SRC-LBB H.B. 1526 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1526
78R11197 MXM-FBy: Geren (Harris)
Business & Commerce
5/11/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, an architect is required to pay a fee of $305 to renew the
architect's certificate of registration.  A non-resident architect is
charged $395 for the registration renewal, while an inactive resident pays
$55 and an inactive non-resident pays $193.  H.B. 1526 creates a new
classification for retired architects, entitled  "emeritus status," and
provides for assessment of a renewal fee only in the amount reasonable and
necessary to cover the costs of administering the relevant statute. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Board of
Architectural Examiners in SECTION 1 ( Section 1051.357, Occupations Code)
of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 1051, Occupations Code, by adding
Section 1051.357, as follows: 

Sec. 1051.357.  EMERITUS STATUS.  (a)  Authorizes the Texas Board of
Architectural Examiners (TBAE) by rule to establish a procedure by which
an architect may place the person's certificate of registration on
emeritus status.  Requires the person to apply for emeritus status, on a
form prescribed by TBAE, before the person's certificate of registration
expires. 

  (b)  Provides that an architect is eligible for emeritus status if the
architect: 

   (1)  has been an architect for 20 years or more; and
   (2)  is 65 years of age or older.

(c)  Requires that a person whose certificate of registration is on
emeritus status follow certain guidelines. 
  
(d)  Requires TBAE to remove a person's certificate of registration from
emeritus status if the person: 

(1)  requests in writing that TBAE remove the person's certificate of
registration from emeritus status; 
  (2)  pays an administrative fee; and
(3)  complies with education or other requirements established by TBAE
rule. 

(e)  Prohibits the renewal fee charged under Subsection (c) from exceeding
an amount reasonable and necessary to recover the costs to administer this
section. 

SECTION 2.  Requires TBAE, not later than January 1, 2004, to adopt the
rules and set the fees required by Section 1051.357, Occupations Code, as
added by this Act. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.