2025S0023-2 01/16/25     By: Sparks S.B. No. 868     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program   and authorizing an increase in the assessment on certain insurers   that fund the program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 2007.002, Insurance Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 2007.002.  ASSESSMENT.  The comptroller shall assess   against all insurers to which this chapter applies amounts for each   state fiscal year necessary, as determined by the commissioner, to   collect [a combined total equal to the lesser of:                [(1)]  the total amount that the General Appropriations   Act appropriates from the volunteer fire department assistance fund   account in the general revenue fund for that state fiscal year,   other than appropriations for contributions to the Texas Emergency   Services Retirement System made under Section 614.104(d),   Government Code[; or                [(2) $30 million].          SECTION 2.  Section 614.102, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows:          (i)  At least 10 percent of appropriations for a state fiscal   year from the fund is allocated for the purpose of providing   assistance to volunteer fire departments in areas of the state   defined by the service as high risk for large wildfires.          (j)  If the amount of assistance requested in a state fiscal   year by eligible departments described by Subsection (i) is less   than the amount allocated under that subsection, the remaining   amount may be used for other types of requests for assistance   described by this subchapter.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.