Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

In Layman's Terms

SB 767 requires the Texas A&M Forest Service to create a statewide database of firefighting equipment to help fire departments quickly locate and share resources during wildfires. The bill is intended to improve coordination and mutual aid without requiring departments to purchase new equipment.

Digest

SB 767 requires the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a statewide, real-time database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response. The database is intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of equipment maintained by fire departments across Texas, enabling emergency responders to quickly identify available resources during wildfire incidents. The legislation defines the Texas A&M Forest Service as the responsible agency for administering the database and integrating information submitted by participating departments.

Under the bill, the database must include the types of firefighting equipment each participating fire department has available for wildfire response, contact information for the department possessing the equipment, and search functionality that allows users to locate resources by both geographic location and equipment type. The system must be accessible to all fire departments in the state, with participating departments able to update their equipment inventories as availability changes. The Texas A&M Forest Service is also authorized to assist departments in updating their information annually or whenever significant changes occur. For purposes of the bill, "fire department" expressly includes volunteer fire departments and emergency services districts.

Overall, SB 767 seeks to improve coordination and situational awareness during wildfire responses by creating a centralized, statewide inventory of firefighting resources. Rather than mandating the acquisition of new equipment or altering emergency response authority, the bill focuses on enhancing information sharing and resource coordination among state and local firefighting entities. By improving visibility into available wildfire response assets, the legislation aims to facilitate faster deployment of equipment and more efficient mutual aid during wildfire emergencies.

Author (1)

Kevin Sparks

Co-Author (4)

Cesar Blanco Sarah Eckhardt Adam Hinojosa Lois Kolkhorst

Sponsor (3)

Caroline Fairly Ken King John Smithee

Contact the Author

Sen. Kevin Sparks

Capitol Phone:

Capitol Office:

EXT E1.708

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SB 767 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state. Although the bill requires the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a real-time statewide database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response, the associated development, maintenance, and administrative costs are expected to be absorbed using existing agency resources. As a result, the legislation is not anticipated to require additional appropriations or materially increase state expenditures.

The fiscal note indicates that both the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices can implement the bill within their current operating budgets. This suggests that the database can be developed and maintained through existing personnel and information technology resources rather than requiring the creation of new programs or significant investments in infrastructure.

The LBB also anticipates no fiscal implications for local governments. Although fire departments may voluntarily provide and update information regarding their available equipment, these responsibilities are not expected to impose meaningful costs on local entities. Overall, SB 767 is projected to have a negligible fiscal impact at both the state and local levels while improving coordination of wildfire response resources.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on SB 767 because it improves wildfire preparedness by enhancing coordination among Texas fire departments without imposing significant new regulatory burdens or expanding governmental authority over emergency response. The bill directs the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a real-time, statewide database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response, allowing fire departments to quickly identify available resources during emergencies. The legislation stems from recommendations made following the 2024 Panhandle Wildfires, which identified improved information sharing and resource visibility as important opportunities to strengthen wildfire response capabilities.

The database is designed to serve as a coordination tool rather than a regulatory mechanism. It includes descriptions of available equipment, contact information, and searchable functionality while allowing participating fire departments to update their own inventories. Volunteer fire departments and emergency services districts are expressly included, and the Texas A&M Forest Service may assist departments with maintaining current information. Importantly, the bill does not require the purchase of additional equipment, alter emergency response authority, or establish new regulatory requirements governing local fire departments. Instead, it seeks to improve the deployment of existing resources through better communication and situational awareness.

From a liberty-oriented perspective, SB 767 represents a limited administrative improvement that enhances the effectiveness of existing emergency response infrastructure without materially increasing the size or scope of government. While it assigns the Texas A&M Forest Service responsibility for maintaining the database, it does so using existing resources and without creating a new regulatory program or expanding state control over local firefighting operations. By improving coordination, promoting efficient use of existing equipment, and supporting local mutual aid during wildfire emergencies, the bill provides a practical public safety benefit while remaining consistent with the principles of limited government and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Free Enterprise

The bill has little direct effect on private markets or commercial activity. It neither regulates private businesses nor alters competitive conditions in the marketplace. While improved wildfire response may indirectly benefit businesses by reducing wildfire-related losses, the bill itself is focused exclusively on governmental coordination.

Property Rights

The bill does not alter property ownership, eminent domain authority, land use, or water rights. Although more effective wildfire response may indirectly help protect private property from wildfire damage, the legislation does not modify or expand legal protections for property owners.

Personal Responsibility

The bill encourages participating fire departments to maintain current information regarding their available firefighting equipment, promoting greater accountability and preparedness. By enabling departments to voluntarily update their inventories and participate in a shared resource network, the bill fosters responsible stewardship of existing emergency response assets without imposing significant new mandates.

Limited Government

While the bill creates a new administrative responsibility for the Texas A&M Forest Service, it does so within the agency's existing mission and resources and without establishing a new regulatory program or expanding state authority over local fire departments. The database serves as a voluntary coordination tool designed to improve the efficiency of existing emergency response capabilities rather than increasing governmental control. By leveraging existing resources to facilitate better mutual aid and information sharing, the bill represents a targeted administrative improvement consistent with limited-government principles.

Individual Liberty

The bill does not directly affect the rights or freedoms of private individuals. It neither restricts personal conduct nor expands governmental authority over citizens. The bill is limited to improving information sharing among fire departments and enhancing coordination during wildfire response.

Committee Vote Information

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs: 9Y/0N
House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock: 8Y/0N (1 Absent)

Related Legislation

HB 2063 (Same As)

View Bill Text and Status