SRC-TNM S.B. 1107 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1107
By: Duncan
Intergovernmental Relations
4-13-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, certified on- or off-duty fire fighters who die while
performing fire fighting duties for the public are ineligible for death
benefits under Chapter 615, Government Code.  Article III, Section 51-d of
the Texas Constitution authorized the legislature to provide for
assistance payments to "the surviving minor children" of certain officers
of police and fire departments.  The statute was recodified in 1973 as
Article 6228f, V.T.C.S.  The 73rd Legislature recodified Article 6228f,
V.T.C.S., to Chapter 615, Government Code, and raised the death benefit
from $20,000 to $50,000. S.B. 1107 would allow certified fire fighters who
die while performing fire fighting duties for the public to become
eligible for death benefits under this statute. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1107 outlines provisions regarding the provision of
financial assistance to survivors of certain law enforcement officers,
fire fighters, and others. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 615.021, Government Code, to provide that an
individual listed under Section 615.003(10) or (11) is considered to be
acting in the course of the individual's duty for purposes of Subsection
(A) whenever the individual performs duties which the individual has been
certified to perform by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection,
regardless of whether the duties are performed during the individual's
compensable work hours. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: June 3, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.