BILL ANALYSIS
By: McReynolds
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
All across our state there are devices resembling fire hydrants, in places that one would expect to find fire hydrants, and yet they are not usable for fire suppression. This causes serious safety concerns when a fire department does not know these hydrants are not usable and are unable to obtain water flow. Unless these devices are properly identified as non serviceable to our fire fighters, we continue to put them, our neighbors, and our property in harms way.
House Bill No. 1717 requires that all devices that resemble a fire hydrant but are nonfunctioning or unavailable for use in fire suppression must be painted black. This new standard will not conflict with any entities ability to use recognized fire hydrant color coding standards
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly delegate rulemaking authority to a State officer, agency, department or institution.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1: Provides that Section 341.0357 be added to Subchapter C, Chapter 341, Health and Safety Code, creating an identification requirement that any device with the appearance of a fire hydrant that is nonfunctioning, or otherwise unavailable for use in a fire emergency, must be painted black.
SECTION 2: Provides that an owner of a device described by Section 341.0357, Health and Safety Code, must ensure that the device complies with the requirement imposed by that section no later than January 1, 2008.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house as provided by the Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.