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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of counties to require a person to notify |
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a local fire department before starting an outdoor fire; creating a |
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criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 352, Local Government |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 352.083 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 352.083. NOTIFICATION OF OUTDOOR BURNING. (a) In this |
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section, "fire department" means a volunteer fire department or a |
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department of a municipality or county that provides firefighting |
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services. |
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(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may require |
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a person to notify the fire department that provides firefighting |
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services in an area of the county before starting an outdoor fire in |
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the area. |
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(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or |
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intentionally violates an order adopted under Subsection (b). An |
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offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |