BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1905

By: King

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) uses prescribed burns as a land management tool to reduce wildfire risk and promote ecological health. While such burns follow safety protocols, unpredictable environmental conditions may cause fires to become uncontained. Under current law, TPWD is not required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service, the agency responsible for wildfire response and resource coordination, in advance of prescribed burns. H.B. 1905 seeks to improve wildfire preparedness, reduce the risks associated with prescribed burns, and increase coordination between agencies by requiring TPWD to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service at least 30 days before conducting a prescribed burn and to include in the notice a request for the Texas A&M Forest Service to strategically position equipment in case the burn becomes uncontained.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1905 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide notice to the Texas A&M Forest Service of TPWD's intent to conduct a prescribed burn not less than 30 days before the planned start date of the burn. The notice must include a request that the Texas A&M Forest Service appropriately locate equipment to respond to a fire in the event that the burn becomes uncontained.

H.B. 1905 applies only to a prescribed burn that TPWD intends to conduct on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.