BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 767
	By: Sparks
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	8/20/2025
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

On May 1, 2024, the Texas House Investigative Committee on Panhandle Wildfires recommended improved wildfire mitigation through better information-sharing and a centralized database of firefighting equipment. While the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) currently tracks response assets by office location, testimony highlighted the need for statewide, updatable database information that is accessible to fire departments. This would allow departments to share and locate equipment more effectively during emergencies, improving coordination and planning. The committee urged TAMFS, with legislative support, to develop a county-by-county database to create a comprehensive, real-time inventory for wildfire response.

This bill directs the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a real-time, statewide database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response. The database must include equipment descriptions, fire department contact information, and allow searches by location and equipment type. It must also be accessible to all fire departments, enabling them to update their information. Volunteer fire departments and emergency services districts are included, and the forest service may assist with annual updates or changes in equipment availability

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S.B. 767 amends current law relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, by adding Section 88.1255, as follows:

Sec. 88.1255. STATEWIDE DATABASE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT. (a) Defines "fire department."

(b) Requires the Texas Forest Service (TFS) to create and maintain a comprehensive database that shows in real time the statewide inventory of firefighting equipment that is available for use in responding to wildfires.

(c) Requires that the database meet certain criteria.

(d) Requires TFS to assist a fire department that provides equipment information to the database in updating the database annually or as soon as practicable after any change in the availability of the department's firefighting equipment. Requires TFS to use an electronic notification system to remind fire departments, at least once each calendar year, to update the availability of the department's firefighting equipment.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.