(a) In this section, “fire department,” “fire protection personnel,” and “local government” have the meanings assigned by § 419.021.
(b) An organization that is not a local government, a department of a local government, or a state or federal agency is subject to regulation by the commission under Subchapter B if the organization:
(1) provides fire protection for a local government for profit under a contract or other agreement with the local government; and
(2) would be a fire department if it were a department of a local government.

(c) A person who is not an employee of a local government or of a state or federal agency is subject to regulation by the commission under Subchapter B if the person:
(1) provides fire protection for a local government under a contract or other agreement between the local government and either the person or an organization subject to regulation under Subsection (b); and
(2) would be fire protection personnel if employed by a local government.
(d) A person or organization that is subject to regulation by the commission under this section is subject to Subchapter B and applicable commission rules to the same extent that Subchapter B and applicable commission rules apply to a fire department or to fire protection personnel.
(e) The commission may create a separate certification class for persons regulated under this section.
(f) A local government which provided fire protection for its citizens utilizing a fire department and fire protection personnel as of May 31, 1997, may not thereafter provide fire protection by utilizing an organization which is not a local government, a department of local government, or a state or federal agency and which provides fire protection for the local government for profit under a contract or other agreement with the local government without approval of a majority of the voters at an election called for that purpose.