Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson (R) and Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) have reintroduced the Wildfire Victim Tax Relief and Recovery Act, a bill that provides financial relief to individuals and agricultural producers affected by last year’s devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle.
The legislation would ensure that income received for fire relief is exempt from federal taxes, allowing victims to focus on rebuilding rather than facing additional financial burdens.
The Texas Panhandle wildfires, which were among the largest and most destructive in Texas’ history, burned hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and severely impacted ranchers and farmers.
Responding to the issue, the lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that seeks to ease the economic hardship faced by those communities by ensuring that relief funds are used for rebuilding efforts rather than taxation.
Rep. Jackson emphasized the significance of the bill for affected families and agricultural workers in a statement, commenting that “the historic wildfires that tore through the Texas Panhandle last year have left a lasting mark on all the ranchers, families, and communities involved.” He added that he remains “committed to making sure those hit hardest by this catastrophic disaster can use the assistance they’ve received to rebuild their farms, ranches, and livelihoods, not pay the federal government.”
Senator Cruz, who introduced a companion bill in the Senate, echoed in his remarks, calling for swift passage of the bill.
“Last year, historic wildfires destroyed the Panhandle, taking the homes and livelihoods of thousands of Texans,” Senator Cruz said in a statement, adding that “this bill will deliver much-needed tax relief to support these communities in their ongoing recovery efforts. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill without delay.”
The Wildfire Victim Tax Relief and Recovery Act is expected to receive strong support from Texas lawmakers and rural advocacy groups who have pushed for greater federal assistance following the disaster.
