77R6910 ATP-D                           
         By Ellis                                               H.B. No. 309
         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 309:
         By Chisum                                          C.S.H.B. No. 309
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the adoption of a fire code by counties.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 235.001, Local Government Code, is amended
 1-5     by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
 1-6     follows:
 1-7           (a)  The commissioners court of a county [with a population
 1-8     of over 250,000 or a county adjacent to a county with a population
 1-9     of over 250,000] may adopt a fire code and rules necessary to
1-10     administer and enforce the fire code.
1-11           (c)  A county may not regulate the sale of fireworks under
1-12     this section.
1-13           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-14     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-15     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-16     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-17     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.