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.
The 89th Texas Legislative Session ended June 2, 2025, 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 above the current base funding includes:
- $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 (bill lookup):
- SB 34 (Sparks) 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 (Ashby) Relating to the establishment of the temporary prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool; authorizing a fee.
- HB 4464 (Gonzalez) Relating to removing the requirement of provision of workers’ compensation insurance coverage for Texas Task Force 1, TIFMAS, and regional IMT 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.
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forest Service
