81R3994 KSD-D
By: McReynolds H.B. No. 2914
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a fuel mitigation pilot grant
program for fire departments.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 88.121 to read as follows:
Sec. 88.121. FUEL MITIGATION PILOT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The
Texas Forest Service, with the advice of the advisory committee
appointed under Section 614.073, Government Code, shall:
(1) administer a pilot program under this section to
provide grants to fire departments to assist with the costs of fuel
mitigation; and
(2) adopt rules consistent with this section as
necessary to implement this section, including rules establishing:
(A) reasonable criteria and qualifications for
the distribution of grant money under the pilot program; and
(B) a procedure for reporting and processing
requests for grant money under the pilot program.
(b) The Texas Forest Service may solicit and accept gifts,
grants, and donations from any public or private source for
purposes of this section.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2010, the director shall
submit a written report to the legislature on the effectiveness of
the pilot program in mitigating fuel hazards.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 614.075(b), Government Code,
money in the rural volunteer fire department insurance fund may
also be used for purposes of the pilot program under this section.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2011.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the director of the Texas Forest Service shall adopt
rules for the administration of the fuel mitigation pilot grant
program as required by Section 88.121, Education Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.