By: Kerwin H.B. No. 3049       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the designation of animal control officers as first   responders.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 421.095, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 421.095.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter                (1)  "First responder" means a public safety employee   or volunteer whose duties include responding rapidly to an   emergency. The term includes:                      (A)  a peace officer whose duties include   responding rapidly to an emergency;                      (B)  fire protection personnel under section   419.021;                      (C)  a volunteer firefighter who is:                            (i)  certified by the Texas Commission on   Fire Protection or by the state Firemen's and Fire Marshals'   Association of Texas; or                            (ii)  a member of an organized volunteer   fire-fighting unit as described by section 615.003;                      (D)  an individual certified as emergency medical   services personnel by the Department of State Health Services;                      (E)  an emergency response operator or emergency   services dispatcher who provides communication support services   for an agency by responding to requests for assistance in   emergencies;                      (F)  an animal control officer whose duties   include responding rapidly to an emergency; and                      (G)  other emergency response personnel employed   by an agency.          SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.