SRC-VRA S.B. 1461 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1461 78R7040 KEG-FBy: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 4/3/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law allows county commissioners courts to supply surplus or salvage property to any incorporated volunteer fire departments with which they have 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. As proposed, 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 Chapter 352A, 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" to include a volunteer fire department that employs not more than two paid staff members. (b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county, notwithstanding Chapter 263D, to sell used fire protection and fire-fighting equipment 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.