Texas House Bill HB3661

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/15/09
• Voted on by House: 4/23/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/7/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/12/09
• Governor Action: 5/23/09
• Enrolled: 5/15/09
• Passed: 5/23/09

Caption

Relating to standards for installing fire hydrants in certain residential areas.

Impact

The impact of HB3661 is primarily focused on urban areas that meet the population threshold stipulated by the bill. By establishing clearer standards for fire hydrant installation and maintenance, the bill is expected to improve response times for fire services in emergencies. This can reduce potential damages and losses during fire incidents, ultimately benefiting community safety. The bill could lead to better infrastructure for firefighting efforts and enhance the overall effectiveness of emergency services in urban settings.

Summary

House Bill 3661 addresses the standards for installing fire hydrants and maintaining sufficient water pressure for fire service in certain residential areas within municipalities with populations of 1,000,000 or more. This legislation aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that fire hydrants are adequately equipped to handle emergencies, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The act mandates that the regulatory authority for public utilities establish these standards through rules or ordinances, thus consolidating requirements for fire safety measures within larger municipalities.

Contention

There might be notable points of contention surrounding compliance costs for municipalities or public utilities that fall under this new regulatory framework. Entities may express concerns regarding the financial implications of implementing the required standards, especially in times of budget constraints. Additionally, there might be discussions about equitable service levels across different sizes of municipalities, as the bill specifically targets larger cities, potentially leaving smaller communities without similar protections.