BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 573
88R2460 SGM-D	By: Hughes
	Local Government
	3/8/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It has been reported that some municipalities have adopted fire codes that require the owner or occupant of a building to maintain brand-name exterior key boxes that provide first responders with immediate access to buildings and restricted areas.

S.B. 573 prohibits municipalities from requiring specific manufacturer or vendor exterior key boxes. 

As proposed, S.B. 573 amends current law relating to municipal requirements for exterior key boxes to provide access to buildings to first responders.

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 Subtitle A, Title 11, Local Government Code, by adding Chapter 350, as follows:

CHAPTER 350. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATED TO MUNICIPAL PUBLIC SAFETY

Sec. 350.001. EXTERIOR KEY BOX REQUIREMENTS. Prohibits a municipality that adopts a fire code that requires the owner or occupant of a building to maintain an exterior key box to provide a first responder with immediate access to the building or a restricted area from requiring the owner or occupant to purchase the key box from a specific manufacturer or vendor.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.