BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 653
By: Galloway (Ogden)
5-16-95
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

Texas law allows the State Board of Registration for Professional
Engineers to adopt reduced application fees for professional
registered engineers who are at least 65 years of age.  Disabled,
non-practicing engineers often choose to remain registered in order
to remain active in engineering associations and maintain standing
as an engineer.  Many of these engineers cannot afford the fee to
maintain a license.


PURPOSE

S.B. 653 authorizes the State Board of Registration for
Professional Engineers to adopt reduced annual renewal and
registration fees for certain engineers who are at least 65 years
of age or who are disabled and not currently engaged in the active
practice of engineering.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in
SECTION 1 and SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 13(d), Article 3271a, V.T.C.S. (The Texas
Engineering Practice Act), to authorize the State Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers (board), by rule, to adopt
reduced registration fees for engineers who are at least 65 years
of age.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 13, Article 3271a, V.T.C.S., to authorize
the board, by rule, to adopt reduced registration and annual fees
for engineers who are disabled and not currently engaged in the
active practice of engineering.  Defines "disabled."  Requires an
engineer entitled to reduced fees to notify the board within 15
days of the resumption of active practice.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 13B(c), Article 3271a, V.T.C.S., to make
conforming changes.

SECTION 4. Repealer:  Section 13(d), Article 3271a, V.T.C.S.
(Applications; Fees).

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1995.  Applicable to
registration, annual renewal, or reciprocal registration fees paid
to the Board that become due on or after effective date.  A fee
collected on or after that date, but due before date, is governed
by law in effect.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SB 653 was considered in a Formal Meeting on May 16, 1995.  The
Chair laid out and explained the bill.  There was no objection. 
Rep. Wilson moved that the full committee adopt SB 653, and that it
be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the
following vote:  AYES: 7, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 2.