HB 2054
AN ACT relating to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Strengthens the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program by requiring insurers to pay an assessment to fund volunteer fire departments, with at least 10% of appropriations specifically allocated to departments in high-risk wildfire areas. The assessment will help these departments receive financial support, with any unused funds from high-risk areas able to be redirected to other eligible fire department assistance requests. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, potentially improving rural fire protection and emergency services across Texas.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and authorizing an increase in the assessment on certain insurers BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 2007.002, Insurance Code, is amended to Sec. 2007.002. ASSESSMENT. The comptroller shall assess against all insurers to which this chapter applies amounts for each state fiscal year necessary, as determined by the commissioner, to collect [a combined total equal to the lesser of: [(1)] the total amount that the General Appropriations Act appropriates from the volunteer fire department assistance fund account in the general revenue fund for that state fiscal year, other than appropriations for contributions to the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System made under Section 614.104(d), SECTION 2. Section 614.102, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows: (i) At least 10 percent of appropriations for a state fiscal year from the fund is allocated for the purpose of providing assistance to volunteer fire departments in areas of the state defined by the service as high risk for large wildfires. (j) If the amount of assistance requested in a state fiscal year by eligible departments described by Subsection (i) is less than the amount allocated under that subsection, the remaining amount may be used for other types of requests for assistance SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program
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