By: Van de Putte, Shapleigh S.B. No. 1240

(In the Senate - Filed March 2, 2009; March 17, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations; April 17, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; April 17, 2009, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the temporary occupational licensing of members of the military and their spouses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 55. LICENSING OF [RENEWAL OF LICENSE WHILE ON] MILITARY

MEMBER OR MILITARY SPOUSE [DUTY]

SECTION 2. Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 55.004 to read as follows:

Sec. 55.004. TEMPORARY LICENSE. (a) In this section, "military" means the armed forces of the United States.

(b) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules for the expedited issuance of a temporary license to an applicant who:

(1) is serving on active duty as a member of the military;

(2) was honorably discharged from active duty as a member of the military not more than one year before the date of the application; or

(3) is the spouse of a person who is serving on active duty as a member of the military.

(c) The state agency shall issue the temporary license under this section to a qualified applicant who:

(1) submits an application on a form prescribed by the agency; and

(2) pays the required fees.

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.

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