Texas legislators allocated approximately $630 million in new funding, above current base funding, for Texas A&M Forest Service over the next two fiscal years.

a spray of red fire retardant flows from the bottom of an aircraft over fire
Members of the Texas A&M Forest Service watch as a plane drops fire retardant on a portion of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hemphill County. New legislative funding will support the purchase of aircraft for wildfire suppression. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The 89th Texas legislative session ended June 2, and the governor signed the budget on June 22.  

The budget funds more volunteer fire department grants, the purchase and operation of wildfire suppression aircraft, motor vehicle purchases and more.

New funding to Texas A&M Forest Service

  • $257,000,000 – For the purchase and operation of wildfire suppression aircraft.
  • $192,291,000 – Volunteer fire department grants for outstanding unfunded requests.
  • $124,754,143 – Wildfire and natural disaster expenses incurred during 2023-2025.
  • $44,000,000 – Additional funding for volunteer fire department grants.
  • $2,056,918 – Motor vehicle purchases.
  • $2,044,444 – Volunteer fire department insurance from Fund 5066 increases.
  • $2,004,148 – Additional funding for group insurance.
  • $4,000,000 – Certified and insured prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool.
  • $500,000 – Database of wildland firefighting equipment in the state.

Other bills related to Texas A&M Forest Service that passed

Multiple other bills that passed will also have an impact on Texas A&M Forest Service. Here’s a look at them:

  • SB 34 – Sen. Kevin Sparks, District 31, Amarillo – 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.  
  • SB 767 – Sparks – Relating to creating a database of firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.
  • SB 868 – Sparks – Relating to the allocation of money appropriated to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
  • HB 2563 – Rep. Trent Ashby, District 9, Lufkin – Relating to the establishment of the temporary prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool; authorizing a fee.
  • HB 4464 – Rep. Mary Gonzalez, District 75, San Elizario – Relating to removing the requirement of providing workers’ compensation insurance coverage for Texas Task Force 1, TIFMAS, and regional Incident Management Team members.
  • HB 4945 – Ashby – Relating to a study conducted by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas on the feasibility of offering alternative service retirement benefits to Texas A&M Forest Service wildland firefighters who are members of the retirement system.

Read more about how the legislative session impacted members across The Texas A&M University System.

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