By: Rodriguez, Martinez (Senate Sponsor - Watson) H.B. No. 993
(In the Senate - Received from the House March 31, 2011;
April 13, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on
Transportation and Homeland Security; May 9, 2011, reported
favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 9, 2011,
sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the closure of a road or highway by certain
firefighters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 546, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 546.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 546.007. CLOSURE OF ROAD OR HIGHWAY BY FIREFIGHTER.
(a) This section applies only to a firefighter who is employed by
or a member of:
(1) a fire department operated by an emergency
services district;
(2) a volunteer fire department; or
(3) a fire department of a general-law municipality.
(b) A firefighter, when performing the firefighter's
official duties, may close one or more lanes of a road or highway to
protect the safety of persons or property.
(c) The closure shall be limited to the affected lane or
lanes and one additional lane unless the safety of emergency
personnel operating on the road or highway requires more lanes to be
closed.
(d) In making a closure under this section, the firefighter
shall deploy one or more authorized emergency vehicles with audible
and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305
and 547.702.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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