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Senate Bill 1615 |
Senate Author: Zaffirini |
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Effective: Vetoed |
House Sponsor: Wilson et al. |
Senate Bill 1615 amends the Occupations Code to enact and enter into the cosmetology licensure compact to facilitate the interstate practice and regulation of cosmetology with the goals of improving public access to, and the safety of, cosmetology services and reducing unnecessary burdens related to cosmetology licensure. The bill sets out the compact's provisions and designates the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as the compact administrator for Texas.
Governor's Reason for Veto: "Before ceding sovereign power over our State's cosmetologists to a Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission that does not yet exist, Texas should wait and see who joins this proposed interstate compact. There is simply no need to rush into such an arrangement, as evidenced by the fact that Senate Bill No. 1615 would not even go into effect until 2026.
"I have long been a champion of occupational‑licensing reforms like those in Senate Bill No. 1615, especially when they help military spouses. That is why I signed Senate Bill No. 1200 into law in 2019. As a result, a military spouse with an out‑of‑state license can now practice a trade in the Lone Star State without the hassle of securing another license from Texas.
"To take another example, I signed House Bill No. 3742 in 2015 so that Texas can enter into licensing‑reciprocity agreements with sister states. Instead of waiting until 2026 for someone else to cut red tape, I hereby direct the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to redouble its efforts on entering into those bilateral agreements. A copy of this disapproval message shall be filed with that state agency.
"There will be time enough to reassess the membership and direction of this Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission in 2025, when the 89th Legislature convenes. Meanwhile, I will continue to defend Texas's sovereignty and push for real reforms that let Texans get to work."