Regular Session
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
No immediate amendments required. However, legal departments should review existing Mutual Aid Agreements or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with local Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs). If your facility relies on a rural VFD for emergency response, this study may officially designate that VFD as "deficient," potentially voiding insurance assumptions regarding response times and capabilities.
No immediate changes. Continue current safety training protocols. Be advised that future legislation may tie state funding for rural training to industry-specific surcharges based on the findings of this study.
No statutory filing required.
No immediate impact. The fiscal note indicates costs are absorbed by the state. Future cost risks include potential increases in property insurance premiums if rural fire ratings are downgraded based on the study's published data.
The statute grants TEEX broad discretion under Section 1(b)(4) to evaluate "any other factor the service considers relevant" regarding the disparity between rural and urban services.
Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.
Schedule ConsultationInformation presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS |
| H.B. 2128 |
| By: Spiller |
| Agriculture & Livestock |
| Committee Report (Unamended) |
| BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The author has informed the committee that rural communities often face more challenges in maintaining sufficient firefighting and technical rescue services compared to their urban counterparts due to limited funding, shortages of trained personnel, and lack of access to affordable training. To help ensure the state has the data necessary to develop policies supporting rural emergency response efforts, H.B. 2128 requires the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to conduct a study to evaluate the disparities between rural and urban firefighting and technical rescue service capabilities and provide recommendations for improvement.
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| CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
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| RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
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| ANALYSIS H.B. 2128 requires the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to conduct a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue service capabilities and compare those capabilities with those of urban municipalities. The bill requires the study to consider disparities in the following factors: ·available funding for personnel and equipment; ·the number of qualified candidates to fill new or vacant firefighting and rescue personnel positions; ·opportunities for affordable training for firefighting and rescue personnel; and ·any other factor the extension service considers relevant. The bill requires the extension service, not later than December 1, 2026, to submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that includes the findings of the study and any recommendations based on the study. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2027.
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| EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
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| H.B. No. 2128 | ||
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| relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue | ||
| service capabilities. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. STUDY ON RURAL FIREFIGHTING AND TECHNICAL RESCUE | ||
| SERVICE CAPABILITIES. (a) In this Act, "service" means the Texas | ||
| A&M Engineering Extension Service. | ||
| (b) The service shall conduct a study of rural firefighting | ||
| and technical rescue service capabilities and compare those | ||
| capabilities with those of urban municipalities. The study must | ||
| consider disparities in: | ||
| (1) available funding for personnel and equipment; | ||
| (2) the number of qualified candidates to fill new or | ||
| vacant firefighting and rescue personnel positions; | ||
| (3) opportunities for affordable training for | ||
| firefighting and rescue personnel; and | ||
| (4) any other factor the service considers relevant. | ||
| SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the | ||
| service shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and | ||
| the speaker of the house of representatives a report that includes | ||
| the findings of the study and any recommendations based on the | ||
| study. | ||
| SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027. | ||
| SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Ryan Guillen, Chair, House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2128 by Spiller (Relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue service capabilities.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 716 Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, TUf, LBO, CPo |
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Common questions about HB2128
HB2128 mandates a state-level gap analysis of rural emergency response capabilities, effective immediately. While this legislation imposes no immediate regulatory burden on private industry, it initiates a data-collection phase likely to substantiate future tax, insurance, or safety mandates for industrial operators in rural Texas during the 2027 legislative session. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate).
HB2128 was authored by Texas Representative David Spiller during the Regular Session.
HB2128 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.
HB2128 is enforced by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
The compliance urgency for HB2128 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of HB2128 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
HB2128 addresses topics including fire fighters & police, fire fighters & police--general, health, health--emergency services & personnel and texas a&m engineering extension service.
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