SB767

Regular Session

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

Q: What does Texas SB767 do?

Senate Bill 767 imposes a statutory mandate on all Texas fire departments—municipal, county, volunteer, and special districts—to participate in a centralized, real-time wildfire equipment database managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS). This legislation shifts asset management from static annual reporting to a dynamic duty, requiring departments to update equipment availability status immediately upon any change in serviceability. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Departments must populate the database immediately upon TFS launch (projected Q4 2025) and maintain real-time accuracy thereafter.

Q: Who authored SB767?

SB767 was authored by Texas Senator Kevin Sparks during the Regular Session.

Q: When was SB767 signed into law?

SB767 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 19, 2025.

Q: Which agencies enforce SB767?

SB767 is enforced by Texas A&M Forest Service.

Q: How urgent is compliance with SB767?

The compliance urgency for SB767 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q: What is the cost impact of SB767?

The cost impact of SB767 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q: What topics does SB767 address?

SB767 addresses topics including electronic information systems, fire fighters & police, fire fighters & police--general, fire fighters & police--volunteer and fire safety & prevention.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas A&M Forest Service

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: Departments must populate the database immediately upon TFS launch (projected Q4 2025) and maintain real-time accuracy thereafter.
Agency Rulemaking: TFS is responsible for designing the system and defining data standards between now and September 2025. Departments are currently in a "regulatory gray zone" regarding specific technical requirements (APIs vs. manual entry) and equipment categorization definitions.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Conduct Physical Audit: Perform a 100% physical inventory of all wildfire-capable assets immediately to reconcile current records.
2. Designate Responsibility: Appoint a Compliance Officer specifically for SB767 reporting; do not leave this as a general administrative task.
3. Define "Practicable": Update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to define "as soon as practicable" as a specific timeframe (e.g., "End of Shift" or "Within 24 Hours").
4. Contact Software Vendors: If using fleet management software, formally inquire if they are preparing for Texas SB767 integration.
5. Monitor TFS Announcements: Subscribe to Texas A&M Forest Service regulatory updates to catch the release of the technical definitions and portal launch date.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Mutual Aid Agreements (MAAs): Review and amend existing MAAs. Replace static equipment lists with clauses referencing the TFS database as the "source of truth" for resource availability to avoid liability during deployment failures.
Vendor Software Contracts: If utilizing third-party fleet management software, review contracts to determine if the vendor supports data integration with state agencies or if an addendum is required for API development.

Hiring/Training

Designated Reporting Officer: Assign a specific staff member or officer responsible for database interface. This role requires training on TFS data standards to ensure internal inventory codes map correctly to state definitions.
Protocol Training: Operational staff must be trained to report equipment status changes (e.g., "Truck 4 is out for transmission repair") to the Reporting Officer immediately, rather than waiting for maintenance logs.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Real-Time Status Updates: The law requires updates "as soon as practicable" after equipment availability changes. Establish an internal workflow to ensure this occurs within 24 hours of a status change.
Annual Verification: Departments must respond to an electronic inquiry from TFS annually to verify the accuracy of their contact information and inventory.
Audit Trails: Maintain an internal log of all data submissions to TFS to serve as a defense against negligence claims in the event of a wildfire response failure attributed to bad data.

Fees & Costs

Direct Fees: None.
Indirect Costs: Budget for administrative man-hours required for initial data population and ongoing maintenance. Non-compliance may threaten eligibility for future TFS grant funding (e.g., HB 2604 grants).

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Definition of "Equipment": The statute does not define the granularity of reporting. It is unclear if this applies solely to rolling stock (engines, dozers) or extends to ancillary equipment (pumps, specialized PPE). Monitor TFS guidance for the official asset taxonomy.
"As Soon As Practicable": This legal standard is subjective and creates liability exposure. Without a specific hour-count in the statute, departments must define this internally (recommended: <24 hours) to establish a standard of care.
Integration Capabilities: It is currently unknown if TFS will offer an API for automatic syncing with existing fleet software or if manual entry will be the only option.

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Information 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.

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsElectronic Information Systems Fire Fighters & Police Fire Fighters & Police--general Fire Fighters & Police--volunteer Fire Safety & Prevention Texas A&m Forest Service Disaster Preparedness & Relief

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 767
	By: Sparks
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	2/26/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

On May 1, 2024, the Texas House Investigative Committee on Panhandle Wildfires recommended improved wildfire mitigation through better information-sharing and a centralized database of firefighting equipment. While the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) currently tracks response assets by office location, testimony highlighted the need for statewide, updatable database information that is accessible to fire departments. This would allow departments to share and locate equipment more effectively during emergencies, improving coordination and planning. The committee urged TAMFS, with legislative support, to develop a county-by-county database to create a comprehensive, real-time inventory for wildfire response.

This bill directs the Texas A&M Forest Service to create and maintain a real-time, statewide database of firefighting equipment available for wildfire response. The database must include equipment descriptions, fire department contact information, and allow searches by location and equipment type. It must also be accessible to all fire departments, enabling them to update their information. Volunteer fire departments and emergency services districts are included, and the forest service may assist with annual updates or changes in equipment availability.

As proposed, S.B. 767 amends current law relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 418.004, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (15) to define "forest service."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 418.004, Government Code, by adding Section 418.059, as follows:

Sec. 418.059. STATEWIDE DATABASE OF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT. (a) Requires the forest services to 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.

(b) Requires that the database include a description of the type of firefighting equipment each fire department in the state has available for use in responding to wildfires, include contact information for the fire department that has the equipment, be searchable by location and equipment type, and 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.

(c) Authorizes the forest service to assist fire departments who choose to provide equipment information in updating the database annually or as soon as practicable after any change in the availability of the department's firefighting equipment.

(d) Provides that, in this section, "fire department" includes a volunteer fire department or an emergency services district.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Kevin SparksRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (4)

House Sponsors

Rep. Caroline FairlyRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 767

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	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.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 1, 2025

TO:	Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB767 by Sparks (Relating to creating a database of the firefighting equipment in the state available for use in responding to wildfires.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

576 Texas A&M Forest Service, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices

LBB Staff:

JMc, FV, LBO, CPo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB767

What does Texas SB767 do?

Senate Bill 767 imposes a statutory mandate on all Texas fire departments—municipal, county, volunteer, and special districts—to participate in a centralized, real-time wildfire equipment database managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS). This legislation shifts asset management from static annual reporting to a dynamic duty, requiring departments to update equipment availability status immediately upon any change in serviceability. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Departments must populate the database immediately upon TFS launch (projected Q4 2025) and maintain real-time accuracy thereafter.

Who authored SB767?