HBA-SEB H.B. 3725 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3725 By: Bailey Urban Affairs 4/1/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Subchapter G of the Local Government Code establishes provisions for fire and police departments in cities of 1.5 million or more. H.B. 3725 amends that subchapter to put into place minimum staffing requirements for each fire engine, ladder truck, and rescue truck in order to ensure that each fire apparatus is properly staffed. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter G, Chapter 143, Local Government Code, by adding Section 143.1053, as follows: Sec. 143.1053. MINIMUM STAFFING FOR FIRE APPARATUS. Establishes that each engine, ladder truck, and rescue truck placed in operation by the fire department during a shift will be staffed with a minimum of two fire fighters in the lowest level non-probationary fire fighter classification. Provides the following set-up: one fire fighter in the second lowest non-probationary fire fighter classification and one fire fighter in the third lowest nonprobationary fire fighter classification for engines, and one fire fighter in the fourth lowest non-probationary fire fighter classification for ladder trucks and rescue trucks. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.