HB 425 — Reporting requirements

90R3745 MP-D By: Holt H.B. No. 425 relating to reporting requirements for volunteer fire departments that receive funding from a county.

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 352, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 352.007 to read as follows: Sec. 352.007. VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTING TO COUNTY. (a) In this section, "volunteer fire department" means an association that: (1) operates fire-fighting equipment; (2) is organized primarily to provide and actively provides fire-fighting services; (3) does not pay its members compensation other than nominal compensation; and (4) does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers, or governing body, other than for reimbursement of expenses. (b) A volunteer fire department that receives money from a county shall provide a written report to the commissioners court of the county on how the department used the money. The department must provide the report to the commissioners court not later than each anniversary of the date the money was received from the county until the money is fully spent. (c) A county that receives a report under this section shall publish the report on the county's Internet website.

SECTION 2. Section 352.007, Local Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to money received on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2027.