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.