C.S.H.B. 9 78(1) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 9 By: Heflin Appropriations Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Chapter 1305 of the Occupations Code [the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act] was enacted by the 78th Legislature in Regular Session to establish the Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board, provide minimum state standards for electricians and electrical contractors, and allow the Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt fees to cover the cost of administering the Act. The purpose of Committee Substitute House Bill 9 is for the appropriation of the fees collected by the Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 1305 of the Occupations Code to the department for administering that chapter. There was no specific appropriation authority given to the department by the 78th Legislature to administer Chapter 1305 of the Occupations Code with fees collected under that chapter. 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. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 9 appropriates fees collected beginning September 1, 2003 under Chapter 1305, Occupations Code, to the Department of Licensing and Regulation for the purpose of administering that chapter. C.S.H.B. 9 requires any increase in state employee benefit costs incurred under Chapter 1305, Occupations Code, to be covered by the appropriation made in this substitute. EFFECTIVE DATE Effective date of September 1, 2003 upon receiving two-thirds vote of the membership of each house. If not, the Act takes effect on November 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B 9 adds additional language that requires any increase in state employee benefit costs incurred under Chapter 1305, Occupations Code, to be covered by the appropriation made in this substitute.