By Oakley H.B. No. 967
75R3654 BEM-F
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the licensing and regulation of certain electricians;
1-3 providing a criminal penalty.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the
1-6 Electrical Safety and Electrician Licensing Act.
1-7 SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
1-8 (1) "Apprentice" means an individual who works under
1-9 the supervision of a master or journeyman electrician to gain the
1-10 knowledge and experience required to become a journeyman
1-11 electrician and:
1-12 (A) attends related instruction classes; or
1-13 (B) is a participant in an apprentice program
1-14 that is registered by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau
1-15 of Apprenticeship and Training.
1-16 (2) "Board" means the Texas State Electrician
1-17 Licensing Board.
1-18 (3) "Electrical contracting" means the business of
1-19 planning, laying out, installing, erecting, repairing, or altering
1-20 electrical wires or conductors to be used for the transmission of
1-21 electricity for light, heat, power, or signaling purposes. The
1-22 term includes the installation or repair of molding, ducts,
1-23 raceways, or conduits for the reception or protection of wires or
1-24 conductors, or the installation or repair of any electrical
2-1 machinery, apparatus, or system used for electrical light, heat,
2-2 power, or signaling.
2-3 (4) "Electrical contractor" means a person engaged in
2-4 electrical contracting.
2-5 (5) "Electrical construction" means any work or
2-6 material used in installing, maintaining, or extending an
2-7 electrical wiring system and the appurtenances, apparatus, or
2-8 equipment used in connection with the generation, transmission,
2-9 distribution, and use of electrical energy, within, on, outside, or
2-10 attached to a building, residence, structure, property, or
2-11 premises. The term includes service entrance conductors as defined
2-12 by the National Electrical Code.
2-13 (6) "Electrical work" means the installation,
2-14 erection, repair, or alteration of electrical wires, conductors, or
2-15 other electrical equipment to be used for the transmission of
2-16 electricity for light, heat, power, or signaling purposes. The
2-17 term includes the installation or repair of molding and conductors
2-18 or the installation or repair of electrical wires or equipment.
2-19 (7) "Inspector" means an individual who is qualified
2-20 and appointed to enforce this Act or a municipal ordinance adopted
2-21 under Section 15 of this Act.
2-22 (8) "Journeyman electrician" means an individual who:
2-23 (A) possesses the necessary qualifications,
2-24 training, and technical knowledge to install, maintain, and extend
2-25 electrical conductors and equipment in accordance with the laws and
2-26 rules governing that work;
2-27 (B) works under the general supervision of a
3-1 master electrician in the performance of electrical work contracted
3-2 for by an electrical contractor; and
3-3 (C) does not hold the individual out to the
3-4 public as qualified to contract for the performance of electrical
3-5 work.
3-6 (9) "Master electrician" means an individual who
3-7 possesses the necessary qualifications, training, and technical
3-8 knowledge to plan, lay out, install, and supervise the
3-9 installation, maintenance, and extension of electrical conductors
3-10 and equipment.
3-11 (10) "Person" means an individual, corporation,
3-12 partnership, association, or other legal entity.
3-13 (11) "Residential electrician" means an individual
3-14 who:
3-15 (A) possesses the necessary qualifications,
3-16 training, and technical knowledge to install, maintain, and extend
3-17 electrical conductors and equipment on residential premises, in
3-18 accordance with the laws and rules governing that work;
3-19 (B) works under the general supervision of a
3-20 master electrician;
3-21 (C) performs electrical work contracted for by
3-22 an electrical contractor on residential premises only; and
3-23 (D) does not hold the individual out to the
3-24 public as qualified to contract for the performance of electrical
3-25 work.
3-26 (12) "Training director" means an individual who is
3-27 charged with the responsibility of supervising the training of
4-1 apprentices in a recognized apprenticeship program.
4-2 (13) "Unindentured apprentice" means an individual who
4-3 works under the supervision of a master or journeyman electrician
4-4 to gain the knowledge and experience required to become a
4-5 journeyman electrician.
4-6 SECTION 3. BOARD. (a) The Texas State Electrician
4-7 Licensing Board consists of the executive director, who serves as
4-8 an ex officio member, and nine members appointed by the governor
4-9 subject to confirmation by the senate. Except as provided by
4-10 Subsection (g) of this section, each member is appointed for a term
4-11 of six years. Three appointed members' terms expire on February
4-12 1st of each odd-numbered year. The governor shall make
4-13 appointments to the board without regard to the race, color,
4-14 disability, age, sex, religion, or national origin of the
4-15 appointee. The governor shall appoint members as follows:
4-16 (1) one member must be the chief electrical inspector
4-17 of a municipality with a population of not less than 150,000,
4-18 according to the most recent federal census, selected from a list
4-19 of names submitted by a statewide association of municipal
4-20 governments;
4-21 (2) one member must be the chief electrical inspector
4-22 of a municipality with a population of less than 150,000, according
4-23 to the most recent federal census, selected from a list of names
4-24 submitted by a statewide association of municipal governments;
4-25 (3) one member must be a master electrician selected
4-26 from a list of names submitted by the Independent Electrical
4-27 Contractors of America, Inc., of Texas;
5-1 (4) one member must be a master electrician selected
5-2 from a list of names submitted by the National Electrical
5-3 Contractors Association, Texas Affiliated Chapter;
5-4 (5) one member must represent the general public;
5-5 (6) one member must be a journeyman electrician
5-6 selected from a list of names submitted by the Independent
5-7 Electrical Contractors of America, Inc., of Texas;
5-8 (7) one member must be a journeyman electrician
5-9 selected from a list of names submitted by the Texas State
5-10 Association of Electrical Workers of the International Brotherhood
5-11 of Electrical Workers;
5-12 (8) one member must be a training director selected
5-13 from a list of names submitted by the Independent Electrical
5-14 Contractors of America, Inc., of Texas; and
5-15 (9) one member must be a training director selected
5-16 from a list of names submitted by the Texas State Association of
5-17 Electrical Workers of the International Brotherhood of Electrical
5-18 Workers.
5-19 (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as the public
5-20 member of the board if the person or the person's spouse:
5-21 (1) is registered, certified, or licensed by an
5-22 occupational regulatory agency in the field of electrical
5-23 construction;
5-24 (2) is employed by or participates in the management
5-25 of a business entity or other organization regulated by the board
5-26 or receiving funds from the board;
5-27 (3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
6-1 than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
6-2 organization regulated by the board or receiving funds from the
6-3 board; or
6-4 (4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
6-5 goods, services, or funds from the board, other than compensation
6-6 or reimbursement authorized by law for board membership,
6-7 attendance, or expenses.
6-8 (c) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas
6-9 trade association in the field of electrical construction may not
6-10 be an employee of the board who is exempt from the state's position
6-11 classification plan or is compensated at or above the amount
6-12 prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary
6-13 group 17, of the position classification salary schedule.
6-14 (d) A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or
6-15 paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of
6-16 electrical construction may not be a board employee who is exempt
6-17 from the state's position classification plan or is compensated at
6-18 or above the amount prescribed by the General Appropriations Act
6-19 for step 1, salary group 17, of the position classification salary
6-20 schedule.
6-21 (e) For the purposes of this section, a Texas trade
6-22 association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined
6-23 association of business or professional competitors in this state
6-24 designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in
6-25 dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in
6-26 promoting their common interest.
6-27 (f) A person may not serve as a member of the board or act
7-1 as the general counsel to the board if the person is required to
7-2 register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because
7-3 of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a
7-4 profession related to the operation of the board.
7-5 (g) If a vacancy occurs during a term, the governor shall
7-6 appoint a replacement who meets the qualifications of the vacated
7-7 office to fill the unexpired portion of the term. A member may not
7-8 consecutively serve more than two full terms.
7-9 (h) The board shall elect one of its members to serve as
7-10 presiding officer for a term of one year. The presiding officer
7-11 may vote on all matters before the board.
7-12 (i) A majority constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
7-13 business.
7-14 (j) An appointed board member serves without compensation
7-15 but is entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary
7-16 expenses incurred in performing the functions of the board, subject
7-17 to any applicable limitation of reimbursement provided by the
7-18 General Appropriations Act.
7-19 (k) The board shall meet at least once every four months and
7-20 may meet at other times at the call of the presiding officer or as
7-21 provided by the rules of the board.
7-22 (l) The governor may remove an appointed board member for
7-23 inefficiency, abuse, or neglect of duty in office. In addition, it
7-24 is a ground for removal from the board if a member:
7-25 (1) does not have at the time of appointment the
7-26 qualifications required by Subsection (a) or (b) of this section
7-27 for appointment to the board;
8-1 (2) does not maintain during the service on the board
8-2 the qualifications required by Subsection (a) of this section for
8-3 appointment to the board; or
8-4 (3) violates a prohibition established by Subsections
8-5 (b)-(f) of this section.
8-6 (m) The validity of an action of the board is not affected
8-7 by the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of a member
8-8 of the board existed.
8-9 (n) If the executive director has knowledge that a potential
8-10 ground for removal exists, the executive director shall notify the
8-11 presiding officer of the board of the ground. The presiding
8-12 officer shall then notify the governor that a potential ground for
8-13 removal exists.
8-14 (o) The board is subject to Chapter 551, Government Code,
8-15 and Chapter 2001, Government Code.
8-16 (p) The board is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
8-17 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by
8-18 that Act, the board is abolished and this Act expires effective
8-19 September 1, 2007.
8-20 SECTION 4. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. The board shall:
8-21 (1) employ an executive director who may hire the
8-22 personnel necessary to administer the duties of the board;
8-23 (2) adopt rules consistent with this Act for the
8-24 licensing of electricians;
8-25 (3) establish and collect reasonable and necessary
8-26 fees designed to defray administrative costs for examinations,
8-27 licenses, license renewals, and renewal penalties;
9-1 (4) file with the governor and the presiding officer
9-2 of each house of the legislature a complete and detailed written
9-3 report in October of each year accounting for all funds received
9-4 and disbursed by the board during the preceding fiscal year;
9-5 (5) provide to its members and employees as often as
9-6 is necessary information regarding their qualifications under this
9-7 Act and their responsibilities under applicable laws relating to
9-8 standards of conduct for state officers or employees; and
9-9 (6) take other action as necessary to administer and
9-10 enforce this Act.
9-11 SECTION 5. CAREER LADDER PROGRAM. (a) The executive
9-12 director or the executive director's designee shall develop an
9-13 intra-agency career ladder program, one part of which shall be the
9-14 intra-agency posting of all nonentry level positions for at least
9-15 10 days before any public posting.
9-16 (b) The executive director or designee shall develop a
9-17 system of annual performance evaluations based on measurable job
9-18 tests. All merit pay for board employees must be based on the
9-19 system established under this subsection.
9-20 SECTION 6. COMPLAINTS; CONSUMER INFORMATION. (a) The board
9-21 shall prepare information of public interest describing the
9-22 functions of the board and the board's procedures by which
9-23 complaints are filed with and resolved by the board. The board
9-24 shall make the information available to the public and appropriate
9-25 state agencies.
9-26 (b) The board by rule shall establish methods by which
9-27 consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, mailing
10-1 address, and telephone number of the board for the purpose of
10-2 directing complaints to the board. The board may provide for that
10-3 notification:
10-4 (1) on each registration form, application, or written
10-5 contract for services of a person regulated under this Act;
10-6 (2) on a sign prominently displayed in the place of
10-7 business of each person regulated under this Act; or
10-8 (3) in a bill for service provided by a person
10-9 regulated under this Act.
10-10 (c) The board shall develop and implement policies that
10-11 provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before
10-12 the board and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of the
10-13 board.
10-14 SECTION 7. LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not perform
10-15 electrical work unless the person holds a license issued under this
10-16 Act.
10-17 SECTION 8. EXEMPTIONS. (a) This Act does not apply to:
10-18 (1) installations of electrical equipment in ships,
10-19 watercraft other than floating buildings, railway rolling stock,
10-20 aircraft, or automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and
10-21 recreational vehicles;
10-22 (2) installations of electrical equipment underground
10-23 in mines and in self-propelled mobile surface mining machinery and
10-24 its attendant electrical trailing cable;
10-25 (3) installations of electrical equipment for
10-26 generation, transformation, transmission, or distribution of power
10-27 used exclusively for operation of railway rolling stock or
11-1 exclusively for signaling and communications purposes;
11-2 (4) installations of communications equipment under
11-3 the exclusive control of a communications utility and located
11-4 outdoors or in building spaces used exclusively for those
11-5 installations;
11-6 (5) installations of electrical equipment under the
11-7 exclusive control of an electric utility and used for communication
11-8 or metering or for the generation, control, transformation,
11-9 transmission, and distribution of electric energy, and located:
11-10 (A) in a building used exclusively by a utility
11-11 for those purposes;
11-12 (B) outdoors on property owned or leased by the
11-13 utility;
11-14 (C) on public highways, streets, roads, or other
11-15 public rights-of-way; or
11-16 (D) outdoors by established rights on private
11-17 property;
11-18 (6) work not specifically regulated by municipal
11-19 ordinances that is performed in or on a dwelling by a person who
11-20 owns and resides in the dwelling;
11-21 (7) work involved in the manufacture of electrical
11-22 equipment;
11-23 (8) electrical maintenance work involving the removal,
11-24 maintenance, or repair of existing electrical equipment if:
11-25 (A) the work does not involve extensions,
11-26 relocations, alterations, or additions of electrical wiring and
11-27 equipment;
12-1 (B) the work is performed by a person regularly
12-2 employed as a maintenance person for the building or premises;
12-3 (C) the work is performed in conjunction with
12-4 the business in which the person is employed; and
12-5 (D) the person does not engage in electrical
12-6 work for the general public;
12-7 (9) installation, maintenance, alteration, or repair
12-8 of electrical equipment or associated wiring under the exclusive
12-9 control of a gas utility and used for communication or metering or
12-10 for the control, transmission, or distribution of natural gas; and
12-11 (10) thoroughfare lighting controlled by a
12-12 governmental entity.
12-13 (b) This Act applies to all premises' wiring or to wiring
12-14 other than utility-owned metering equipment, on the load side of
12-15 the service point of buildings, structures, or other premises not
12-16 owned or leased by a utility. This Act applies to installations in
12-17 a building used by a utility for purposes other than a purpose
12-18 listed in this section, such as an office building, warehouse,
12-19 garage, machine shop, or recreational building that is not an
12-20 integral part of a generating plant, substation, or control center.
12-21 SECTION 9. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES. This Act does not affect
12-22 the liability of a person who owns, operates, controls, or installs
12-23 electrical equipment for an injury to a person or to property
12-24 caused by defect in the equipment.
12-25 SECTION 10. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) An applicant for
12-26 registration as an apprentice or an unindentured apprentice must:
12-27 (1) submit to the board a completed application on a
13-1 form prescribed by the board; and
13-2 (2) submit to the board any other information required
13-3 by board rule.
13-4 (b) An applicant for a license as a master electrician,
13-5 journeyman electrician, or residential electrician must:
13-6 (1) submit to the board a completed application on a
13-7 form prescribed by the board;
13-8 (2) submit to the board any other information required
13-9 by board rule;
13-10 (3) have electrical work experience as required by
13-11 this section; and
13-12 (4) pay the application and examination fees.
13-13 (c) An applicant for a license as a master electrician must:
13-14 (1) have a minimum of four years of electrical work
13-15 experience as a journeyman electrician or eight years of practical
13-16 experience; or
13-17 (2) be a professional engineer registered in the state
13-18 with an electrical experience designation recognized by the State
13-19 Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
13-20 (d) An applicant for a license as a journeyman electrician
13-21 must have a minimum of four years of practical experience as an
13-22 apprentice, unindentured apprentice, or residential electrician.
13-23 (e) An applicant for a license as a residential electrician
13-24 must have a minimum of two years of experience as an apprentice or
13-25 unindentured apprentice.
13-26 (f) The board shall adopt rules to define acceptable
13-27 practical experience.
14-1 SECTION 11. EXAMINATION. (a) The executive director shall
14-2 conduct an examination of applicants for licensing as master
14-3 electricians, journeyman electricians, or residential electricians
14-4 at least once each month at times and places designated by the
14-5 board.
14-6 (b) The board shall prescribe the content of the written
14-7 examination, which must test the knowledge of the applicant about
14-8 materials and methods used in electrical installations and
14-9 applicable standards, including the standards prescribed by the
14-10 National Electrical Code. The board may require a practical
14-11 demonstration of electrical installations as part of the
14-12 examination process.
14-13 (c) The board shall determine uniform standards for
14-14 acceptable performance on the examination.
14-15 (d) Not later than the 30th day after the date on which an
14-16 examination is administered under this Act, the board shall notify
14-17 each examinee of the results of the examination. However, if an
14-18 examination is graded or reviewed by a national testing service,
14-19 the board shall notify examinees of the result of the examination
14-20 not later than the 14th day after the date on which the board
14-21 receives the results from the testing service. If the notice of
14-22 the examination results will be delayed for longer than the 90th
14-23 day after the examination date, the board shall notify the
14-24 examinees of the reason for the delay before that day.
14-25 (e) If requested in writing by a person who fails the
14-26 licensing examination administered under this Act, the board shall
14-27 provide to the person an analysis of the person's performance on
15-1 the examination.
15-2 (f) An applicant who does not pass the examination may not
15-3 retake the examination until three months have elapsed from the
15-4 date of the failed examination.
15-5 SECTION 12. REGISTRATION; LICENSE ISSUANCE. (a) The board
15-6 shall issue a certificate of registration as an apprentice or
15-7 unindentured apprentice to a person who complies with the
15-8 application requirements of this Act.
15-9 (b) Not later than the 30th day after the date on which the
15-10 board determines that an applicant has passed the examination
15-11 required under this Act, the board shall issue a master
15-12 electrician, journeyman electrician, or residential electrician
15-13 license, as appropriate, to the applicant if the applicant has
15-14 complied with the application requirements of this Act and paid the
15-15 fees required under this Act.
15-16 (c) A license issued by the board is valid throughout this
15-17 state but is not assignable or transferable.
15-18 (d) A master electrician who meets the requirements of this
15-19 Act may practice electrical contracting anywhere in this state
15-20 without further examination after presenting evidence of a license
15-21 issued under this Act, compliance with the insurance requirements
15-22 established by board rule, and payment of any fees required by the
15-23 municipality in which the work is to be performed.
15-24 SECTION 13. LICENSE RENEWAL; CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a)
15-25 Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, a license
15-26 expires on December 31 of the year in which it is issued and may be
15-27 renewed annually on payment of the required fee and compliance with
16-1 the board's continuing education requirements.
16-2 (b) The board by rule may adopt a system under which
16-3 licenses expire on various dates during the year. For the year in
16-4 which the license expiration date is changed, license fees payable
16-5 on or before December 31 shall be prorated on a monthly basis so
16-6 that each license holder pays only that portion of the license fee
16-7 that is applicable to the number of months during which the license
16-8 is valid. On renewal of the license on the new expiration date,
16-9 the total license renewal fee is due.
16-10 (c) Before the 30th day preceding the expiration of a
16-11 person's license, the board shall notify the person in writing, at
16-12 the person's last known mailing address, of the impending license
16-13 expiration. A person may renew an unexpired license by paying to
16-14 the board, before the expiration date of the license, the required
16-15 renewal fee. If a person's license has been expired for not longer
16-16 than 90 days, the person may renew the license by paying to the
16-17 board the required renewal fee and a late fee in an amount equal to
16-18 half of the examination fee for the license. If a person's license
16-19 has been expired for longer than 90 days but less than two years,
16-20 the person may renew the license by paying to the board all unpaid
16-21 renewal fees and a late fee in an amount equal to the examination
16-22 fee for the license. If a person's license has been expired for
16-23 two years or longer, the person may not renew the license. The
16-24 person may obtain a new license by submitting to re-examination and
16-25 complying with requirements and procedures for obtaining an
16-26 original license.
16-27 (d) The board shall require and may prepare or recognize
17-1 continuing education programs for holders of master and journeyman
17-2 licenses. The board shall adopt rules relating to the operation
17-3 and requirements of the programs. Participation in the programs is
17-4 required to renew a master or journeyman license.
17-5 SECTION 14. DENIAL, SUSPENSION, AND REVOCATION OF LICENSE.
17-6 (a) A municipality may request suspension for just cause of the
17-7 license of an electrician working in its jurisdiction.
17-8 (b) The board shall adopt rules establishing the grounds for
17-9 the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, reprimands of a
17-10 license holder, or placement of a license holder on probation and
17-11 shall adopt rules establishing procedures for disciplinary actions.
17-12 (c) The board may deny, suspend, or revoke a license, place
17-13 on probation a license holder whose license has been suspended,
17-14 reprimand a license holder, or reinstate a license.
17-15 (d) If the board proposes to suspend or revoke a license,
17-16 the license holder is entitled to a hearing before the board.
17-17 Proceedings of the board relating to the suspension or revocation
17-18 of a license issued under this Act are governed by Chapter 2001,
17-19 Government Code.
17-20 (e) A license holder whose license has been revoked may
17-21 apply for a new license after the first anniversary of the date of
17-22 the revocation.
17-23 SECTION 15. MUNICIPAL REGULATION. (a) This Act does not
17-24 prohibit a municipality from enacting ordinances requiring
17-25 inspections, offering examinations, issuing municipal licenses, or
17-26 collecting permit fees for municipal licenses and examinations from
17-27 electricians for work in that municipality. However, a
18-1 municipality may not require a person to take a municipal
18-2 examination if that person holds the appropriate license issued
18-3 under this Act and is working under the scope of that license.
18-4 (b) Electrical work must be installed in accordance with all
18-5 applicable local ordinances or in accordance with standards at
18-6 least as stringent as those contained in an electrical code adopted
18-7 by the board.
18-8 SECTION 16. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
18-9 offense if the person violates the licensing requirements of this
18-10 Act.
18-11 (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
18-12 SECTION 17. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS. In making the initial
18-13 appointments to the board, the governor shall designate three
18-14 members for terms expiring in 1999, three members for terms
18-15 expiring in 2001, and three members for terms expiring in 2003.
18-16 SECTION 18. GRANDFATHER CLAUSE; RESTRICTED LICENSE. (a) A
18-17 municipality that has a municipal licensing procedure applicable to
18-18 a person required to be licensed under this Act that includes an
18-19 examination requirement may submit a copy of its examination to the
18-20 board for evaluation. If the board approves the examination, a
18-21 person who holds a municipal license on August 31, 1997, based on
18-22 that examination is entitled to a state license of the appropriate
18-23 type without further examination if otherwise qualified for the
18-24 state license. The board may approve an examination only if it is
18-25 substantially equivalent to the applicable examination prescribed
18-26 by the board.
18-27 (b) The board may issue a restricted-use license to an
19-1 individual who is not qualified for a license under Subsection (a)
19-2 of this section who presents evidence of practical experience
19-3 acceptable to the board. A restricted-use license is valid only in
19-4 the portions of this state that are not within a municipality. An
19-5 applicant for a restricted-use license must apply not later than
19-6 April 1, 1998. The board, by rule, shall prescribe the activities
19-7 that may be conducted by a holder of a restricted-use license.
19-8 SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) Except as provided by
19-9 Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1,
19-10 1997.
19-11 (b) Sections 7 and 16 of this Act take effect January 1,
19-12 1998.
19-13 SECTION 20. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation
19-14 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
19-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
19-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
19-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.