CHAPTER 153. PRESCRIBED BURNING
NATURAL RESOURCES CODE
TITLE 6. TIMBER
CHAPTER 153. PRESCRIBED BURNING
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 153.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the Prescribed Burning Board.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.01, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.002. LANDOWNER'S RIGHT TO CONDUCT BURNS NOT LIMITED.
This chapter does not limit a landowner's right to conduct burns
on the landowner's property.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 153.003. LIABILITY. This chapter does not modify a
landowner's liability for property damage, personal injury, or
death resulting from a burn that is not conducted as provided by
this chapter.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 153.004. PRESCRIBED BURNING IN STATE OF EMERGENCY OR
DISASTER. A certified and insured prescribed burn manager may
conduct a burn in a county in which a state of emergency or state
of disaster has been declared by the governor or the president of
the United States, unless the declaration expressly prohibits all
outdoor burning.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.02, eff. September 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER B. PRESCRIBED BURNING BOARD
Sec. 153.041. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The Prescribed Burning Board
is established within the department and is composed of:
(1) an employee of the Texas Forest Service designated by the
director of the Texas Forest Service;
(2) an employee of the Parks and Wildlife Department appointed
by the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(3) an employee of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
appointed by the executive director of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality;
(4) an employee of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service
appointed by the executive director of the Texas AgriLife
Extension Service;
(5) an employee of Texas AgriLife Research appointed by the
director of Texas AgriLife Research;
(6) an employee of the Texas Tech University Range and Wildlife
Department appointed by the dean of the Texas Tech University
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources;
(7) an employee of the department appointed by the commissioner
of agriculture;
(8) an employee of the State Soil and Water Conservation Board
appointed by the executive director of the State Soil and Water
Conservation Board; and
(9) five persons who are:
(A) owners of agricultural land, as that term is defined by
Section 153.081;
(B) self-employed or employed by a person other than a
governmental entity; and
(C) appointed by the commissioner of agriculture.
(b) A member serves for a two-year term.
(c) The board shall, by majority vote, elect a presiding officer
from the members of the board.
(d) Appointments to the board shall be made without regard to
the race, creed, sex, disability, age, religion, or national
origin of the appointees.
(e) It is a ground for removal from the board that a member:
(1) does not have at the time of appointment the qualifications
required by Subsection (a) for appointment to the board;
(2) does not maintain during the service on the board the
qualifications required by Subsection (a) for appointment to the
board;
(3) cannot because of illness or disability discharge the
member's duties for a substantial part of the term for which the
member is appointed; or
(4) is absent from more than half of the regularly scheduled
board meetings that the member is eligible to attend during a
calendar year unless the absence is excused by majority vote of
the board.
(f) The validity of an action of the board is not affected by
the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of a member
of the board existed.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.03, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.042. INFORMATION RELATING TO STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. The
presiding officer of the board or the presiding officer's
designee shall provide to members of the board, as often as
necessary, information regarding their qualification for office
under this chapter and their responsibilities under applicable
laws relating to standards of conduct for state officers.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 153.043. MEMBER TRAINING. (a) A person appointed to the
board is not eligible for membership on the board unless the
person completes at least one training program that complies with
this section.
(b) The training program must provide information to the member
regarding:
(1) this chapter;
(2) the programs operated by the board;
(3) the role and functions of the board;
(4) the requirements of Chapters 551, 552, and 2001, Government
Code;
(5) the requirements of the conflict of interest laws and other
laws relating to public officials; and
(6) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the board or the
Texas Ethics Commission.
(c) A person appointed to the board is entitled to reimbursement
for travel expenses incurred in attending the training program as
provided by the General Appropriations Act as if the person were
a member of the board.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 153.044. SUNSET PROVISION. The Prescribed Burning Board is
subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). The
board shall be reviewed during the period in which the Department
of Agriculture is reviewed.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1112, Sec. 2.04, eff.
Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
1227, Sec. 3.05, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
928, Sec. 2.04, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.04, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.045. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) The board shall establish an
advisory board of members of the public, including individuals
representing:
(1) property owners;
(2) agriculture, forestry, and livestock producers;
(3) conservation interests;
(4) environmental interests; and
(5) insurance interests.
(b) The board shall determine the number of persons and manner
of selection of the advisory board.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 153.046. DUTIES. The board shall:
(1) establish standards for prescribed burning;
(2) develop a comprehensive training curriculum for certified
and insured prescribed burn managers;
(3) establish standards for certification, recertification, and
training for certified and insured prescribed burn managers;
(4) establish minimum education and professional requirements
for instructors for the approved curriculum; and
(5) establish minimum insurance requirements for certified and
insured prescribed burn managers.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.05, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.047. PRESCRIBED BURNING STANDARDS. Minimum standards
established by the board for prescribed burning must:
(1) ensure that prescribed burning is the controlled application
of fire to naturally occurring or naturalized vegetative fuels
under specified environmental conditions in accordance with a
written prescription plan:
(A) designed to confine the fire to a predetermined area and to
accomplish planned land management objectives; and
(B) that conforms to the standards established under this
section;
(2) require that at least one certified and insured prescribed
burn manager is present on site during the conduct of the
prescribed burn;
(3) establish appropriate guidelines for size of burning crews
sufficient to:
(A) conduct the burn in accordance with the prescription plan;
and
(B) provide adequate protection for the safety of persons and of
adjacent property;
(4) include standards for notification to adjacent land owners,
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and local fire
authorities; and
(5) include minimum insurance requirements for certified and
insured prescribed burn managers.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.06, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.048. CERTIFICATION OF PRESCRIBED BURN MANAGERS. (a)
Minimum standards established by the board for certification as a
prescribed burn manager must require the completion of the
approved training curriculum to be developed and promulgated by
the board and taught by an approved instructor.
(b) The board shall certify a person as a prescribed burn
manager if the person:
(1) applies to the board for certification;
(2) demonstrates completion of an approved training program by
an approved instructor; and
(3) pays a fee to the board in an amount determined by the
board.
(c) The certification is for two years.
(d) A person may renew certification only by completing a
continuing education program established by the board.
(e) The board shall maintain a register of certified and insured
prescribed burn managers and dates of completion of initial and
continuing training.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.07, eff. September 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER C. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY
Sec. 153.081. LIMITATION OF OWNER LIABILITY. (a) Subject to
Section 153.082, an owner, lessee, or occupant of agricultural
land is not liable for property damage or for injury or death to
persons caused by or resulting from prescribed burning conducted
on the land owned by, leased by, or occupied by the person if the
prescribed burning is conducted under the supervision of a
certified and insured prescribed burn manager.
(b) This section does not apply to an owner, lessee, or occupant
of agricultural land who is a certified and insured prescribed
burn manager and conducts a burn on that land.
(c) In this section, "agricultural land" means land that is
located in this state and that is suitable for:
(1) use and production of plants and fruits for human or animal
consumption or plants grown for the production of fibers,
floriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or planting seed;
(2) forestry and the growing of trees for the purpose of
rendering those trees into lumber, fiber, or other items used for
industrial, commercial, or personal consumption;
(3) domestic or native farm or ranch animals kept for use or
profit; or
(4) management of native or exotic wildlife.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.08, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.082. INSURANCE. The limitation on liability under
Section 153.081 does not apply to an owner, lessee, or occupant
of agricultural land unless the certified and insured prescribed
burn manager conducting a burn on the land has liability
insurance coverage:
(1) of at least $1 million for each single occurrence of bodily
injury or death, or injury to or destruction of property; and
(2) with a policy period minimum aggregate limit of at least $2
million.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1432, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 829, Sec. 1, eff.
Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.09, eff. September 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER D. COMPLAINTS, ENFORCEMENT, AND PENALTIES
Sec. 153.101. COMPLAINTS. The department shall receive and
process complaints concerning certified and insured prescribed
burn managers in the manner described by Section 12.026,
Agriculture Code, and rules adopted under that section.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.10, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.102. DISCIPLINARY ACTION; SCHEDULE OF SANCTIONS. (a)
The department may impose an administrative sanction, including
an administrative penalty, as provided by Sections 12.020,
12.0201, 12.0202, and 12.0261, Agriculture Code, for a violation
of this chapter.
(b) The department by rule shall adopt a schedule of the
disciplinary sanctions that the department may impose under this
chapter. In adopting the schedule of sanctions, the department
shall ensure that the severity of the sanction imposed is
appropriate to the type of violation or conduct that is the basis
for disciplinary action.
(c) In determining the appropriate disciplinary action,
including the amount of any administrative penalty to assess, the
department shall consider:
(1) whether the person:
(A) is being disciplined for multiple violations of either this
chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter; or
(B) has previously been the subject of disciplinary action by
the department under this chapter and has previously complied
with department rules and this chapter;
(2) the seriousness of the violation;
(3) the threat to public safety; and
(4) any mitigating factors.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.10, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.103. INJUNCTION. (a) The department may apply to a
district court in any county for an injunction to restrain a
person who is not a certified and insured prescribed burn manager
from representing that the person is a certified and insured
prescribed burn manager.
(b) At the request of the department, the attorney general shall
initiate and conduct an action in a district court in the state's
name to obtain an injunction under this section.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.10, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 153.104. EMERGENCY SUSPENSION. (a) On determining that a
certification holder is engaged in or about to engage in a
violation of this chapter and that the certification holder's
continued practice constitutes an immediate threat to the public
welfare, the department may issue an order suspending the
certification holder's certification without notice or a hearing.
The department shall immediately serve notice of the suspension
on the certification holder.
(b) The notice required by Subsection (a) must:
(1) be personally served on the certification holder or be sent
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
certification holder's last known address according to the
department's records;
(2) state the grounds for the suspension; and
(3) inform the certification holder of the right to a hearing on
the suspension order.
(c) A certification holder whose certification is suspended
under this section is entitled to request a hearing on the
suspension not later than the 30th day after the date of receipt
of notice of the suspension. Not later than the fifth day after
the date a hearing is requested, the department shall issue a
notice of hearing.
(d) A hearing on a suspension order under this section is
subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code. If the hearing is
before an administrative law judge, after the hearing, the
administrative law judge shall recommend to the department
whether to uphold, vacate, or modify the suspension order.
(e) A suspension order issued under this section remains in
effect until further action is taken by the department. If the
administrative law judge's recommendation under Subsection (d) is
to vacate the order, the department shall determine whether to
vacate the order not later than the second day after the date of
the recommendation.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 2.10, eff. September 1, 2009.