BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3732

89R15502 CXP-F

By: Martinez (Alvarado)

 

Local Government

 

5/21/2025

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Fire departments in Texas are required to meet certain personal protective equipment (PPE) standards established by the National Fire Protection Association. The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) is then responsible for ensuring that standards regarding protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus, and personal alert safety systems are all met. However, shortages and shipping delays have made obtaining some of the materials used to produce this equipment much harder, resulting in significant delays in the delivery of regulated and mandated equipment needed to replace or supplement existing PPE. H.B. 3732 seeks to address this issue by authorizing a fire department to request an extension from TCFP to comply with the minimum standards. TCFP can then grant such a request if the fire department provides evidence TCFP finds sufficient to justify the extension.        

 

H.B. 3732 amends current law relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in SECTION 1 (Section 419.0471, Government Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 419, Government Code, by adding Section 419.0471, as follows:

 

Sec. 419.0471. EXTENSION TO COMPLY WITH COMMISSION STANDARDS. (a) Authorizes a fire department to request an extension from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) to comply with the minimum standards adopted under Section 419.047 (Commission Enforcement). Requires TCFP to grant a request for an extension if the fire department provides evidence TCFP finds sufficient to justify the extension.

 

(b) Requires TCFP to adopt rules necessary to implement this section.

 

(c) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2027.

 

SECTION 2. Requires TCFP, not later than April 1, 2026, to adopt the rules required to implement Section 419.0471, Government Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.