Bill > SB2990

This bill removes workers' compensation insurance coverage requirements for members of Texas Task Force 1, intrastate fire mutual aid system teams, and regional incident management teams. Specifically, the bill eliminates these groups from being automatically considered "employees" for workers' compensation purposes, effectively excluding them from standard state workers' compensation coverage. The bill defines these teams as specialized emergency response groups coordinated by the Texas A&M Forest Service, which assist with disaster response and search and rescue efforts. The legislation provides detailed definitions for these teams and their members, clarifying that individuals who are not direct employees of Texas A&M University System and are officially designated team members will no longer be guaranteed workers' compensation benefits. The changes will apply only to claims for injuries occurring on or after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning prior injury claims will still be governed by existing law. Additionally, the bill repeals several related sections of the Education and Labor Codes that previously established these groups' workers' compensation coverage.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2990