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House Bill 2643 |
House Author: Hamilton |
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Effective: 6-17-11 |
Senate Sponsor: Watson |
House Bill 2643 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the governing body of a municipality with a population of at least one million that is located predominantly in a county that has a total area of less than 1,000 square miles to authorize the establishment and use by certain organized religious societies or sects, as specified by the bill, of a perpetual care cemetery located inside the boundaries of the municipality if the municipality determines that the establishment or use of the cemetery does not adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare.
House Bill 2643 also revises provisions relating to the regulation of elevators, escalators, and related equipment. The bill, among other provisions regarding inspection, certification, and registration of contractors, requires that Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation rules provide for (1) general liability insurance, with specified coverage amounts, as a condition of contractor registration; (2) submission and review of plans for installation or alteration of equipment; and (3) continuing education requirements for renewal of contractor registration. A contractor who registers with the department is required to designate a responsible party and each contractor's responsible party is required to complete continuing education requirements before the contractor may renew the contractor's registration.
In addition, House Bill 2643 amends and repeals certain provisions of the Occupations Code relating to the licensing and regulation of air conditioning and refrigeration contractors and technicians. It requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules providing for the licensing and registration of persons under the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Law, establishing fees necessary for the administration of the law, and implementing the requirements of that law as applicable to regulated persons, entities, and activities. Previous law required the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to set insurance requirements for a license holder whereas the bill requires the commission by rule to set those requirements. The bill, among other provisions, revises eligibility requirements for an applicant for an air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license and makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a person to knowingly engage in air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance work without holding a valid license and registration. The bill establishes conditions under which a person performing air conditioning and refrigeration related work is not required to obtain a valid registration and amends provisions relating to the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board, including requirements relating to the composition of the advisory board. Certain provisions relating to air conditioning and refrigeration technicians are revised by the bill, including provisions regarding registration, eligibility requirements, application procedures and fees, the issuance and term of a registration, and the limitations on a registrant.