The bill, S.B. No. 1503, proposes amendments to the Health and Safety Code regarding the expansion of emergency services districts into municipal territories. It modifies Section 775.051(a) to require that petitions for inclusion in a district must be signed by at least 50 qualified voters or a majority of those voters, whichever is less, and must also show the names of municipalities whose consent is necessary for the annexation. Additionally, a new Section 775.0515 is added, outlining the process for annexing territory within a municipality's limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. This includes a requirement for a written request to be presented to the municipality's governing body, which must provide written consent within 60 days for the annexation to proceed.

The new section also establishes a process for municipalities that do not consent within the specified timeframe, allowing voters and property owners to petition for fire control and emergency services. If the municipality fails to act on this petition within six months, it is deemed consent for annexation. Furthermore, if the territory includes an industrial district, consent must be obtained in the same manner. The bill stipulates that any consent given by a governing body expires six months after it is granted, and it does not apply to territories in unincorporated areas of counties with populations of 3.3 million or more. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and only apply to petitions filed after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 775.051 (Health and Safety Code 775)