HB 834 would allow the neighboring states to work with Texas law enforcement officials to find seniors, regardless of the senior citizen’s residence. Texas was the first state in the area to enact the silver alert. Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico all developed the silver alerts systems following the success of this program. The Silver Alert system, according to Rep. Hernandez staff, has reduced the time it took for officials to find missing persons to 16 hours.

This legislation would allow senior residents close to our neighboring borders to work with Texas law enforcement officials to find missing seniors. This system has also been used to encourage the press to cover issues impacting senior citizens, by actively sharing relevant missing person information. HB 834 further promotes inter-agency government cooperation between Texas and bordering states.

This bill has no impact on our liberty principles, so we remain neutral.