AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) serves to aid in the protection of lives and property of Texas citizens through the development and enforcement of recognized professional standards for individuals and fire departments within Texas. S.B. 1904 seeks to reduce inefficiencies and eliminate fiscal redundancy in state government by administratively attaching TCFP to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
As proposed, S.B. 1904 amends current law relating to the administration of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
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 A, Chapter 419, Government Code, by adding Section 419.0021, as follows:
Sec. 419.0021. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) Provides that the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) is administratively attached to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
(b) Requires the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, notwithstanding any other law, to provide administrative assistance and services to TCFP, including budget planning and purchasing; accept, deposit, and disburse money made available to TCFP; and direct TCFP in performing TCFP's duties assigned by this chapter in a manner that reduces certification costs, reduces administrative costs, and increases firefighter access to training, certification, and educational resources.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, not later than September 1, 2013, to begin a comprehensive review of the duties of TCFP and prepare a report to the Legislature detailing a process of transferring the functions of TCFP to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
(b) Requires the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service to form a committee of stakeholders to assist in the development of the report required by Subsection (a).
(c) Requires that the report required under Subsection (a) of this section identify the essential personnel of TCFP; include a time table for any necessary or advisable movement of the physical location of employees or property; include an inventory of all equipment and other property under the control of TCFP; and provide for any unspent appropriations of TCFP.
(d) Requires that the report required by Subsection (a) be delivered to the Legislature no later than September 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. Requires that the powers and duties of the executive director of TCFP, effective September 1, 2013, be assumed by the director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service - Emergency Services Training Institute.
SECTION 6. Effective date, except as otherwise provided by this Act: September 1, 2013.