SRC-HRD H.B. 1391 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1391 By: Torres (Barrientos) International Relations, Trade & Technology 5-12-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there is no mandate that licensed air conditioning contractors fulfill any continuing education requirements. However, many contractors already participate in educational seminars and training courses offered by air conditioning equipment manufacturers and professional associations to keep abreast of the complex changes in these industries. This bill would require air conditioning contractors to attend no fewer than eight hours of continuing education courses approved by the commissioner of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Proof of attendance must be provided to the commissioner in order for the contractor's license to be renewed. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1391 requires air conditioning contractors to attend no fewer than eight hours of continuing education courses approved by the commissioner of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and requires proof of attendance to be provided to the commissioner in order for the contractor's license to be renewed. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under SECTION 1 (Sections 4B(a) and(b), Article 8861, V.T.C.S). SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 4B, Article 8861, V.T.C.S. (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License Law), to require the commissioner of licensing and regulation (commissioner), by rule, to establish guidelines for continuing education programs for licensees, rather than authorizing the commissioner to recognize, prepare, or administer continuing education programs for licensees. Requires a person seeking to provide a continuing education program to meet the requirements adopted by rule of the commissioner. Authorizes an applicant that meets the requirements and that is approved by the commissioner to provide continuing education programs until the second anniversary of the date the provider's application was approved. Authorizes a provider to reapply to the commissioner to act as a provider for additional two-year periods. SECTION 2. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1997. (b) Requires the commissioner of licensing and regulation to adopt rules and the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt fees under this Act not later than January 1, 1998. (c) Provides that notwithstanding Section 4B(b), Article 8861, V.T.C.S., as added by this Act, a person who holds a license under that Act on the effective date of this Act is not required to fulfill continuing education required under that section to renew the license before September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.