Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3667 amends the Government Code and Tax Code to create a rural volunteer fire department insurance program administered by the Texas Forest Service to assist with payments for workers' compensation insurance and accidental death and disability insurance. The bill establishes a rural volunteer fire department insurance fund composed of proceeds from a two percent tax on retail sales of fireworks. In order to qualify for funding, a volunteer fire department must be a participant in a firefighter certification program of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas. The bill requires the Texas Forest Service director to determine reasonable criteria and qualifications for the distribution of money from the fund, and it sets a seven percent limit on program administrative costs. A five-member advisory committee appointed by the director provides advice on program administration. The director must report annually to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the comptroller on the activity, status, and effectiveness of the fund.