Monitoring the Session

SB 2143

counties can commission fire marshals as peace officers

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the authority of a county to commission certain individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement agencies.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Fire code work, yes. Traffic laws only when tied to fire code work.

The bill lets a county give peace officer status to its fire marshals, fire officers, fire inspectors and fire investigators, so they can enforce fire and building codes and support fire investigations. These commissioned fire officers may not enforce traffic laws except when tied to fire code work or when arrest law already allows it. The bill also says a county may set up a law enforcement agency only if the constitution or another law allows it, starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Charles Perry (R) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Ray Lopez (D) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2143 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to the authority of a county to commission certain individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement agencies.

WHAT IT DOES

Fire code work, yes. Traffic laws only when tied to fire code work.

The bill lets a county give peace officer status to its fire marshals, fire officers, fire inspectors and fire investigators, so they can enforce fire and building codes and support fire investigations. These commissioned fire officers may not enforce traffic laws except when tied to fire code work or when arrest law already allows it. The bill also says a county may set up a law enforcement agency only if the constitution or another law allows it, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Vote taken in committee
  9. Reported favorably as substituted
  10. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  11. Committee report printed and distributed
  12. Co-author authorized
  13. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  14. Laid before the Senate
  15. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  16. Vote recorded in Journal
  17. Three day rule suspended
  18. Record vote
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the Senate
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in formal meeting
  31. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  32. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  33. Committee report distributed
  34. Committee report sent to Calendars
  35. Considered in Calendars
  36. Placed on General State Calendar
  37. Read 2nd time
  38. Amended 1-R. Lopez
  39. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  40. Record vote RV#2962
  41. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote RV#3032
  45. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  46. House passage as amended reported
  47. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  48. Read
  49. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  50. Record vote
  51. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  52. Reported enrolled
  53. Signed in the Senate
  54. Signed in the House
  55. Sent to the Governor
  56. Signed by the Governor
  57. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 105 yea · 39 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 20, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 16, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Charles Perry

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60KRyan Texas PAC$35KFort Stockton Holdings LP$25K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 13, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

Ryan Texas PAC$35,000.00

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$35,000.00

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101057700.

Fort Stockton Holdings LP$25,000.00

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 13, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

×

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

Cash
$35,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$35,000.00

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698, 101057700.

×

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100983698.

Votes6

Senate May 22, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Perry moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 2143. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 20, 2025

Yea
105
Nay
39
Present, not voting
3
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3032

SB 2143 was passed by (Record 3032): 105 Yeas, 39 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 105 (published)
  • Nay: 39 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 19, 2025

Yea
109
Nay
31
Present, not voting
3
Absent
3
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2962

SB 2143, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 2962): 109 Yeas, 31 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 109 (published)
  • Nay: 31 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2143 (Perry) Relating to the authority of a county to commission certain individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement agencies and to certification requirements for fire marshals. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

CSSB 2143 (Perry) Relating to the authority of a county to commission certain individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement agencies and to certification requirements for fire marshals. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Passage to engrossment

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

CSSB 2143 (Perry) Relating to the authority of a county to commission certain individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement agencies and to certification requirements for fire marshals. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses25
For
15
Against
5
On
5
Names

For

  • Game Warden Peace Officers Association1 registration
  • Harris County Commissioners Court1 registration
  • Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #391 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Justices of The Peace and Constables Association of Texas1 registration
  • Self; Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas1 registration
  • Self; Justices of the peace and constables association of texas1 registration
  • Self; Sheriffs Association of Texas1 registration
  • Sheriffs’ Association of Texas2 registrations
  • Texas Municipal Police Association1 registration
  • TMPA1 registration

Against

  • Bexar County Commissioners Court2 registrations
  • Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Tarrant County on behalf of Tarrant County Administration and the Tarrant County Fire Marshal's Office.1 registration
  • Self; Texas Fire Marshals Assocation1 registration
  • Travis County Commissioners Court1 registration

On

  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Commission on Law Enforcement2 registrations
  • Texas Fire Marshals Association1 registration
  • Travis County Commissioners Court1 registration
Sources

25 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 20, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 10, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Royce WestDSenate 23
Sponsors
Ray LopezDHouse 125

House committee · Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

County Government--Employees/Officers

Fire Fighters & Police--General

Law Enforcement

FIRE MARSHAL

PEACE OFFICERS

FIRE PROTECTION, TEXAS COMMISSION ON

Text

The text as introduced · 219 words

89R14463 CS-F

By: Perry
S.B. No. 2143

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of a county to commission certain

individuals as peace officers and establish certain law enforcement

agencies.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 352, Local Government

Code, is amended by adding Section 352.024 to read as follows:

Sec. 352.024. AUTHORITY TO COMMISSION CERTAIN FIRE

PROTECTION OFFICERS AS PEACE OFFICERS. (a) A county may commission

a fire marshal, fire officer, fire inspector, or fire investigator

as a peace officer.

(b) A peace officer commissioned under this section may:

(1) administer this chapter;

(2) support fire-related operations or

investigations;

(3) enforce building-related codes, including codes

involving hazardous materials; and

(4) make recommendations involving building safety.

(c) A peace officer commissioned under this section may not

enforce violations of Subtitle C, Title 7, Transportation Code,

except as related to the enforcement of this chapter or as

authorized by Article 14.03, Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 2. Chapter 362, Local Government Code, is amended

by adding Section 362.006 to read as follows:

Sec. 362.006. ESTABLISHMENT OF CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT

AGENCIES. A county may establish a law enforcement agency only if

authorized by the constitution or other law.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.