HB 3049

relating to the designation of animal control officers as first
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 421.095, Government Code, is amended to
Sec. 421.095.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter
(1)  "First responder" means a public safety employee
or volunteer whose duties include responding rapidly to an
(A)  a peace officer whose duties include
responding rapidly to an emergency;
(B)  fire protection personnel under section
(C)  a volunteer firefighter who is:
(i)  certified by the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection or by the state Firemen's and Fire Marshals'
(ii)  a member of an organized volunteer
fire-fighting unit as described by section 615.003;
(D)  an individual certified as emergency medical
services personnel by the Department of State Health Services;
(E)  an emergency response operator or emergency
services dispatcher who provides communication support services
for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in
(F)  an animal control officer whose duties
include responding rapidly to an emergency; and
(G)  other emergency response personnel employed
SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.