BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1915
80R11845 EJI-F By: Swinford, Christian (Duncan)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Since January 1, 2005, wildfires have consumed 1.9 million acres of land, destroyed 639 homes, and caused more than $500 million in property damage in the State of Texas. Because there is no central registry for fire departments, it is impossible to know at the regional level what equipment and personnel are available to respond to these regional disasters or other homeland security issues. Additionally, without adequate information on the departments, it is difficult to encourage firefighter certification and compliance with safety standards.
As proposed, H.B. 1915 establishes a fire department listing to be maintained by the Texas Forest Service that includes a complete list of fire departments and firefighting resources within the state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 614, Government Code, by adding Subchapter H, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H. FIRE DEPARTMENT LISTING
Sec. 614.151. PURPOSES OF SUBCHAPTER. Provides that the purposes of this subchapter are to develop a complete list of fire departments and firefighting resources within this state, prepare for the prompt and efficient response to a disaster or incident of catastrophic proportions, and provide support to the statewide mutual aid program for fire emergencies as provided by Section 418.110.
Sec. 614.152. DEFINITIONS. Defines "fire department" "service," "state fire agency," and "state fire association."
Sec. 614.153. ADMINISTRATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT LISTING. Requires the service to establish and maintain a listing of fire departments located in this state that is accessible to each state fire agency to assist the agency in carrying out its responsibilities, and prescribe procedures necessary to implement this subchapter.
Sec. 614.154. LISTING REQUIRED. (a) Requires each fire department in this state to be listed with the service. Requires each fire department to provide to the service information described by Section 614.155 in a manner prescribed by the service.
(b) Requires state fire agencies and state fire associations to coordinate and cooperate with the service in the development of the listing.
Sec. 614.155. LISTING COMPONENTS. Requires the listing to contain certain information for each fire department in this state.
Sec. 614.156. RENEWAL OF LISTING. Requires the service to renew a fire department's listing annually.
SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Forest Service of The Texas A&M University System to establish the listing required by Subchapter H, Chapter 614, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.