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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of multipurpose residential fire |
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protection sprinkler specialists by the Texas State Board of |
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Plumbing Examiners. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1301.002, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subdivision (5-a) to read as follows: |
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(5-a) "Multipurpose residential fire protection |
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sprinkler specialist" means a person who holds an endorsement |
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issued under Section 1301.3565. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1301.352, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1301.352. EXAMINATION REQUIRED. The board shall issue |
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a license or endorsement as a master plumber, journeyman plumber, |
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plumbing inspector, tradesman plumber-limited license holder, |
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medical gas piping installation endorsement holder, [or] water |
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supply protection specialist, or multipurpose residential fire |
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protection sprinkler specialist to a person who demonstrates the |
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fitness, competence, and qualifications to receive the license or |
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endorsement by passing a uniform, reasonable examination. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter G, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1301.3565 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1301.3565. ENDORSEMENT: MULTIPURPOSE RESIDENTIAL |
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FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER SPECIALIST. (a) A person may not engage |
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in the installation of a multipurpose residential fire protection |
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sprinkler system that uses potable cold water to provide water for |
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domestic plumbing fixtures and for fire protection sprinklers |
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unless the person: |
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(1) is licensed under this chapter as a master plumber |
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or journeyman plumber; and |
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(2) holds an endorsement issued under this section. |
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(b) The board shall issue an endorsement as a multipurpose |
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residential fire protection sprinkler specialist to a person who: |
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(1) holds the license described by Subsection (a); |
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(2) applies to the board on a form prescribed by the |
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board; |
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(3) pays a fee set by the board; |
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(4) presents evidence satisfactory to the board of |
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successful completion of a certification program approved by the |
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board for multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler |
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specialists; and |
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(5) passes an examination required by the board. |
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(c) An endorsement issued under this section is valid until |
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the third anniversary of the date of issuance and may be renewed on |
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compliance with any requirements prescribed by board rule. |
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(d) A person who holds an endorsement under this section may |
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represent to the public that the person is a multipurpose |
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residential fire protection sprinkler specialist. |
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(e) A plumbing inspector who meets the requirements of the |
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board may inspect a multipurpose residential fire protection |
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sprinkler installation. |
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SECTION 4. (a) Not later than November 1, 2009, the Texas |
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State Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to |
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implement Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas State Board |
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of Plumbing Examiners shall begin administering examinations and |
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issuing multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler |
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specialist endorsements under Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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(b) Section 1301.3565(a), Occupations Code, as added by |
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this Act, takes effect March 1, 2010. |