By Tillery                                            H.B. No. 1450
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the office of the State Fire Marshal.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Section 417, Government Code, is amended by adding
 1-5     Section 417.0075 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 417.0075.  FIRE FIGHTER FATALITY. (a)  The State Fire
 1-7     Marshal shall investigate the circumstances surrounding the
 1-8     in-the-line-of-duty death of any fire fighter occurring in this
 1-9     state, including the cause and origin of the fire and the condition
1-10     of the structure, as well as the suppression operation, to
1-11     determine all factors that may have contributed to the incident.
1-12     At the discretion of the Commissioner, the State Fire Marshal may
1-13     also investigate fire incidents occurring in this state that
1-14     resulted in a serious injury requiring the hospitalization of a
1-15     fire fighter.
1-16           (b)  In conducting an investigation, the State Fire Marshal
1-17     shall have all powers and authority set out in Section 417.007.
1-18     The State Fire Marshal shall coordinate the investigative efforts
1-19     of local governmental officials and may enlist the assistance of
1-20     established fire service organizations and private entities who
1-21     shall cooperate with the State Fire Marshal and provide assistance
1-22     as may be delegated or requested to carry out the provisions of
 2-1     this act.
 2-2           (c)  The term fire fighter as used in this subsection
 2-3     includes any individual who performs fire suppression duties for a
 2-4     governmental entity or volunteer fire department.
 2-5           (d)  Information gathered pursuant to an investigation under
 2-6     this section is subject to Section 552.108, Government Code.
 2-7           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.