SB 34 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to funding for certain volunteer fire departments, to the preparation for and the prevention, management, and potential effects of wildfires, and to emergency communications in this state.

This bill (SB 34) requires the Texas A&M Forest Service and West Texas A&M University to jointly study wildfire risks across the state, focusing on combustible material buildup ("fuel loading") in different zones and assessing economic impacts like property loss and mitigation costs. It authorizes an increase in insurance assessments on certain insurers to fund the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund, directly supporting volunteer fire departments. The study will identify high-risk areas and evaluate whether wildfire mitigation investments protect property value. The law, signed by the governor in June 2025, becomes effective September 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized from its engrossed version to enrolled version, with the primary substantive change being the addition of specific geographic targeting for wildfire funding assistance. The enrolled version clarifies that 10% of volunteer fire department assistance funds must be allocated to departments in areas the Texas A&M Forest Service determines are at high risk for large wildfires, adding a new eligibility criterion that was missing in the earlier draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed regarding funding eligibility by adding a requirement that 10% of assistance funds be directed specifically to volunteer fire departments in high-risk wildfire areas as determined by the Texas A&M Forest Service.

FISCAL

Added a requirement that at least 10% of appropriations for volunteer fire department assistance must be allocated to departments located in areas the Texas A&M Forest Service determines are at high risk for large wildfires.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the eligibility criteria for wildfire assistance funding by introducing a geographic risk assessment requirement, ensuring funds prioritize high-risk areas rather than being available for any volunteer fire department request.

TIMELINE

Added an effective date of September 1, 2025, and maintained an expiration date of May 1, 2027, for the wildfire study and related provisions.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Jun 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 28, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 28, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 20, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (140-0-4)

house

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors