Bill

HB 2119

84(R) - 2015
Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

J.M. Lozano

Co-Author(s)

Ryan Guillen
Andrew Murr

Bill Caption

Relating to charitable organizations, including charitable organizations that may conduct prescribed burning.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would add criteria to the list of charitable organizations authorized to conduct prescribed burns. A prescribed burning organization could be one that is an organization or corporation organized and operated exclusively for wildfire mitigation, range management, or prescribed burning purposes,and if it meets certain exempt organization standards under federal law. 

Bill Analysis

HB 2119, if passed, would modify the Civil Practice and Remedies Code (Section 84.003(1)) to allow certain types of nonprofit organizations (those organized under sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(5) of the Federal Revenue Code) to engage in prescribed burning (as defined by the Natural Resources Code) provided the lead member of the prescribed burning has completed the relevant training required to engage in prescribed burn activities. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 2119 is a beneficial bill in that it allows the more flexibility when conducting prescribed burns while potentially saving the state money, and simultaneously, maintains appropriate training requirements to protect nearby property owners from harm caused by a prescribed burn conducted by untrained individuals. As such, we support HB 2119.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Farm Bureau