86R11425 JON-D
By: Lambert H.B. No. 3032
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain requirements for the issuance of an
occupational license to persons licensed in other jurisdictions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 55. EXPEDITED AND ALTERNATIVE LICENSING OF CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS [LICENSING OF MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, MILITARY
VETERANS, AND MILITARY SPOUSES]
SECTION 2. Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended by
designating Sections 55.001 through 55.003 and 55.005 through
55.009 as Subchapter A and adding a subchapter heading to read as
follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. EXPEDITED LICENSING OF MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS,
MILITARY VETERANS, AND MILITARY SPOUSES
SECTION 3. Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter B, and a heading is added to that subchapter to
read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. ALTERNATIVE LICENSING BASED ON SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 4. Sections 55.004 and 55.010, Occupations Code,
are transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Occupations Code, as
added by this Act, redesignated as Sections 55.101 and 55.102,
Occupations Code, and amended to read as follows:
Sec. 55.101 [55.004]. ALTERNATIVE LICENSING FOR
SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT LICENSES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS
[MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, MILITARY VETERANS, AND MILITARY
SPOUSES]. (a) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt
rules for the issuance of the license to an applicant who [is a
military service member, military veteran, or military spouse and]:
(1) holds a current license issued by another
jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are
substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in
this state; or
(2) within the five years preceding the application
date held the license in this state.
(b) The executive director of a state agency may waive any
prerequisite to obtaining a license for an applicant described by
Subsection (a) after reviewing the applicant's credentials.
(c) In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (a), a
state agency that issues a license may adopt rules that would
establish alternate methods for an applicant [a military service
member, military veteran, or military spouse] to demonstrate
competency to meet the requirements for obtaining the license.
Sec. 55.102 [55.010]. NOTICE; REPOSITORY OF SUBSTANTIALLY
EQUIVALENT LICENSES [OF CHAPTER PROVISIONS]. (a) A state agency
that issues a license shall prominently post a notice on the home
page of the agency's Internet website describing the provisions of
this chapter that are available to military service members,
military veterans, and military spouses.
(b) A state agency that issues a license under rules adopted
under Section 55.101 shall notify the Texas Workforce Commission
immediately on determining that the requirements of a license of
this state are substantially equivalent to those of another
jurisdiction.
(c) The Texas Workforce Commission shall prominently post
on the commission's Internet website a list of each license of this
state and license of another jurisdiction that is determined by a
state agency to be substantially equivalent.
SECTION 5. (a) Section 55.101, Occupations Code, as
transferred, redesignated, and amended by this Act, applies only to
an application for a license filed with a state agency, as defined
by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, on or after March 1, 2020. An
application for a license filed before March 1, 2020, is governed by
the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
(b) Each state agency as defined by Section 55.001,
Occupations Code, shall adopt rules under Section 55.101,
Occupations Code, as transferred, redesignated, and amended by this
Act, not later than January 1, 2020.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.