning systems. The rules will require consideration of sensors, gauges and other components essential to the systems’ operation and call for backup power and redundant communications in addition to the primary operating system. The bill also provides statutory authority for state agencies to administer a grant program and to transfer money to appropriate funds, and it clarifies that counties and municipalities out of compliance with parts of SB3 can still receive grant money to become compliant.

Senator Bettencourt cited recent flood deaths and testimony that he said galvanized lawmakers. "I want to say to the families that was probably one of the most emotional days I've ever seen, in the Texas Senate hearing their testimony," he said on the floor. Bettencourt also cited measurements reported by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority: "that wall of water was coming downstream at 17 miles an hour. It was a 26 foot increase in 45 minutes. It took, 24 minutes to travel 7 miles." He argued that an outdoor warning system could have provided valuable minutes for people to reach higher ground.

The senator praised the Lower Colorado River Authority for contributing best practices and said the administration had direction from the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker to have the system operable by next year. Senator Bettencourt moved that the Senate concur in the House amendments to SB3; the motion passed by recorded voice with the roll showing 27 ayes and no nays.

The House amendments adopted on the floor give the Water Development Board rulemaking authority to locate outdoor warning sirens and other system components and establish the grant administration framework described above. The transcript does not include a fiscal note or detailed timeline for grants or installation beyond the sponsor's reference to an implementation target of "by next year."