|
House Bill 3043 |
House Author: Thompson, Senfronia |
|
Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Garcia |
House Bill 3043 amends the Occupations Code to expand the type of electrical work that falls under the scope of a journeyman lineman license and to require the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to accept, develop, or contract for a journeyman lineman examination that meets specified criteria.
Reason Given for Veto: "State licensure of occupations in many cases impedes free market competition and drives up the costs of services for consumers. Texas law currently allows for the licensure of journeymen linemen. Only 33 individuals have applied for the license since it was authorized in 2013. Current law does not require a license in order to conduct journeyman lineman work, nor should it. The license serves no imperative public purpose, requires unnecessary government bureaucracy, and creates the potential for unionized workers to artificially increase prices for consumers.
"House Bill 3043 is an attempt to increase the number of applicants seeking to be licensed and regulated by the state for conducting lineman work. This would only increase the potential for the license to be used in an anti-competitive manner. Raising the barriers to entry into an occupation should be avoided whenever possible."