Texas Senate Bill SB960

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the regulation of prescribed burning by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Impact

The implications of SB960 are significant as it outlines clear provisions for the management of prescribed burns, which are crucial for ecological health and land management in Texas. It grants the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality the authority to regulate these activities while explicitly noting limitations against imposing stringent requirements that could hinder prescribed burning efforts. This approach is aimed at balancing environmental concerns with the need for proactive land management practices.

Summary

Senate Bill 960 focuses on regulating prescribed burning practices in Texas by amending the Health and Safety Code. The bill aims to authorize certified and insured prescribed burn managers to oversee prescribed burns, particularly for forest management, ranching, wildlife conservation, and wildfire hazard mitigation. This legislative change seeks to enhance the efficient use of prescribed burning as a land management tool while ensuring that these activities are conducted under proper guidelines and standards set by the state.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB960 include the potential environmental impacts of controlled burns and the adequacy of oversight provided by certified burn managers. Critics may raise concerns about air quality and the effects of smoke on surrounding communities as prescribed burns can produce significant smoke and emissions. Supporters, however, argue that with appropriate management, prescribed burning can reduce wildfire hazards, enhance wildlife habitats, and improve land health without severe adverse effects on air quality.