|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to minimum standards for prescribed burns. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 153.047. PRESCRIBED BURNING STANDARDS. Minimum |
|
standards established by the board for prescribed burning must: |
|
(1) ensure that prescribed burning is the controlled |
|
application of fire to naturally occurring or naturalized |
|
vegetative fuels under specified environmental conditions in |
|
accordance with a written prescription plan: |
|
(A) designed to confine the fire to a |
|
predetermined area and to accomplish planned land management |
|
objectives; and |
|
(B) that conforms to the standards established |
|
under this section; |
|
(2) if the prescription plan lists a certified and |
|
insured prescribed burn manager as the burn boss, require that the |
|
burn boss be [at least one certified and insured prescribed burn |
|
manager is] present on site during the conduct of the prescribed |
|
burn; |
|
(3) establish appropriate guidelines for size of |
|
burning crews sufficient to: |
|
(A) conduct the burn in accordance with the |
|
prescription plan; and |
|
(B) provide adequate protection for the safety of |
|
persons and of adjacent property; |
|
(4) include standards for notification to adjacent |
|
land owners, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and |
|
local fire authorities; and |
|
(5) include minimum insurance requirements for |
|
certified and insured prescribed burn managers. |
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |