SB1177

Regular Session

Relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Commission on Fire Protection • Local Fire Marshals / Fire Departments • Texas Education Agency (Public/Charter oversight)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: Schools must be fully compliant prior to their first scheduled fire inspection occurring on or after September 1, 2025.
Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) is required to update inspector training curriculums. Warning: The statutory obligation for the inspection exists as of the effective date, regardless of whether the local Fire Marshal has completed the updated TCFP training module.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Conduct an Internal Audit: Direct Facilities Directors to physically inspect every AED by August 1, 2025, ensuring no consumables expire before December 2025.
2. Update Filing Protocols: Establish a physical or digital binder at *each* campus location specifically for "Fire & AED Inspection Reports," indexed by year.
3. Brief Legal Counsel: Prepare your legal team to challenge local Fire Marshals who may attempt to shut down facilities based solely on AED findings before TCFP rules are finalized.
4. Notify Vendors: Send formal notice to AED service providers regarding the new statutory deadline and stricter SLA requirements.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

AED Maintenance Vendors: Review Service Level Agreements (SLAs) immediately. Amend contracts to require replacement of consumables (pads/batteries) 30 days prior to expiration rather than "upon expiration."
Indemnification: Add clauses holding vendors liable for re-inspection fees or operational delays resulting from a fire inspection failure caused by their failure to maintain device readiness.

Hiring/Training

Designated Presenter: The law requires a school representative to "present" the device. You must designate and train specific staff (Facilities Director or School Nurse) to accompany the Fire Marshal, unlock cabinets, and physically present the AED for inspection.
Intake Training: Front-office staff must be trained to timestamp the receipt of the Fire Marshal’s report, as the inspector is now required to document the specific time and method of delivery.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Decentralized Filing: You must file the inspection report at the specific campus to which it relates. Centralizing records at a district HQ or diocesan office without a duplicate on-site copy is a violation.
Chronological Indexing: Records must be organized by the year in which the inspection occurred.
Verification: Upon receipt, the administrator must verify the report explicitly documents the AED check (pads, battery, status light). If missing, demand an amended report immediately to avoid liability gaps.

Fees & Costs

No New State Fees: There are no new statutory fees for the inspection itself.
Operational Costs: Budget for expedited shipping of batteries/pads if an audit reveals upcoming expirations prior to a scheduled inspection. Potential re-inspection fees from local municipalities if an AED failure causes a failed inspection.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Consequences of Failure: The statute does not explicitly state if a failed AED check constitutes a failure of the *entire* fire safety inspection (potentially blocking a Certificate of Occupancy) or merely results in a citation. Until TCFP clarifies, you must operate under the assumption that a dead AED battery could halt facility operations.
Scope of "Functionality": The law defines functionality as checking pads, batteries, and the status light. However, individual Fire Marshals may interpret this to include the cabinet alarm or the presence of a "ready kit" (razor/scissors). Prepare for inconsistent enforcement standards during the first 12 months.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsEducation Education--primary & Secondary Education--primary & Secondary--general Safety State Agencies, Boards & Commissions Defibrillators Fire Safety & Prevention Fire Protection, Texas Commission On Medicine & Prescription Drugs Staff Development & Training

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1177
89R9062 GP-F	By: Alvarado
	Local Government
	4/4/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In August, the tragic passing of a Houston middle school student highlighted the need for enhanced safety measures in Texas schools. This proposed legislation strengthens fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring routine inspections of critical life-saving equipment during the school fire inspection. Specifically, it ensures that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are fully functional, with unexpired pads and batteries. AEDs are crucial tools and ensuring their accessibility and effectiveness in schools can make a significant difference in the outcomes of emergency situations.

Strengthening preventive measures in schools such as this not only safeguards the well-being of students and staff alike but also confirms that essential resources are ready when needed most. Through this effort, schools and trained personnel can aim to create a safer school environment.

As proposed, S.B. 1177 amends current law relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 419.029, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.

(b) Requires that the minimum curriculum requirements established by the Public Safety Commission under Subsection (a) (relating to minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory, in-service, and advanced courses and programs for training fire protection personnel or recruits) require training on conducting a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance with Section 419.909 (Fire Safety Inspections).

SECTION 2. Amends Section 419.909, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (b-2), as follows:

(b-1) Requires that a fire safety inspection of a public or private school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance include an examination of certain items.

(b-2) Requires a person who conducts a fire safety inspection described by Subsection (b-1) to include in the written report of the inspection of the school the findings from the examinations required by that subsection. Requires that the report also state the method by which the school's administrators were notified of the results of the inspection and the time and date the notification occurred.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Carol AlvaradoDemocrat · Primary Author

Coauthors (2)

House Sponsors

Rep. Jeff LeachRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Cosponsors (1)

Terri Leo-Wilson (R)

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1177

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 419.029, Government Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 419.029. TRAINING CURRICULUM. (a) The commission may
	establish minimum curriculum requirements for preparatory,
	in-service, and advanced courses and programs for a school operated
	by or for this state or a local government specifically for training
	fire protection personnel or recruits.
	(b) The minimum curriculum requirements established by the
	commission under Subsection (a) must require training on conducting
	a fire safety inspection at a public or private school in accordance
	with Section 419.909.
	SECTION 2. Section 419.909, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), and (b-3) to read as follows:
	(b-1) A fire safety inspection of a public or private
	school, including an open-enrollment charter school, required by a
	state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance must include an
	examination of each automated external defibrillator, as defined by
	Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code, on the school campus to
	determine whether the defibrillator is fully functional, which must
	include verifying that that defibrillator's pads and battery have
	not expired and that the defibrillator's status indicator light
	indicates that the device is ready for use. A representative of the
	school campus shall present each automated external defibrillator
	for inspection.
	(b-2) A person who conducts a fire safety inspection
	described by Subsection (b-1) must:
	(1) provide a written report of the inspection and any
	relevant paperwork pertaining to the findings of the inspection to:
	(A) if the inspection is of a public school, the
	principal of the school and the superintendent of the applicable
	school district; or
	(B) if the inspection is of a private school, the
	director of the school; and
	(2) at the time the person provides the report as
	required by Subdivision (1), indicate on the report the method by
	which, and the time and date on which, the person provided the
	report to the appropriate person under that subdivision.
	(b-3) The report required under Subsection (b-2) must be
	filed:
	(1) at the school campus to which the report relates;
	and
	(2) according to the year in which the inspection
	occurred.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 6, 2025

TO:	Honorable Paul Bettencourt, Chair, Senate Committee on Local Government

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1177 by Alvarado (Relating to fire safety inspections at public and private schools.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to establish additional curriculum requirements relating to fire safety inspections conducted at public or private schools. While the agency has indicated the rule development process may require contracting with a medical professional, it is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

411 Commission on Fire Protection, 454 Department of Insurance, 701 Texas Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JMc, SZ, CSh, JLa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1177

What does Texas SB1177 do?

Effective September 1, 2025, SB1177 mandates that all public and private school fire safety inspections must include a physical verification of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). This legislation integrates medical device maintenance into statutory fire safety compliance, meaning a lapsed AED battery now jeopardizes your facility's fire safety certification. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Schools must be fully compliant prior to their first scheduled fire inspection occurring on or after September 1, 2025.

Who authored SB1177?

SB1177 was authored by Texas Senator Carol Alvarado during the Regular Session.

When was SB1177 signed into law?

SB1177 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1177?

SB1177 is enforced by Texas Commission on Fire Protection, Local Fire Marshals / Fire Departments and Texas Education Agency (Public/Charter oversight).

How urgent is compliance with SB1177?

The compliance urgency for SB1177 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1177?

The cost impact of SB1177 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1177 address?

SB1177 addresses topics including education, education--primary & secondary, education--primary & secondary--general, safety and state agencies, boards & commissions.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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