By: Hegar, Schwertner S.B. No. 1904

(In the Senate - Filed April 18, 2013; April 18, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security; April 25, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 3, Nays 1, 1 present not voting; April 25, 2013, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1904 By: Hegar

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 419, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 419.0021 to read as follows:

Sec. 419.0021. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The commission is administratively attached to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service shall:

(1) provide administrative assistance and services to the commission, including budget planning and purchasing;

(2) accept, deposit, and disburse money made available to the commission; and

(3) direct the commission in performing the commission's duties assigned by this chapter in a manner that reduces certification costs, reduces administrative costs, and increases fire fighter access to training, certification, and educational resources.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than September 1, 2013, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service shall begin a comprehensive review of the duties of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and prepare a report to the legislature detailing a process for transferring the functions of the commission to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service or other appropriate agency.

(b) The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service shall form a committee of stakeholders to assist in the development of the report required by Subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The report required under Subsection (a) of this section must:

(1) identify the essential personnel of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection;

(2) include a timetable for any necessary or advisable movement of the physical location of employees or property;

(3) include an inventory of all equipment and other property under the control of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection; and

(4) provide for any unspent appropriations of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

(d) The report required by Subsection (a) of this section shall be delivered to the legislature not later than September 1, 2014.

SECTION 3. Effective September 1, 2013, the powers and duties of the executive director of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection shall be assumed by the director of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service--Emergency Services Training Institute.

SECTION 4. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

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