87R6587 CXP-D
 
  By: Martinez, Rodriguez H.B. No. 1819
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the powers of board members of certain emergency
  services districts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 775, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 775.0361 to read as follows:
         Sec. 775.0361.  FIRE CODE IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS. (a) Two or
  more districts may adopt and enforce a fire code, including fines
  for any violations, for the area served by the districts if the
  districts have established a joint response area through contracts
  under Section 775.031(a) that includes land in two or more
  counties. A fire code adopted under this section must be similar to
  standards adopted by a nationally recognized standards-making
  association.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Sections 775.036(b) and (b-1), a
  provision in a fire code adopted under Subsection (a) prevails over
  a provision in a fire code adopted by a county regardless of whether
  the provision is less stringent than the provision adopted by the
  county. 
         (c)  The board of a district that adopts a fire code under
  this section may not enforce the fire code in the boundaries of a
  municipality that has adopted a fire code, except for an area that
  has been annexed only for limited purposes in which the
  municipality does not enforce a fire code.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.