S.B. No. 1413
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1413 passed the Senate on
April 12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1413 passed the House on
May 12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 1, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor