BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1819

By: Martinez

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of uniformity of a fire code in districts of certain first responder organizations that operate in multiple counties. It has been suggested that multi‑county districts may be better served by a uniform fire code that is tailored to the needs and terrain of the district. H.B. 1819 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing these emergency services districts to adopt and enforce a prevailing uniform fire code in districts that serve multiple counties.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1819 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize two or more emergency services districts to adopt and enforce a fire code, including fines for any violations, for the area served by the districts if the districts have established a joint response area through contracts that includes land in two or more counties. The bill requires the fire code to be similar to standards adopted by a nationally recognized standards-making association and establishes that a provision in the fire code prevails over a provision in a fire code adopted by a county regardless of whether the provision is less stringent than the provision adopted by the county.

H.B. 1819 prohibits the board of emergency services commissioners of a district that adopts a fire code under the bill's provisions from enforcing the fire code in the boundaries of a municipality that has adopted a fire code, except for an area that has been annexed only for limited purposes in which the municipality does not enforce a fire code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.