BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3201

By: King, Phil

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

County fire marshals, as currently defined by Chapter 352, Local Government Code, undertake responsibilities that are law enforcement related. These responsibilities include imposing criminal penalties based on fire code or outdoor burning violations, criminal code enforcement, and various other responsibilities as assigned by the commissioners court.

H.B. 3201 adds the fire marshal and any related officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by a county for purposes of county fire protection to the list of persons who are designated as peace officers under state law.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3201 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to add the fire marshal and any related officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by a county for purposes of county fire protection to the list of persons who are designated as peace officers under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.