Potter County commissioners debate creating PIO committee to meet Texas House Bill 33 requirements

Potter County commissioners spent a large portion of their meeting debating whether to create a committee to study implementation, training and appointment of a county public information officer required under Texas House Bill 33.

Commissioner (proponent) said the new PIO duty is designed "to talk during the emergency," arguing the county missed opportunities to release timely information during recent fires and active-incident responses. County Attorney Scott Brumley summarized the law and related sections, telling the court that the statutes require county-level public information capacity under the Texas Disaster Act and the DPS active-shooter provisions and that the training will cover National Incident Management System basics and emergency communications. Brumley said, "Section 411.3735 requires timely provision of information during an active shooter situation," and explained that the county could appoint an existing employee, add a position, or contract services under the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

Opponents cited current fiscal pressures—ongoing jail staffing and a significant capital discussion about a possible new jail—and favored absorbing PIO duties into existing offices or relying on the city during incidents. Several members said they would prefer to defer a formal motion until the September session or have a short committee convene to identify in-house options and budget needs. A motion to create a study committee was proposed but the court did not adopt a final appointment at this meeting; one commissioner said they would bring a formal motion in September so the next court can weigh in.