Code Enforcement (Texas definition) - Answers The inspection, improvement and rehabilitation of
environmental hazards in public and private premises by determining the presence of fire or health
hazards, nuisance violations, unsafe building conditions, and violations of any fire, health, or building
regulation, statute, or ordinance.
Code Enforcement Officer-in-Training - Answers An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this
state who engages in code enforcement but who has less than one year of experience in the field of
code enforcement and is supervised by a registered Code Enforcement Officer.
Civil Action - Answers Legal action to protect a private civil right or to compel a civil remedy (as
distinguished from criminal prosecution).
Code Enforcement Officer - Answers An agent of this state or a political subdivision of this state who
engages in code enforcement and has one year or more of experience in the field of code enforcement.
Injunction - Answers A judicial remedy issued in order to prohibit a party from doing or continuing to do
a certain activity.
General Law cities - Answers operate under the laws of the state with some exceptions to those laws.
Lien - Answers an encumbrance or legal burden upon a property.
The code enforcement officer examination measures the ______ and _______ required to be a code
enforcement officer. - Answers skills, knowledge
As least three different "hats" that a code enforcement officer wears. - Answers Fire, Animal Control,
Police, Social Worker, Economic Developer, Law Interpreter, Health Official
Testimony - Answers the evidence given by a witness under oath. It does not include evidence from
documents and other physical evidence.
Search Warrant - Answers A written order issued by a judge that directs a law enforcement officer to
search a specific area for a particular piece of evidence.
First P in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Proactive
First R in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Responsive
First E in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Empathetic
Second P in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Patient
A in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Alert
Second R in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Ready
, Second E in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Educated
D in the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D. - Answers Disciplined
House Bill (HB) 2437 - Answers Amended by the Texas Legislature in 2001 to require continuing
education for all code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers-in-training, beginning with
renewals after September 1, 2002.
Absolute Immunity - Answers The status of a person or body that places one beyond the law and frees
one from legal obligations. Immunity for building official or CEO, not liable for their discretionary acts.
Sovereign Immunity - Answers An exemption that precludes bringing a suit against the sovereign
government without the government's consent. The doctrine of sovereign immunity originated with the
maxim that the king can do no wrong.
Substantive Law - Answers Law with the purpose of prevention of harm to society that prescribes
punishment for specific offenses. The basic law of rights and duties as opposed to "remedial law," which
provides methods of enforcement.
Substantive Due Process - Answers The right of all persons to receive the guarantees and safeguards of
the law and the judicial process. It includes such constitutional requirements as adequate notice,
assistance of counsel, and the rights to remain silent, to a speedy and public trial, to an impartial jury,
and to confront and secure witnesses.
Inspection - Answers A critical examination of somebody or something aimed at forming a judgment or
evaluation.
Improvement - Answers The process of making something better or of becoming better.
Dillon's Rule - Answers Municipal governments only have the powers that are expressly granted to them
by the state legislature, those that are necessarily implied from that grant of power, and those that are
essential and indispensable to the municipalities' existence and functioning.
Home Rule - Answers The power of a city to govern itself so long as charter provisions or ordinances are
not inconsistent with state law.
Home Rule Charter - Answers Organizational plan or framework of a municipal corporation like a
constitution of a state or nation; it is drawn up by the municipality and adopted by popular vote of the
people.
Enabling Legislation - Answers The act of giving or enacting laws; in contrast to court-made laws.
Lis Pendens - Answers A pending lawsuit.
Return - Answers A report to a judge by police on the implementation of an arrest or search warrant.
Also, a report to a judge in reply to a subpoena, civil or criminal.