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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the closure of a road or highway by certain |
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firefighters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 546, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 546.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 546.007. CLOSURE OF ROAD OR HIGHWAY BY FIREFIGHTER. |
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(a) This section applies only to a firefighter who is employed by |
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or a member of: |
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(1) a fire department operated by an emergency |
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services district; |
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(2) a volunteer fire department; or |
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(3) a fire department of a general-law municipality. |
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(b) A firefighter, when performing the firefighter's |
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official duties, may close one or more lanes of a road or highway to |
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protect the safety of persons or property. |
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(c) The closure shall be limited to the affected lane or |
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lanes and one additional lane unless the safety of emergency |
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personnel operating on the road or highway requires more lanes to be |
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closed. |
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(d) In making a closure under this section, the firefighter |
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shall deploy one or more authorized emergency vehicles with audible |
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and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 |
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and 547.702. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |