1. (a) A nongovernmental entity may apply to the commission for regulation under Subchapter B if:

   1. (1) the entity is the employing authority for persons who, if employed by a local government, would be fire protection personnel under Section 419.021; and

   2. (2) at the time of application, those fire protection employees are employed to provide fire protection for an unincorporated area that:

      1. (A) constitutes a rating territory established by the State Board of Insurance with a protected key rate assigned by the board; and
      2. (B) has a population of more than 25,000.
2. (b) The commission shall prescribe the procedures under which a nongovernmental entity may apply for regulation under this section and the means by which it may present evidence that it is eligible for regulation under Subsection (a).
3. (c) The commission shall determine whether an entity that has applied for regulation under this section is eligible for regulation under Subsection (a). The commission shall approve a request for regulation if the entity meets the requirements of Subsection (a), and the commission shall notify the applying entity and the affected fire protection employees of its decision.
4. (d) A nongovernmental entity, department, and fire protection employee regulated under this section are subject to Subchapter B and applicable commission rules to the same extent that Subchapter B and applicable commission rules apply to a local government, a fire department, or fire protection personnel employed by a local government.
5. (e) A person, department, or other entity that is subject to regulation under this section is entitled to a reasonable period in which to comply with the requirements of Subchapter B and applicable commission rules. The commission by rule shall determine the time period in which a person, department, or other entity must come into compliance with each requirement.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 628, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.