BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3981

By: Paul

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2009, legislation was passed to classify fire marshals commissioned by a county that hold a permanent peace officer license as peace officers under state law, a designation previously provided also for fire marshals commissioned by an emergency services district. However, this legislation did not include fire marshals commissioned by municipalities. C.S.H.B. 3981 seeks to classify a fire marshal who has a peace officer license and who is commissioned by a municipality as a peace officer under state law.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 3981 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to classify fire marshals and any related officers, investigators, or inspectors of a municipality who hold a permanent peace officer license as peace officers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3981 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced classified fire marshals and any related officers, investigators, or inspectors of an incorporated city, town, or village who hold a permanent peace officer license as peace officers, the substitute classifies such individuals of a municipality who hold such a license as peace officers.