79R3729 MSE-D

By:  Truitt                                                       H.B. No. 577



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to use of the term "meteorologist"; creating an offense.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 12, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 1959 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 1959.  METEOROLOGISTS
	Sec. 1959.001.  USE OF TERM "METEOROLOGIST."  (a)  Except as 
provided by Subsection (b), a person may not represent to others 
that the person is a meteorologist or use the term "meteorologist" 
to describe the person on a television or radio broadcast in this 
state or in any other print or electronic media produced in this 
state unless that person has graduated from a course of study in an 
accredited degree program in meteorology, atmospheric science, or 
other natural science that includes:
		(1)  at least 24 semester hours of credit in 
meteorology or atmospheric science, including at least:
			(A)  six semester credit hours of course work in 
atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;
			(B)  six semester credit hours of course work in 
analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale); 
and
			(C)  three semester credit hours of course work in 
physical meteorology;
		(2)  six semester credit hours of course work in 
physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory 
sessions;
		(3)  three semester credit hours of course work in 
ordinary differential equations; and
		(4)  at least nine semester credit hours of course work 
appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of at 
least three of the following subjects:
			(A)  physical hydrology;                                              
			(B)  statistics;                                                      
			(C)  chemistry;                                                       
			(D)  physical oceanography;                                           
			(E)  physical climatology;                                            
			(F)  radiative transfer;                                              
			(G)  aeronomy;                                                        
			(H)  advanced thermodynamics;                                         
			(I)  advanced electricity and magnetism;                              
			(J)  light and optics; and                                            
			(K)  computer science.                                                
	(b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a representation by a 
person who has received training substantially equivalent to the 
course of study described by Subsection (a) while serving as a 
member of the United States armed forces.
	(c)  A person commits an offense if the person violates this 
section.  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.