NDT C.S.S.B. 218 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
C.S.S.B. 218
By: Ratliff (Junell)
5-12-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Currently, Article 249a, V.T.C.S., authorizes the Texas Board of
Architectural Examiners (board) to charge an examination fee which cannot
exceed $300.  The 1995 General Appropriations Act authorizes $525 for the
exam. The National Council of Architectural Registration Board has
developed a new computerized national examination that replaces the
four-day paper and pencil examination.  The board does not have the
authority to charge the new cost of the exam, which is $980.  

PURPOSE

S.B. 218 makes it possible for a person applying to take an examination
that has passed parts of a previous exam to be able complete the
examination and pay a fee prescribed by the Board in an amount not to
exceed $300.  The Board may not enter into an agreement to increase the
cost of the examination until a series of public hearings have been held
to determine if the fee increase is acceptable. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 6, Chapter 478, Acts of the 45th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1937 (Article 249a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statues) to
apply to a person that has taken parts of a previous exam and the Board
may not enter into an agreement to increase the cost of the examination
until a series of public hearings are held around the state. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.
  

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute applies to a person that has taken parts of a previous
examination and needs to fulfill the examination requirement for
registration shall pay to the Board a fee prescribed by the Board in an
amount not to exceed $300.  A series of public hearings are to be held
around the state to determine whether a fee increase is acceptable.