79R7688 RMB-D

By:  Zedler                                                       H.B. No. 1717



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the requirements for a court interpreter license.                 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 57, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 57.0465 to read as follows:
	Sec. 57.0465.  EXAMINATION WAIVER.  (a)  The executive 
director may waive the requirement that an applicant pass an 
examination under Section 57.043 if the applicant:
		(1)  presents a written reference from an officer of a 
court or an administrative hearing officer stating that the 
applicant has acted as a court interpreter in the court or in an 
administrative proceeding, as applicable, and that the applicant 
has demonstrated proficiency in interpreting in a specific 
language;
		(2)  passed the examination within the two-year period 
preceding the date the application for the license is filed; or
		(3)  presents any other proof the executive director 
finds appropriate.
	(b)  An applicant for whom the examination requirement is 
waived by the executive director must pay the license fee provided 
under Section 57.045.
	SECTION 2.  Section 57.0465, Government Code, as added by 
this Act, applies only to an application for a court interpreter 
license filed on or after the effective date of this Act.  An 
application for a court interpreter license filed before the 
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the 
date the application was filed, and the former law is continued in 
effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.