NDT S.B. 452 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES S.B. 452 By: Duncan (Cuellar) 4-28-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Section 2003.022(b) of the Government Code currently limits the potential appointees to the position of Chief Administrative Law Judge of the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to people who: 1) are licensed to practice law in Texas; 2) are board certified in administrative law; and 3) have at least five years experience in conducting administrative hearings. The current requirements restrict otherwise qualified individuals from being appointed as the Chief Administrative Law Judge. PURPOSE This bill proposes to revise the requirements for the appointment of Chief Administrative Law Judge of SOAH so they are similar to the requirements of a state district court judge. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS Section 1: Amends Subsection (b), Section 2003.022, Government Code, to eliminate the requirement that a potential appointee to the position of SOAH Chief Administrative Law Judge be board certified in administrative law and have at least five years experience in conducting administrative hearings under Chapter 2001 of the Government Code; adds the requirement that a potential appointee have practiced administrative law, conducted administrative hearings, or a combination of both, for at least four years. Section 2: Emergency clause.