By Burnam                                             H.B. No. 2374
         77R5709 YDB-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the operation of volunteer fire departments in certain
 1-3     municipalities or counties.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 342, Local Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
 1-7                  SUBCHAPTER D.  VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
 1-8           Sec. 342.051.  APPLICATION.  This subchapter applies only to
 1-9     a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more.
1-10           Sec. 342.052.  PROHIBITION.  The municipality may not provide
1-11     fire protection to residents of the municipality by contracting
1-12     with or otherwise obtaining the fire protection services of a
1-13     volunteer fire department.
1-14           SECTION 2.  Section 352.001, Local Government Code, is
1-15     amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
1-16           (d)  Regardless of Subsection (c), a county with a population
1-17     of 500,000 or more may not provide fire protection to residents of
1-18     the county by contracting with or otherwise obtaining the fire
1-19     protection services of a volunteer fire department.
1-20           SECTION 3.   The changes in law made by this Act by the
1-21     addition of Subchapter D, Chapter 342, Local Government Code, and
1-22     Section 352.001(d), Local Government Code, apply only to a contract
1-23     made or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.
1-24           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.