Amend CSHB 730 (Senate committee printing) as follows:                       
	(1)  In SECTION 1.01 of the bill, in added Subtitle C, Title 
16, Property Code, insert the following chapter (page 8, between 
lines 59 and 60):

CHAPTER 417.  CERTIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL

CONSTRUCTION ARBITRATORS
	Sec. 417.001.  CERTIFICATION.  (a)  The commission by rule 
shall establish eligibility requirements and procedures for a 
person to be certified by the commission as a residential 
construction arbitrator.
	(b)  The requirements established under this section must, 
at a minimum, require a certified arbitrator to:
		(1)  have at least five years' experience in conducting 
arbitrations between homeowners and builders involving 
construction defects;
		(2)  be familiar with the statutory warranties and 
building and performance standards established under Chapter 430 
and with the provisions of Chapter 27; and
		(3)  meet continuing education requirements 
established by the commission.
	(c)  Nothing in the chapter prohibits an arbitrator who does 
not hold a certificate under this chapter from conducting an 
arbitration involving a residential construction defect.
	Sec. 417.002.  APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION.  An applicant 
for certification under this chapter or for renewal of that 
certification must submit an application on a form prescribed by 
the commission and include the fee required by Section 417.003.
	Sec. 417.003.  FEES.  The commission shall charge and 
collect:        
		(1)  a filing fee for an application for certification 
under this chapter that does not exceed $100; and
		(2)  a fee for renewal of a certification under this 
chapter that does not exceed $50.
	Sec. 417.004.  PUBLICATION AND COMMENT PERIOD; 
CERTIFICATION.  (a)  The commission shall publish notice of each 
applicant's original application for certification under this 
chapter in the Texas Register and allow public comment on the 
application during the 21 days after the date the notice is 
published.  During that period, any person may contest the 
application in writing submitted to the commission.
	(b)  If the commission finds that certification of the 
applicant is in the public interest, the commission shall certify 
the applicant under this chapter.
	Sec. 417.005.  DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION.  The commission 
shall establish procedures under which a denial of a certification 
under this chapter may be contested by the applicant.
	Sec. 417.006.  EXPIRATION OF CERTIFICATION.  The commission 
may issue or renew a certification under this chapter for a period 
that does not exceed 24 months.
	Sec. 417.007.  LIST OF CERTIFIED ARBITRATORS.  The 
commission shall maintain an updated list of residential 
construction arbitrators certified under this chapter and make the 
list available to the public.
	(2)  In SECTION 1.01 of the bill, in added Section 
417.001(1), Property Code (page 8, lines 63 and 64), strike 
"certificate of registration" and substitute "registration or 
certification under this subtitle".
	(3)  In SECTION 1.01 of the bill, in added Section 417.002, 
Property Code, strike "certificate of registration" wherever it 
appears and substitute "registration or certification" (page 9, 
lines 21-23).
	(4)  In SECTION 1.01 of the bill, in added Section 417.002, 
Property Code, strike "certificate holder" and substitute 
"registered or certified person" (page 9, lines 24 and 25).
	(5)  In SECTION 1.01 of the bill, in added Chapter 418, 
Property Code, strike "certificate holder" wherever it appears and 
substitute "registered or certified person" (page 9, line 46, and 
page 10, lines 1 and 2).
	(6)  In ARTICLE 1 of the bill, insert the following 
appropriately numbered SECTION:

	SECTION ____.  On or before March 1, 2004, the Texas 
Residential Construction Commission shall begin certifying 
arbitrators under Chapter 417, Property Code, as added by this 
article.
	(7)  Renumber and reletter appropriately.