Amend SB 371 on 3rd reading in SECTION 2.07 of the bill by
striking new Section 419.073, Government Code (committee report,
page 26, line 8, through page 27, line 18), and substituting the
following:
      Sec. 419.073.  INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATE HOLDER;
CERTIFICATE RENEWAL.  (a)  A person may be certified as a volunteer
fire fighter and continue to hold and renew the certificate without
regard to whether the person is affiliated or continues to be
affiliated with a volunteer fire department.
      (b)  A person who is certified as a volunteer fire fighter
who is not affiliated with a volunteer fire department may renew an
unexpired certificate before the expiration of the certificate by:
            (1)  submitting evidence satisfactory to the commission
of completion of any required professional education; and
            (2)  paying to the commission the required renewal fee.
      (c)  If the person's certificate has been expired for 30 days
or less, the person may renew the certificate by:
            (1)  submitting evidence satisfactory to the commission
of completion of any required professional education; and
            (2)  paying to the commission the required renewal fee
and a fee that is one-half of the certification fee for the
certificate.
      (d)  If the person's certificate has been expired for longer
than 30 days but less than one year, the person may renew the
certificate by:
            (1)  submitting evidence satisfactory to the commission
of completion of any required professional education; and
            (2)  paying to the commission all unpaid renewal fees
and a fee that is equal to the certification fee for the
certificate.
      (e)  If the person's  certificate has been expired for one
year or longer, the person may not renew the certificate.  The
person may obtain a new certificate by submitting to the
proficiency examination or repeating  the requirements and
procedures for obtaining an original certificate.  The commission
shall charge a fee to cover the cost of administering the
proficiency examination.
      (f)  At least 30 days before the expiration of the
certificate of a person who is not affiliated with a volunteer fire
department, the commission shall send written notice of the
impending certificate expiration to the last known address of the
person according to the records of the commission.
      (g)  The commission shall establish by rule the procedures
and requirements for evidence of compliance with this section.
      (h)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commission by rule
may establish a procedure to waive the late fees or examination
required by this section for a person whose certificate expired
because of the person's good faith clerical error, including the
person's failure to submit fees in a timely manner.