88R21981 MZM-F
 
  By: Frazier, Bumgarner, Kitzman, Lujan, H.B. No. 2681
      et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of a fire department to remove certain
  personal property from a roadway or right-of-way.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 545.3051(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
               (1-a)  "Fire department" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 419.021, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 545.3051, Transportation Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (b), (d), and (e) and adding
  Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (b)  An authority, a fire department, or a law enforcement
  agency may remove personal property from a roadway or right-of-way
  if the authority, fire department, or law enforcement agency
  determines that the property blocks the roadway or endangers public
  safety.
         (d)  The owner and any carrier of personal property removed
  under this section shall reimburse the authority, fire department,
  or law enforcement agency for any reasonable cost of removal and
  disposition of the property.
         (e)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an
  authority, a fire department, or a law enforcement agency is not
  liable for:
               (1)  any damage to personal property removed from a
  roadway or right-of-way under this section, unless the removal is
  carried out recklessly or in a grossly negligent manner; or
               (2)  any damage resulting from the failure to exercise
  the authority granted by this section.
         (f)  The governing body of a political subdivision that has a
  fire department shall develop and implement a policy concerning the
  fire department consulting with law enforcement agencies regarding
  removal of personal property from a roadway or right-of-way.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2023.