| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Negative | Neutral | Negative | Negative |
Relating to authority of a county fire marshal to inspect group homes and assisted living facilities; authorizing a fee; creating a criminal offense.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 504 would allow a county fire marshal to inspect group homes.
Upon a complaint of any person, SB 504 would allow a county fire marshal to enter into a group home or assisted living facility or the premises of a building at any reasonable time to conduct an inspection.
Additionally, the fire marshal would be required to order the removal of a building or structure in which a group home or assisted living facility is located if it is found that the building or structure is dilapidated or susceptible to fire and is found that a fire would endanger persons or property in the building.
A person against whom an order pertains would have to immediately comply with the order to remediate the concerns. The local commissioner's court would be able to prescribe a reasonable fee for an inspection performed by the county fire marshal. Refusal to comply with an order of the county fire marshal would be a Class B misdemeanor.
SB 504 presents a violation of property rights and expands government intervention in a private business beyond what is appropriate of a governmental agency by allowing a county fire marshal to enter a group home or assisted living facility to conduct an inspection whenever someone makes a complaint. This presents an enormous expanse of government overreach. Texas Action opposes SB 504.