AUSTIN – On Tuesday, March 12, Speaker Dade Phelan announced the creation of an Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires. Representative Ken King will serve as the Chair of this committee which will include Representatives Burrows and Hunter, as well as community members Jason Abraham and Ashley Cash.

“The wildfires that swept across the panhandle have devastated communities and I thank Speaker Phelan for creating this committee to look into our states response to these disasters," said King. "I look forward to working with the committee to develop suggestions for legislation that will aide the local communities in fighting these fires, increase state response efforts and ensure that when these events occur, we have the resources in place to stop them from turning into the disasters we faced this year."

The Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires has been tasked with investigating factors that contribute to wildfires, allocation of resources to and effectiveness of wildfire disaster preparedness and response, and coordination between local, state and federal governmental entities in regard to wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness and response.

"With increasing drought conditions, this matter is more important now than ever," King stated. “It is my sincere belief that through the work of this committee, the 89th Legislature can put tools in place to help our communities prepare and fight against these wildfires.”

The Speaker requested the investigative committee submit a report on its findings by May 1, 2024 that includes recommended legislative solutions for preventing future wildfires and improving disaster preparedness, response and mitigation.

For more information regarding this committee, please visit https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/?committee=C393