81R22935 BEF-F
 
  By: Smith of Harris H.B. No. 2649
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2649:
 
  By:  Thompson C.S.H.B. No. 2649
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation and practice of engineering.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1001.056, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: 
         (c)  The exemption provided by this section does not apply to
  a person or entity that is:
               (1)  providing services necessary to comply with
  windstorm certification standards for a residential dwelling; or
               (2)  constructing, enlarging, altering, or repairing,
  or drawing plans or specifications for, a residential dwelling slab
  located on soil with a plasticity index of greater than 30,
  determined in accordance with ASTM International standard D4318-05
  (Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
  Plasticity Index of Soils) as that standard was in effect on January
  1, 2009.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1001.067 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1001.067.  CERTAIN FIRE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES. This
  chapter does not prohibit the professional use of the term "fire
  engineer" by a member of a fire department in a municipality with a
  population of one million or more that has adopted Chapter 143,
  Local Government Code, and to which Subchapter G of that chapter
  does not generally apply, who:
               (1)  holds the position of fire apparatus operator; and
               (2)  is not otherwise engaged in the practice of
  engineering.
         SECTION 3.  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, 2009.