Relating to volunteer firefighter compensation limits.

HB 5424 limits volunteer firefighter compensation by prohibiting fire departments from paying or reimbursing volunteers more than 20% of the highest full-time firefighter salary in their county (or an adjacent county if their county lacks such pay data). This directly affects volunteer firefighters and local fire departments, setting a clear annual cap on their compensation. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026, and amends the Government Code to establish this specific financial threshold. It does not change eligibility for volunteer status but restricts the amount departments can provide to volunteers relative to full-time staff pay.