BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1177 89R9062 GP-F By: Alvarado Local Government 4/4/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT In August, the tragic passing of a Houston middle school student highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in Texas schools. This proposed legislation strengthens fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring routine inspections of critical life-saving equipment during the school fire inspection. Specifically, it ensures that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are fully functional, with unexpired pads and batteries. AEDs are crucial tools and ensuring their accessibility and effectiveness in schools can make a significant difference in the outcomes of emergency situations. Strengthening preventive measures in schools such as this not only safeguards the well-being of students and staff alike but also confirms that essential resources are ready when needed most. Through this effort, schools and trained personnel can aim to create a safer school environment. As proposed, S.B. 1177 amends current law relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 419.029, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes. (b) Requires that the minimum curriculum requirements established by the Public Safety Commission under Subsection (a) (relating to minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs for training fire protection personnel or recruits) require training on conducting a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance with Section 419.909 (Fire Safety Inspections). SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.909, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2), as follows: (b-1) Requires that a fire safety inspection of a public or private school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance include an examination of certain items. (b-2) Requires a person who conducts a fire safety inspection described by Subsection (b-1) to include in the written report of the inspection of the school the findings from the examinations required by that subsection. Requires that the report also state the method by which the school's administrators were notified of the results of the inspection and the time and date the notification occurred. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1177
89R9062 GP-F By: Alvarado
Local Government
4/4/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1177
89R9062 GP-F
By: Alvarado
Local Government
4/4/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In August, the tragic passing of a Houston middle school student highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in Texas schools. This proposed legislation strengthens fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring routine inspections of critical life-saving equipment during the school fire inspection. Specifically, it ensures that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are fully functional, with unexpired pads and batteries. AEDs are crucial tools and ensuring their accessibility and effectiveness in schools can make a significant difference in the outcomes of emergency situations.
Strengthening preventive measures in schools such as this not only safeguards the well-being of students and staff alike but also confirms that essential resources are ready when needed most. Through this effort, schools and trained personnel can aim to create a safer school environment.
As proposed, S.B. 1177 amends current law relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 419.029, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.
(b) Requires that the minimum curriculum requirements established by the Public Safety Commission under Subsection (a) (relating to minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs for training fire protection personnel or recruits) require training on conducting a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance with Section 419.909 (Fire Safety Inspections).
SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.909, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2), as follows:
(b-1) Requires that a fire safety inspection of a public or private school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance include an examination of certain items.
(b-2) Requires a person who conducts a fire safety inspection described by Subsection (b-1) to include in the written report of the inspection of the school the findings from the examinations required by that subsection. Requires that the report also state the method by which the school's administrators were notified of the results of the inspection and the time and date the notification occurred.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.