By Gallegos                                     S.B. No. 1023

      75R7091 GJH-D                           

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to classified positions in certain fire departments.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 143, Local Government Code,

 1-5     is amended by adding Section 143.1055 to read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 143.1055.  CLASSIFIED FIRE FIGHTER POSITIONS.  In

 1-7     accordance with Section 143.021(a), the governing body by ordinance

 1-8     shall prescribe a sufficient number of fire fighter positions in

 1-9     each classification to provide adequate staffing for each fire

1-10     department vehicle in regular service, including a vehicle used on

1-11     a part-time basis.  Within 60 days after the date a fire department

1-12     vehicle that is not a replacement of a similar vehicle is placed

1-13     into service, the governing body by ordinance shall increase the

1-14     number of fire fighter positions in each applicable classification

1-15     by the number of fire fighters in the classification that are

1-16     sufficient to staff the vehicle.

1-17           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-18           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-19     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-20     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-21     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-22     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.