Bill > HB2563

This bill establishes a temporary self-insurance program for Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers (CIPBMs) in Texas, administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service. The program will create a self-insurance fund of up to $25 million to provide general liability coverage for prescribed burns, with specific restrictions on what types of insurance are covered. Participants must be certified prescribed burn managers and will be required to complete a wildfire suppression course, pay a reasonable fee, and report data about their prescribed burns, including acres burned, date, and any financial losses. The program includes provisions for managing risks associated with prescribed burns, maintaining a loss-prevention program, and establishing clear guidelines for participation. CIPBMs who make excessive claims may be removed from the program or face disciplinary action. The self-insurance program is designed to help land managers conduct controlled burns more safely and with financial protection, and it will expire on September 1, 2040, with any remaining funds transferred to a statewide fire contingency account. The bill limits the state's liability to the assets of the fund and requires the service to set appropriate deductibles to ensure the coverage is used only for significant losses.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2563