TITLE: Relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.

SUMMARY: Relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 88.1255 to read as follows: Sec. 88.1255. STATEWIDE DATABASE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT. (a) In this section, "fire department" means: (1) a volunteer fire department; or (2) a department of a municipality, county, or special district or authority that provides firefighting services. (b) The Texas Forest Service shall create and maintain a comprehensive database that shows in real time the statewide inventory of firefighting equipment that is available for use in responding to wildfires. (c) The database must: (1) include a description of the type of firefighting equipment each fire department in the state has available for use in responding to wildfires; (2) include contact information for the fire department that has the equipment; (3) be searchable by location and equipment type; and (4) be accessible by all fire departments in the state and allow each fire department to update the information in the database regarding the equipment the fire department has available. (d) The Texas Forest Service shall assist a fire department that provides equipment information to the database in updating the database annually or as soon as practicable after any change in the availability of the department's firefighting equipment. The Texas Forest Service shall use an electronic notification system to remind fire departments, at least once each calendar year, to update the availability of the department's firefighting equipment. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.