BILL ANALYSIS

Corrections Committee

By: Turner, Bob
03-28-95
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

The current Appropriations Act includes a provision which
authorizes monthly salary supplements for TYC employees who are
assigned extra duties in fire prevention programs.  However, this
is not authority for TYC to engage in fire prevention, protection
or suppression activities.  Fires are an on-going concern on TYC
campuses since the youth who are there are sometimes inclined to
start fires in their rooms.  Fire is particularly threatening at
facilities located in remote rural areas, such as the West Texas
State School (WTSS).  WTSS is 17 miles from Monahans and 26 miles
from Pecos which have the nearest Volunteer Fire Departments with
approximately 12 members each.  Most of these volunteers work out
of town and it is difficult to assemble an adequate response to
fires occurring at or near the WTSS facility.  This bill would
allow TYC to engage in fire protection, prevention, and suppression
activities.

This bill would also allow TYC to be a "good neighbor" and lend its
assistance to local communities in rural areas near TYC facilities
with regard to fire protection and suppression activities.  It is
believed there would be an average of 15 to 20 opportunities to
provide assistance to such communities.  There would be a fiscal
impact of under $7,000 to TYC for providing the appropriate
equipment and training necessary to engage in suppression and
protective activities.

PURPOSE

House Bill 1695 authorizes the Texas Youth Commission to perform
fire protection, prevention and suppression activities at or near
its facilities.

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.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code,
by adding Section 61.050 as follows:

     Sec. 61.050.  FIRE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.

     (a) Allows the Commission to perform fire protection,
     prevention and suppression activities at its facilities.

     (b) Allows TYC, for the benefit of public safety and welfare,
     to prescribe circumstances under which it may use its
     equipment and employees to assist municipal or volunteer fire
     departments, located near TYC facilities, in fire prevention,
     protection and suppression activities.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1695 was considered by the Committee on Corrections in a
public hearing on March 28, 1995.  The bill was reported favorably
without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
Calendars, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 2 absent.