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.