TX SB34

Texas A&M Forest Service and West Texas A&M University must jointly conduct a study on fuel loading conditions in wildfire risk zones, assessing risks to residents, property, and ecology, with a report due to state leadership by December 1, 2026

The study must evaluate economic impacts of wildfires including projected losses, reconstruction costs, agricultural production losses, and compare mitigation investment costs against protected property values

Texas A&M Forest Service is required to create and maintain a real-time statewide database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response, searchable by location and equipment type, accessible to all fire departments

At least 10% of Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program appropriations must be allocated to volunteer fire departments in areas determined to be at high risk for large wildfires

Takes effect September 1, 2025; the fuel loading study provision expires May 1, 2027