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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in |
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the state available for use in responding to wildfires. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 418.004, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivision (15) to read as follows: |
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(15) "Forest service" means the Texas A&M Forest |
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Service. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 418, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 418.059 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 418.059. STATEWIDE DATABASE OF FIREFIGHTING |
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EQUIPMENT. (a) The forest service shall create and maintain a |
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comprehensive database that shows in real time the statewide |
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inventory of firefighting equipment that is available for use in |
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responding to wildfires. |
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(b) The database must: |
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(1) include a description of the type of firefighting |
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equipment each fire department in the state has available for use in |
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responding to wildfires; |
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(2) include contact information for the fire |
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department that has the equipment; |
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(3) be searchable by location and equipment type; and |
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(4) be accessible by all fire departments in the state |
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and allow each fire department to update the information in the |
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database regarding the equipment the fire department has available. |
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(c) The forest service may assist fire departments who |
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choose to provide equipment information in updating the database |
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annually or as soon as practicable after any change in the |
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availability of the department's firefighting equipment. |
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(d) In this section, "fire department" includes a volunteer |
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fire department or an emergency services district. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |