Rep. Garza Introduces Emergency Bill to Aid Texas Volunteer Firefighters (HB 3863)

A truck is forced to turn around by a fire in Potter County, Texas. (Wildfire Today)

     In Texas, so far, over 2.2 million acres have been burned by the devastating wild fires rampant throughout the state. A total of 1,100 buildings have also been destroyed including hundreds of homes. The effort to contain and stop the fires have fallen to the brave firefighters of the state. This is not an easy or cheap task, with costs estimated at $2 million a day (KTXS News). Over 500 men and women work throughout the day to put out the fires that ravage the Texan landscape. Much of them, volunteers that rely on fundraisers to pay for their costs.

     This is where the fundamental problem lies. The State only permits two tax exempt fundraisers for volunteer firefighters every year. Seeing that this year alone; containing the fire looks to be an incredibly expensive task, firefighters need to find means to create revenue to pay for equipment and support.

     That is why State Rep. John V Garza (R- San Antonio), has introduced a bill that would help aide the fighters by allowing them 10 tax exempt fundraisers for the next two years. In House Bill 3863, volunteer firefighters are allowed to make more money and fund their efforts in protecting the State and the people living in the threatened homes.

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