Bill > HB5424

This bill modifies the compensation limits for volunteer firefighters in Texas by clarifying and specifying how much additional compensation a fire department can provide to its volunteer or auxiliary firefighters in a calendar year. Specifically, the bill limits compensation to no more than 20 percent of the highest total compensation paid to full-time fire protection personnel either in the county where the fire department is located or, if that county does not have full-time fire personnel, in an adjacent county. The previous language was more vague, stating only that compensation could not be to the extent that a volunteer would be considered fully paid fire protection personnel. The bill provides a more precise financial threshold for volunteer firefighter compensation, which helps ensure that volunteer firefighters are appropriately compensated while preventing them from being treated as equivalent to full-time paid firefighters. The legislation will take effect on September 1, 2026, giving fire departments time to adjust their compensation practices to comply with the new rule.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5424