SRC-VRA S.B. 1461 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1461
By: Lindsay
Intergovernmental Relations
6/26/2003
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law allows a county commissioners court to supply surplus or
salvage property to any incorporated volunteer fire departments with which
it has contracted for fire protection services. However, the definition of
salvage property is personal property that has "no value" for the purpose
for which it was originally intended and that has caused problems for some
counties.  Some heavy equipment maintains its residual value, even if the
equipment is very old and heavily used.  S.B. 1461 allows a county
commissioners court to declare fire apparatus and equipment purchased by
the county as surplus or salvage after 15 years of use and would allow a
volunteer fire department to purchase that equipment for eight percent of
its original purchase value. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 352, Local Government Code, by
adding Section 352.006, as follows: 

Sec.  352.006.  SALE OF USED FIRE PROTECTION OR FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO
CERTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS.  (a)  Defines "volunteer fire
department." 

(b)  Authorizes the commissioners court of a county, notwithstanding
Subchapter D, Chapter 263, or other law, to sell used fire-fighting
equipment, excluding equipment described in Government Code, Chapter
419.040 and Chapter 419.041, to a volunteer fire department for eight
percent of the original purchase value of the equipment if certain
conditions are met. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.