SB 1981

relating to the compensation and benefits for certain peace
officers commissioned by the state fire marshal.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 417.006, Government Code, is amended to
Sec. 417.006.  STATE FIRE MARSHAL PEACE OFFICERS [AND ARSON
INVESTIGATORS].  (a) The state fire marshal may:
(1)  commission peace officers to act as fire and arson
investigators under the state fire marshal's [his] supervision and
to perform other law enforcement duties assigned to the
commissioner and the state fire marshal by law; and
(2)  [.  The state fire marshal may] revoke a peace
officer's commission under this section for just cause.
(b)  The commissioner shall ensure that a peace officer
commissioned under Subsection (a) is compensated according to
Schedule C of the position classification salary schedule
prescribed by the General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 2.  Section 659.301(5), Government Code, is amended
(5)  "State employee" means an individual who:
(A)  is a commissioned law enforcement officer of
the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Facilities Commission,
the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice, the attorney general, [or] the insurance fraud
unit of the Texas Department of Insurance, or the state fire
(B)  is a commissioned security officer of the
(C)  is a law enforcement officer commissioned by
the Parks and Wildlife Commission;
(D)  is a commissioned peace officer of an
institution of higher education;
(E)  is an employee or official of the Board of
Pardons and Paroles or the parole division of the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice if the employee or official has routine direct
contact with inmates of any penal or correctional institution or
with administratively released prisoners subject to the board's
(F)  has been certified to the Employees
Retirement System of Texas under Section 815.505 as having begun
employment as a law enforcement officer or custodial officer,
unless the individual has been certified to the system as having
ceased employment as a law enforcement officer or custodial
(G)  before May 29, 1987, received hazardous duty
pay based on the terms of any state law if the individual holds a
position designated under that law as eligible for the pay; or
(H)  is a security officer employed by the Texas
SECTION 3.  Section 661.918(a), Government Code, is amended
(a)  This section applies to a peace officer under Article
2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, who is commissioned as a law
enforcement officer or agent, including a ranger, by:
(1)  the Public Safety Commission and the director of
the Department of Public Safety;
(2)  the Parks and Wildlife Commission;
(3)  the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
(5)  the insurance fraud unit of the Texas Department
SECTION 4.  (a) The classification officer in the office of
the state auditor shall classify the position of commissioned peace
officer employed as an investigator by the Texas Department of
Insurance State Fire Marshal's Office as a Schedule C position
under the position classification plan maintained under Chapter
(b)  The change made by the classification officer as
required by this section applies beginning with the state fiscal
biennium beginning September 1, 2025.
(c)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 5.  Section 661.918(a), Government Code, as amended
by this Act, applies only to an injury that occurs on or after the
SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.