BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1055

By: Parker

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, an architect in Texas has five days from the time architectural plans are finalized to submit the plans to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for registration.  This close deadline is burdensome on industry and has resulted in architects being overly punished for not submitting their plans in a timely fashion.

H.B. 1055 extends from 5 to 20 days the amount of time a person has to submit plans and specifications to the department.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1055 amends Government Code provisions relating to the removal of architectural barriers encountered by persons with disabilities to extend the deadline for submitting plans and specifications for the construction of or substantial renovation of buildings or facilities to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill makes the deadline not later than the 20th day, rather than not later than the fifth day, after the date the person issues the plans and specifications and applies the deadline to each issuance for plans and specifications issued on more than one date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.