Relating to the compensation and benefits for certain peace officers commissioned by the state fire marshal.
Summary
SB 1981 would update several provisions of Texas law to treat peace officers commissioned by the state fire marshal more like other state law enforcement officers for pay and benefit purposes. The bill authorizes the state fire marshal to commission peace officers to serve as fire and arson investigators and to revoke those commissions for just cause, while requiring that those officers be compensated under Schedule C of the state position classification salary schedule.
The bill also amends state employee and hazardous duty leave provisions so that a state fire marshal commissioned peace officer is included in the categories of employees eligible for certain state benefits. In addition, it directs the state auditor’s classification officer to classify the investigator position in the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal’s Office as a Schedule C position for the 2025-2027 biennium, with the change taking effect for that biennium and expiring in 2027. The bill applies the injury-related benefit change only to injuries occurring on or after the effective date, and the act itself would take effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 1981 would amend Government Code provisions governing state employee classification, compensation, and hazardous duty benefits by expressly adding the state fire marshal to existing lists of law enforcement agencies and officers covered by those rules. It would require Schedule C pay treatment for commissioned peace officers working as investigators for the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal’s Office and extend related benefit eligibility to those officers. The bill would also create a temporary classification directive for the state auditor’s office for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, affecting state payroll and benefits administration for this group of employees.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded votes, or formal opposition in the materials provided, so there is no documented debate to indicate strong support or resistance. Based on the bill’s structure and caption, the measure appears to be a targeted compensation-and-benefits adjustment for a specific class of state peace officers, which typically suggests a technical or administrative policy change rather than a broad controversial reform.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. If any concerns were raised, they would likely center on the fiscal impact of moving these positions to Schedule C, the scope of benefit eligibility, or whether the state fire marshal’s commissioned officers should be treated identically to other state law enforcement personnel. However, the record supplied does not identify any named opponents, amendments, or disputed provisions.
Designates all chief fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals, fire marshal IIs and fire marshal Is employed by the county of Suffolk or a town or village therein as peace officers.
Expands certain powers given to peace officers employed by the supervisor of alcohol and tobacco control and peace officers employed by the state fire marshal when certain exigent circumstances exist
Relating to certification requirements for a fire marshal and any related employee, officer, inspector, and investigator appointed by certain counties and emergency services districts.
Grants Nassau county fire marshals, supervising fire marshals, fire marshals, assistant fire marshals, assistant chief fire marshals or chief fire marshals pension benefits for service rendered beyond twenty-five years.