TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 1. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter H. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

37 TAC §1.114

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts an amendment to §1.114, concerning Major Infraction Applicable to Any Member, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2202).

Amendment to the section adds new paragraph (14) which is necessary as a result of the passage of Tex. S.B. 1074, Acts 2001, 77th Leg., R.S. ch. 947, §1, which prohibits a peace officer from engaging in racial profiling and grants rulemaking authority to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 23, 2002.

TRD-200203215

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 12, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 17. ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION

Subchapter A. ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION

37 TAC §§17.2 - 17.4, 17.6, 17.13, 17.15

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to §§17.2-17.4, 17.6, 17.13 and 17.15, concerning Administrative License Revocation, without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2205).

The amendments are necessary to incorporate recent changes to Texas Transportation Code, Chapters 524 and 724 resulting from the passage of Tex. H.B. 63, Acts 2001, 77th Leg., R.S., ch. 444. Revisions to certain definitions contained in §17.2 were also required to reflect changes in other departmental rules. In addition, language regarding the collection of the reinstatement fee following a disqualification has been deleted in §17.15.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work and Texas Transportation Code, §524.002 and §724.003, which provide that the department may adopt rules to administer those chapters.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 23, 2002.

TRD-200203214

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: June 12, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Part 5. TEXAS BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

Chapter 141. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subchapter A. BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

37 TAC §§141.3, 141.5, 141.7

The policy board of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles adopts amendments to 37 TAC §§141.3, 141.5, and 141.7, concerning the general conditions for the governance of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The amendments are adopted without changes as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2207). The text of the rule will not be republished.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles has adopted these amendments in order to conform the rules to statutory language and to clarify language in regard to the duties of the policy board.

Gerald Garrett, the Chair of the Board, has determined that, for the first five-year period the amended rules are in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering these sections. No anticipated economical corollary exists to small businesses or persons required to comply with the rule amendments.

Mr. Garrett has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of these amended rules will be a clarification of the rules relating to the governance of the board.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendments to the rules.

The amended rules are adopted under §508.036, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes used by the board and parole panels.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203150

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Effective date: June 11, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Subchapter C. SUBMISSION AND PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATION OF INMATES

37 TAC §141.71

The policy board of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles adopts an amendment to 37 TAC §141.71, concerning the general conditions for the governance of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The amendment is adopted without changes as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2208). The text of the rule will not be republished.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles has adopted this amendment in order to update the statutory citation in this section.

Gerald Garrett, the Chair of the Board, has determined that, for the first five-year period the amended rule is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section. No anticipated economical corollary exists to small businesses or persons required to comply with the rule amendment.

Mr. Garrett has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of this amended rule will be a correction of the statutory citation to the Public Information Act.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment to the rule.

The amended rule is adopted under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes used by the board and parole panels.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203151

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Effective date: June 11, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Subchapter D. REGISTRATION OF VISITORS AND FEE AFFIDAVITS

37 TAC §141.82

The policy board of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles adopts an amendment to 37 TAC §141.82, concerning the general conditions for the governance of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The amendment is adopted without changes as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2208). The text of the rule will not be republished.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles has adopted this amendment in order to update the statutory citation in this section.

Gerald Garrett, the Chair of the Board, has determined that, for the first five-year period the amended rule is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section. No anticipated economical corollary exists to small businesses or persons required to comply with the rule amendment.

Mr. Garrett has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of this amended rule will be the update of the statutory citation.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment to the rule.

The amended rule is adopted under §§508.036, 508.044, and 508.084, Government Code. The Board interprets §508.036 and §508.044 as authorizing the policy board to adopt reasonable rules relating to the decision-making processes used by the board and parole panels. The Board interprets §508.084 as authorizing the Board to require attorneys who represent offenders to submit fee affidavit forms.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203152

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Effective date: June 11, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Chapter 145. PAROLE

Subchapter B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PAROLE

37 TAC §145.27

The policy board of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles adopts an amendment to 37 TAC §145.27, concerning the conditions and rules of parole. The amendment is adopted without changes as published in the March 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2209). The text of the rule will not be republished.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles has adopted this amendment in order to conform this section to the revised parole certificate.

Gerald Garrett, the Chair of the Board, has determined that, for the first five-year period the amended rule is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section. No anticipated economical corollary exists to small businesses or persons required to comply with the rule amendment.

Mr. Garrett has also determined that the public benefit anticipated as a result of this amended rule will be to clarify that a standard requirement exists that all offenders participate in the Texas Department of Public Safety Personal Identification Program.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment to the rule.

The amended rule is adopted under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes and conditions of parole or mandatory supervision used by the board and parole panels.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203153

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Effective date: June 11, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Part 13. TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION

Chapter 429. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR FIRE INSPECTORS

37 TAC §429.5, §429.7

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) adopts amendments to §429.5 and §429.7, concerning minimum standards for intermediate and advanced fire inspector certifications with changes to the text published in the March 1, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1468). The term "listed" is replaced with "contained" in §§429.5(a)(2), 429.5(a)(2)(C), 429.7(a)(2), and 429.7(a)(2)(C).

The result of enforcing the amendments will be an increase in the number of eligible applicants for advanced certifications.

The amendments add a fourth option for meeting course requirements for each certification.

No comments were received on the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code, §419.008, which provides the TCFP with authority to adopt rules for the administration of its powers and duties, Texas Government Code, §419.022, which provides the TCFP with the authority to establish minimum training standards for fire protection personnel in advanced or specialized fire protection personnel positions, and Texas Government Code, §419.032, which provides the TCFP with authority to establish standards for employment as fire protection personnel.

§429.5.Minimum Standards for Intermediate Fire Inspector Certification.

(a) Applicants for Intermediate Fire Inspector Certification must complete the following requirements:

(1) hold as a prerequisite a Basic Fire Inspector Certification as defined in §429.3 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Basic Fire Inspector Certification);

(2) acquire a minimum of four years of fire protection experience and complete the courses contained in one of the following options:

(A) Option 1--Successfully complete six semester hours of fire science or fire technology from an approved Fire Protection Degree Program and submit documentation as required by the Commission that the courses comply with subsections (c) and (d) of this section; or

(B) Option 2--Complete a minimum of 96 hours of instruction in any National Fire Academy courses; or

(C) Option 3--Successfully complete three semester hours of college courses contained in Option 1 and a minimum of 48 hours in any National Fire Academy courses.

(D) Option 4--Successfully complete any combination of courses that lead to International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certification that total 96 recommended hours or more in the Commission curricula. Evidence of completion of the appropriate courses shall be a certification from the Commission or a valid documentation from another jurisdiction of accreditation from IFSAC. Option 4 may not be combined with any of the above options to obtain this certification. See exception outlined in subsection (d) of this section.

(b) College level courses from both the upper and lower division may be used to satisfy the education requirement for Intermediate Fire Inspector Certification.

(c) Non-traditional credit awarded at the college level, such as credit for experience or credit by examination obtained from attending any school in the commission's document titled "Commission Certification Curriculum Manual" or for experience in the fire service, may not be counted toward higher levels of certification.

(d) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Fire Inspector Certification. Repeating a course or course of similar content cannot be used towards higher levels of certification.

§429.7.Minimum Standards for Advanced Fire Inspector Certification.

(a) Applicants for Advanced Fire Inspector certification must complete the following requirements:

(1) hold as a prerequisite an Intermediate Fire Inspector Certification as defined in §429.5 of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Intermediate Fire Inspector Certification);

(2) acquire a minimum of eight years of fire protection experience and complete the courses contained in one of the following options:

(A) Option 1--Successfully complete six semester hours of fire science or fire technology from an approved Fire Protection Degree Program and submit documentation as required by the Commission that the courses comply with subsections (c) and (d) of this section; or

(B) Option 2--Complete a minimum of 96 hours of instruction in any National Fire Academy courses; or

(C) Option 3--Successfully complete three semester hours of college courses contained in Option 1 and a minimum of 48 hours in any National Fire Academy courses.

(D) Option 4--Successfully complete any combination of courses that lead to International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certification that total 96 recommended hours or more in the Commission curricula. Evidence of completion of the appropriate courses shall be a certification from the Commission or a valid documentation from another jurisdiction of accreditation from IFSAC. Option 4 may not be combined with any of the above options to obtain this certification. See exception outlined in subsection (d) of this section.

(b) College level courses from both the upper and lower division may be used to satisfy the education requirement for Advanced Fire Inspector Certification.

(c) Non-traditional credit awarded at the college level, such as credit for experience or credit by examination obtained from attending any school in the commission's document titled "Commission Certification Curriculum Manual" or for experience in the fire service, may not be counted toward higher levels of certification.

(d) The training required in this section must be in addition to any training used to qualify for any lower level of Fire Inspector Certification. Repeating a course or course of similar content cannot be used towards higher levels of certification.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 20, 2002.

TRD-200203100

Gary L. Warren, Sr.

Executive Director

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Effective date: June 9, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 1, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921


Chapter 461. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

37 TAC §461.1

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) adopts an amendment to §461.1, concerning voting guidelines for members of the Funds Allocation Advisory Committee (FAAC), without changes to the text published in the February 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1287).

The result of enforcing the amendment will be a clearer description of the role of the FAAC in processing applications for funding through the Fire Department Emergency Program (FDEP).

The amendment adds language to prevent committee members from voting on applications from their respective fire departments.

No comments were received on the proposed amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code, §419.008, which provides the TCFP with authority to adopt rules for the administration of its powers and duties and Texas Government Code, §419.054, which provides the FAAC with authority to review the TCFP rules relating to the FDEP and to recommend changes in the rules.

Texas Government Code, §§419.052 - 419.063 are affected by the proposed amendment.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 20, 2002.

TRD-200203101

Gary L. Warren, Sr.

Executive Director

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Effective date: June 9, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921