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HB 3561

AN ACT relating to emergency services requirements for certain plots or

House Bill Barry
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Fiscal Note

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What This Bill Does

Allows county commissioners to establish emergency service requirements for residential developments in unincorporated areas with at least four dwelling units per acre or 50 total units. Commissioners can mandate specific safety measures like installing adequate fire hydrants, ensuring multiple entry/exit routes for emergency vehicles, and locating developments within 10 miles of emergency services. The requirements aim to improve emergency response and resident safety in densely populated rural areas.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to emergency services requirements for certain plots or
tracts of land in the unincorporated area of certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 232, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 232.0035 to read as follows:
Sec. 232.0035.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: EMERGENCY SERVICES
FOR CERTAIN AREAS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES.  (a)  This section applies
only to a plot or tract of land with at least four residential
dwelling units per acre or at least 50 dwelling units that is wholly
located in the unincorporated area of a county with a population of
(b)  Notwithstanding Section 232.007, this section applies
to a plot or tract of land subject to this section located in a
(c)  In addition to any other requirement under law, the
commissioners court of a county may by order require that a plot or
tract of land subject to this section:
(1)  contain a number of fire hydrants sufficient to
protect the dwellings in the plot or tract from fire;
(2)  have at least two means of both ingress and egress
to provide for sufficient routes of travel for use by emergency
vehicles and for use during evacuations resulting from fire or
(3)  be located not more than 10 miles from an emergency
SECTION 2.  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, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to emergency services requirements for certain plots or