HB 2563 creates a temporary self-insurance pool for Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers (CIPBMs), managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service. The goal of the legislation is to provide general liability insurance coverage to certified professionals conducting prescribed burns—an essential land management tool—when affordable private insurance options may not be available. The bill establishes a structured program to identify, mitigate, and Insure risks related strictly to prescribed burning operations carried out by CIPBMs under Chapter 153 of the Natural Resources Code.
The bill authorizes the Texas A&M Forest Service to develop and administer the program, set participation standards, hire staff, and implement training requirements. Specifically, participating CIPBMs must complete a wildfire suppression course focused on coordination with fire departments and managing unintended wildfire escapes. The self-insurance pool is capped financially by the assets of the fund itself, which may be composed of up to $25 million appropriated by the Legislature, fees collected from participants, and any accrued interest.
Importantly, the bill limits coverage strictly to prescribed burning, excluding other risks such as workers’ compensation, vehicle liability, or professional errors and omissions. The program’s fee structure and cost-sharing requirements—including deductibles—are designed to ensure sustainability without exposing the broader state budget to open-ended liabilities. Through a time-limited and tightly focused intervention, HB 2563 seeks to maintain the availability of prescribed burning services in Texas while enhancing safety, training, and risk management.
The substituted version of HB 2563 introduces several notable differences from the originally filed version (H.B. 2563), reflecting refinements in program scope, eligibility, administrative discretion, and legislative clarity.
One of the most significant changes is in terminology and focus. The originally filed bill refers broadly to “prescribed burn managers,” while the committee substitute narrows this to “Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers (CIPBMs)”—explicitly tying eligibility to certification under Section 153.048 of the Natural Resources Code. This change adds precision and ensures that only fully credentialed individuals participate in the program, tightening risk management controls.
Additionally, the substitute version simplifies eligibility for coverage. In the filed version, participation approval depends on whether the individual prescribed burns meet service-determined eligibility and safety standards. In contrast, the substitute allows participation if the individual is certified under law, shifting from a burn-by-burn evaluation to a person-based qualification. This change streamlines the approval process and reduces administrative burden.
The training requirement language was also revised. The original bill mandated that the training course align with National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards; the substitute removes this external benchmark and instead aligns the course with Texas-specific standards for prescribed burn certification. This enhances local control and flexibility while maintaining professional rigor.
Finally, the expiration provision was changed. The original bill included a sunset date of September 1, 2040, after which unused funds would transfer to a fire contingency account. This provision is absent in the substitute, suggesting that the new version either leaves the duration open-ended or defers the expiration mechanism to a future amendment or rule. This omission indicates a potential shift toward a longer-term or permanent program structure, depending on future legislative oversight.
Overall, the Committee Substitute clarifies, simplifies, and tightens eligibility and administration, likely to facilitate implementation while maintaining policy intent.
Contact the Author
Rep. Trent Ashby
