House Bill No. 3687 aims to establish specific certification requirements for fire marshals and related personnel in counties and emergency services districts with populations of 100,000 or more. The bill introduces new sections to the Health and Safety Code and the Local Government Code, mandating that fire marshals must obtain various certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection within specified timeframes after their appointment. These include a head of a prevention-only fire department certification within 12 months, a fire marshal basic certification within 24 months, and a fire protection personnel certification within 12 months. Additionally, if acting as peace officers, they must hold a permanent peace officer license.

The bill also stipulates that fire marshals and their employees must possess the necessary certifications for conducting arson investigations or fire inspections as required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. For those fire marshals appointed before the bill's effective date, there are transitional certification requirements that must be met within specified timeframes. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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