H.B. No. 1701 amends the Local Government Code to enhance the administration and enforcement of county fire codes. The bill allows a county that adopts a fire code to contract with a municipality or an emergency services district within the county for the administration and enforcement of that fire code. Additionally, it introduces a provision that permits an emergency services district that has adopted a fire code to enter into an interlocal agreement with the county, allowing the district to take on all or part of the county's authority to enforce the fire code.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the responsibilities of the county fire marshal, stating that the fire marshal shall enforce all relevant state and county regulations related to fires and explosions, but also allows for the delegation of these responsibilities to a municipality or emergency services district through a contract established by the county's commissioners court. This change aims to streamline fire code enforcement and improve collaboration between counties and local emergency services. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 233.061, Local Government Code 352.019 (Local Government Code 233, Local Government Code 352)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 233.061, Local Government Code 352.019 (Local Government Code 233, Local Government Code 352)