NDT C.S.H.B. 37 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
C.S.H.B. 37
By: Goolsby
4-23-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

In the past, many contractors have cost the State revenue for non-payment
of appropriate taxes, and insurance, while at the same time, not providing
adequate protection for their workers and protecting the property owners
by whom they were employed. Many of these contractors also were not in
compliance with national and municipal building codes with regard to
certain fire and safety requirements. Texas is prepared by all accounts to
experience continued growth in many sectors of our economy, including the
construction trades. It is imperative that the State of Texas act now to
protect the consumer. 

PURPOSE

C.S.H.B. 37 would establish the Plastering Contractors Advisory Board, and
provide for the registration of plastering contractors. CSHB 37 would also
establish the requirements for registration, renewal, continuing
education, suspension, and revocation of plastering contractors.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the committee that rulemaking authority is granted in
Section 3, and Section 5 of the bill to the department of licensing and
regulation. 


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.   DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board," "commission," "commissioner,"
"department," "exterior insulation finish system," "metal lathing,"
"plastering," "plastering contractor," "spray fireproofing," and "person."

SECTION 2.  PLASTERING CONTRACTORS ADVISORY BOARD.  (a) The Plastering
Contractors Advisory Board is established as an advisory board to the
department.  The board is comprised of six members appointed by the
commissioner and member may hold office for two years, with three members'
terms expiring in February 1 of each year.  The commissioner will
designate a member of the board to serve as the board's presiding officer. 

(b) Three of the members appointed under subsection (a) must be plastering
contractors eligible for a certificate of registration and who have at
least 10 years experience in the plaster industry. The remaining three
members will represent the general public but must be familiar with the
plaster industry, including persons who work as architects, general
contractors, and in the field of insurance. 

(c)  The commissioner may remove a member of the board for inefficiency or
neglect of duty in office.  If a vacancy occurs on the board, the
commissioner will appoint a member who represents the same interests as
the former member to serve the rest of the unexpired term. 

(d)  The board will meet at least twice a year at the call of  the
presiding officer at the place designated by the officer.  A decision of
the board is not valid unless a majority of the members are present at the
meeting at which the decision is made. 

(e)  The board will advise the commissioner in adopting rules, setting
fees, establishing registration renewal requirements, and enforcing and
administering this Act. 

 (f)  A member of the board is not entitled to compensation.
Reimbursement for expenses incurred by members of the board are subject to
Section 4, Article 6252-33, Revised Statutes. 

SECTION 3.  ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION; RULES.  (a)  The
commissioner will issue a certificate of registration to an applicant for
registration as a plastering contractor who has the qualifications for a
certificate of registration required by this Act or rule adopted under
this Act. 

(b)  The commissioner will:
 (1) adopt rules relating to issuing a certificate of registration under
this Act; and   
 (2) prescribe all forms required under this Act.

(c)  A certificate of registration under this Act is valid for one year
from the date of issuance. 

SECTION 4.  REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  To qualify for a certificate
of registration under this Act, a person must apply on a form prescribed
by the commissioner and pay any application and registration fees required
by the commission.  The applicant must show evidence of financial
responsibility by posting a bond in an amount prescribed by the
commissioner. 

(b)  An applicant under this Act will provide proof that the person is
covered by insurance by presenting a copy of the person's certificate of
workers' compensation coverage or alternative coverage and proof of the
person's general liability insurance coverage.  Proof of insurance
coverage under this section must include: 
 (1) the policy number and name of the insurer;
 (2) the amounts of coverage;
 (3) the effective date and expiration date of the coverage; and
 (4) the signature of the insurance agent providing coverage.

(c)  An application under this section must be notarized and contain the
applicant's state identification number, if any, sales tax number, and
Internal Revenue Service employer identification number. 

(d)  The business name used by an applicant under this section must be the
same on all documents included with the application. 

(e)  The applicant will provide a telephone number and mailing address.
The applicant will also provide the address where the applicant is
physically located, if different from the mailing address. 

(f)  If the applicant is a partnership or corporation, the applicant must
provide: 
 (1) the name of each owner of the applicant firm; and
 (2) the name and signature of the individual who filed the application
for the firm. 

SECTION 5.  FEES.   The commission by rule will set application and
registration fees under this Act.  

SECTION 6.  REGISTRATION RENEWAL; CONTINUING EDUCATION.  (a) A person
holding a certificate of registration may renew the certificate by: 
 (1) completing the renewal registration application form prescribed by
the    commissioner; 
   (2) paying the renewal fee set by the commission;
 (3) providing a new bond or a continuation certificate for the existing
bond that satisfies the requirements of Section 4(a) of this Act regarding
evidence of financial responsibility; 
 (4) providing proof that the person satisfies the workers' compensation
insurance and liability coverage requirements under Section 4(b) of this
Act; and 
 (5) providing proof that the person has satisfied the continuing
education and other renewal requirements adopted by the commissioner. 

(b)  To renew a certificate of registration under this section, the person
must be present evidence that 10 hours of classroom study in subjects
required by the commissioner during the 12 months  preceding the date of
renewal. 

(c)  A holder of a certificate of registration under this Act who fails to
renew the certificate before the date of registration expires must pay a
late fee set by the commission in addition to other renewal requirements
of this section. 

SECTION 7.  COMMISSIONER AND DEPARTMENT DUTIES; INSPECTIONS.   (a) The
commission will enforce this Act. 

(b)  The department will investigate allegations of violations of this
Act.  The department may enter any place of business or other
establishment at which the alleged illegal activity occurs during
reasonable business hours and without advance notice. 

SECTION 8.  SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, AND RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION;
REISSUANCE.  (a)  After a hearing, the commissioner will suspend or revoke
a certificate of registration on a finding that a person: 
 (1) made a material misstatement in an application for a certificate of
registration; 
 (2) wilfully disregarded or violated this Act or a rule adopted under
this Act; 
 (3) wilfully aided or abetted another in the violation of this Act or a
rule adopted under this Act; 
 (4) was convicted for a crime an essential element of which is
misstatement, fraud, dishonesty, or a felony; or 
 (5) engaged in dishonorable or unethical conduct likely to deceive,
defraud, or harm the public. 

(b)  The commissioner may reissue a certificate of registration to a
person whose certificate of registration has been revoked if the person
applies in writing to the department and show good cause to justify
reissuing the certificate of registration. 

SECTION 9.  PROHIBITED ACTS.  (a) Except as provided by subsection(c), a
person may not engage in metal lathing, plastering, spray proofing, or the
application of an exterior insulation finish system for compensation
unless the person holds a plastering contractor certificate of
registration under this Act. 

(b)  A person may not bid on or accept a prime contract to engage in metal
lathing, plastering, spray fireproofing, or the application of an exterior
insulation finish system unless the person is registered as a plastering
contractor under this Act. 

(c)  The requirement under this subsection (a) does not apply to a person
who performs plastering contacting if, 
 (1) the person is a maintenance man or engineer who is a bona fide
employee of the property, the property lessee, or the management company
managing the property where the maintenance work is being performed; 
 (2) the work is performed in connection with the business in which the
person is employed; and 
 (3) the person and the person's employer referred to in (1) do not engage
in the occupation of plastering contracting for the general public. 

(d)  The work described by subsection (c) of this section remains subject
to any permit, inspection, or approval requirements prescribe by a
municipal ordinance. 

SECTION 10.  OFFENSE; ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY.  (a)  A person commits an
offense if the person knowingly or intentionally acts as a plastering
contractor without a certificate of registration under this Act.  An
offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. 

(b) A person who violates this Act or rule adopted under this Act is
subject to an administrative penalty assessed by the commission as
provided by Section 17, Article 9100, Revised Statutes. 

SECTION 11.  TRANSITION.  In making the initial appointments to the
Plastering Contractors Advisory Board, the commissioner will designate
three members for terms expiring on February  1, 1999, and three members
for terms expiring on February 1, 2000. 

SECTION 12.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  (a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of
this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 

(b)  Sections 9 and 10 of this Act take effect March 1, 1998.

SECTION 13.  EMERGENCY.  Emergency clause.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE.

SECTION 1.  (7)  First change: Deletes the words "The definition" and adds
the words "The term".  Second change: Deletes the word "apply" and adds
"include".  Third change: Adds the following words:  installing,
texturing, or applying acoustical material. 

SECTION 2.  The word "in" has been deleted.

SECTION 4.  (a) The word "or" has been deleted and the word "of" added.  
(b) The word "equivalent" is changed to "alternative".

SECTION 7.  (a) The word "commission" has been deleted and the word
"commissioner" added. 

SECTION 9.  (b)  The word "fire" is changed to "finish".  
(c) The words "The requirement under this" is deleted.  The word
"contacting" is deleted and the word "contracting" is added.  (1) The word
"man" is deleted and the word "worker" is added. 
(3) The first "The" is deleted and the word "the" is added (capitalization
error).  The words "referred to in (1)" has been deleted.  (d) This entire
section has been re-worded but the integrity of the language has not
changed. 

SECTION 10.  (a)  Changes the criminal offense from a Class A misdemeanor
to a Class C misdemeanor.  (b) The word "violated" has been deleted and
the word "violates" has been added.