78R4991 KEG-D

By:  Armbrister                                                 S.J.R. No. 53 



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing political 
subdivisions to donate outdated or surplus fire-protection and 
emergency services equipment to certain fire departments.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by 
adding Section 52i to read as follows:
	Sec. 52i.  (a)  A political subdivision, including a 
municipality, county, or special purpose district, may donate 
outdated or surplus fire-protection and emergency services 
equipment to a fire department that:
		(1)  is not considered to be a part of a political 
subdivision of the state;
		(2)  is operated on a not-for-profit basis, including a 
department that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 
501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an exempt 
organization in Section 501(c)(3) of that code or that is similarly 
exempt under a successor to that federal tax law; and
		(3)  receives money from the state or a political 
subdivision of the state, if at all, only under a contract for 
fire-protection services.
	(b)  The legislature by general law may prescribe limits, 
priorities, and procedures relating to the donation of equipment 
under this section and Section 52h of this article.
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003. 
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing political 
subdivisions to donate outdated or surplus fire-protection and 
emergency services equipment to certain fire departments."