HBA-CMT H.B. 1450 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1450 By: Tillery Urban Affairs 3/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not require an investigation of a firefighter fatality. Many local entities do investigate deaths that have occurred in the line of duty, but there is no state mandate to do so. House Bill 1450 requires the state fire marshal to investigate all deaths that have occurred in the line of duty of any individual who performs fire suppression duties for a governmental entity or volunteer fire department. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1450 amends the Government Code to require the state fire marshal (marshal) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of any firefighter in this state while in the line of duty, including the cause and origin of the fire, the condition of the structure, and the suppression operation to determine all factors that may have contributed to the incident. The bill also authorizes the marshal to investigate fire incidents that resulted in a serious injury requiring the hospitalization of a firefighter. The bill requires the marshal in conducting such an investigation to coordinate the investigative efforts of local governmental officials. The marshal is authorized to enlist the assistance of established fire service organizations and private entities who are required to cooperate with the marshal and provide assistance to carry out the provisions of this bill. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.