79R12492 YDB-F


By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 707

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 707:                                    

By:  Quintanilla                                              C.S.S.B. No. 707



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of an electrician license without 
examination to certain applicants.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1305, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 1305.1615 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1305.1615.  CERTAIN APPLICANTS WHO ARE VETERANS.  The 
department shall issue a license without examination to an 
individual who:
		(1)  was on active duty in the United States armed 
forces during the period of March 1, 2004, to June 1, 2004;
		(2)  submits an application and any other information 
required by department rule to the department not later than the 
90th day after the date the individual is released or discharged 
from active duty in the armed forces;
		(3)  has the experience required for the license under 
this chapter; and
		(4)  pays the application fee.                                         
	SECTION 2.  Section 1305.202, Occupations Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 1305.202.  [SCOPE OF] MUNICIPAL OR REGIONAL LICENSE.  
(a)  A license to perform electrical work issued by a municipality 
or region is valid only in the municipality or region or in another 
municipality or region under a reciprocal agreement.
	(b)  The department shall issue an equivalent license 
without examination to an individual who holds a license to perform 
electrical work or electrical sign work issued by a municipality or 
region that elects to discontinue the municipality's or region's 
licensing program if the individual:
		(1)  held the municipal or regional license for the 
preceding year;  
		(2)  has the experience required for the license under 
this chapter; and
		(3)  submits an application for a license under this 
chapter not later than the 90th day after the date the municipal or 
regional program is discontinued.
	SECTION 3.  Sections 3(a) and (k), Chapter 1062, Acts of the 
78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, are amended to read as 
follows:
	(a)  The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall 
issue a license to a qualified applicant under this section who:
		(1)  applies for a license under this section not later 
than December 31, 2005 [June 1, 2004];
		(2)  submits to the department the information required 
by rule;            
		(3)  has the experience required by this section; and                         
		(4)  pays the application fee.                                                
	(k)  This section expires September 1, 2007 [2005].    
	SECTION 4.  (a)  For purposes of the issuance of a license 
under Section 3, Chapter 1062, Acts of the 78th Legislature, 
Regular Session, 2003:
		(1)  the executive director of the Texas Department of 
Licensing and Regulation shall accept alternative documentation of 
on-the-job experience approved by the department if the license 
applicant is applying for a license in an area in which a municipal 
or regional licensing program does not exist and is unable to 
provide proof of on-the-job training certified by a master 
electrician or master sign electrician, as appropriate; and
		(2)  an individual applying for a license in an area in 
which a municipal or regional licensing program exists is eligible 
only for an equivalent license issued by the department.
	(b)  The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall 
provide notice of the period extended as provided by this section in 
which an applicant may apply for a license under Section 3, Chapter 
1062, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, to:
		(1)  all municipal and regional licensing programs in 
this state;           
		(2)  all counties in this state; and                                          
		(3)  all businesses in this state that sell electrical 
supplies and equipment.
	(c)  In the notice required under Subsection (b)(1) of this 
section, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall 
request that the municipal or regional licensing program provide 
notice of the extended application period to all individuals 
holding electrical licenses issued by that program.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.