BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1063
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, fire departments face significant problems gaining access to gated communities. Prior to the enactment of law relating to county authority to regulate vehicular or pedestrian gates to gated communities and multi-unit housing projects, various volunteer fire departments implanted their own key access systems throughout communities located outside municipal boundaries, including unincorporated areas of Bexar County, so each department carries multiple keys. In the process of responding to emergency situations, staff has to try each key, which slows down response time and can make a difference in life or death situations.
H.B. 1063 authorizes the commissioners court of a county to require gated communities located outside municipal boundaries with electronically powered gates to equip gates with a gate-operating device approved by the county fire marshal or other similar authority having jurisdiction over fire prevention that will activate the gate upon sounding an emergency vehicle siren.
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 E, Chapter 352, Local Government Code, by adding Section 352.1145, as follows:
Sec. 352.1145. SIREN-OPERATED SENSOR SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRIC GATES. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to require that each electric gate to a gated community or multiunit housing project be equipped with a gate-operating device that is approved by the county fire marshal or other similar authority having jurisdiction over fire prevention and will activate the electric gate on the sounding of an emergency vehicle siren.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.