S.B. No. 1410
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the licensing and regulation of plumbers and
  multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler specialists;
  prohibiting municipal regulations requiring the installation of
  fire protection sprinkler systems in certain residences.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1301.002, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subdivisions (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (8), (9), and (10)
  and adding Subdivisions (5-a) and (9-a) to read as follows:
               (2)  "Drain cleaner" means a person who:
                     (A)  has completed at least 4,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a master plumber as a drain
  cleaner-restricted registrant;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  installs cleanouts and removes and resets
  p-traps to eliminate obstructions in building drains and sewers
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber.
               (3)  "Drain cleaner-restricted registrant" means a
  person who:
                     (A)  has worked as a plumber's apprentice under
  the supervision of a master plumber;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  clears obstructions in sewer and drain lines
  through any code-approved existing opening under the supervision of
  a responsible master plumber.
               (4)  "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under
  this chapter who:
                     (A)  has met the qualifications for registration
  as a plumber's apprentice or for licensing as a tradesman
  plumber-limited license holder;
                     (B)  has completed at least 8,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a master plumber;
                     (C)  installs, changes, repairs, services, or
  renovates plumbing or supervises any of those activities under the
  supervision of a responsible master plumber; and
                     (D)  has passed the required examination and
  fulfilled the other requirements of the board.
               (5)  "Master plumber" means a person licensed under
  this chapter who:
                     (A)  is skilled in the planning and superintending
  of plumbing and in the practical installation, repair, and
  servicing of plumbing;
                     (B)  [secures permits for plumbing work;
                     [(C)]  is knowledgeable about the codes,
  ordinances, or rules governing the activities described by
  Paragraph [Paragraphs] (A) [and (B)];
                     (C) [(D)]  performs or supervises plumbing work;
  and
                     (D) [(E)]  has passed the required examination
  and fulfilled the other requirements of the board.
               (5-a)  "Multipurpose residential fire protection
  sprinkler specialist" means a person who holds an endorsement
  issued under Section 1301.3565.
               (6)  "Plumber's apprentice" means a person other than a
  master plumber, journeyman plumber, or tradesman plumber-limited
  license holder who, as the person's principal occupation, learns
  about and assists in the installation of plumbing, has fulfilled
  the requirements of and is registered by the board, and works under
  the supervision of a responsible master plumber and the direct
  supervision of a licensed plumber.
               (8)  "Plumbing inspector" means a person who:
                     (A)  is employed by a state agency or political
  subdivision, or contracts as an independent contractor with a state
  agency or political subdivision, to inspect plumbing in connection
  with health and safety laws, including ordinances, and plumbing and
  gas codes; and
                     (B)  has passed the required examination and
  fulfilled the other requirements of the board.
               (9)  "Residential utilities installer" means a person
  who:
                     (A)  has completed at least 2,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a master plumber as a plumber's
  apprentice;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  constructs and installs yard water service
  piping for one-family or two-family dwellings and building sewers
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber.
               (9-a) "Responsible master plumber" means a person
  licensed as a master plumber under this chapter who:
                     (A)  allows the person's master plumber license to
  be used by one plumbing company for the purpose of offering and
  performing plumbing work under the person's master plumber license;
                     (B)  is authorized to obtain permits for plumbing
  work;
                     (C)  assumes responsibility for plumbing work
  performed under the person's license; and
                     (D)  has submitted a certificate of insurance as
  required by Section 1301.3576.
               (10)  "Tradesman plumber-limited license holder" means
  a person who:
                     (A)  has completed at least 4,000 hours working
  under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master plumber as a
  plumber's apprentice;
                     (B)  has passed the required examination and
  fulfilled the other requirements of the board; and
                     (C)  constructs and installs plumbing for
  one-family or two-family dwellings under the supervision of a
  responsible master plumber[; and
                     [(D)     has not met or attempted to meet the
  qualifications for a journeyman plumber license].
         SECTION 2.  Section 1301.302, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.302.  CONTRACT INFORMATION. A written proposal,
  invoice, or contract relating to [for] plumbing services [to be]
  performed by or under the direction of a plumber licensed under this
  chapter must contain the name and license number of the responsible
  master plumber and the name, mailing address, and telephone number
  of the board.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1301.351, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2)
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A person, other than a responsible master plumber, may
  not engage in [the business of] plumbing unless:
               (1)  the person holds the proper [a] license,
  registration, or endorsement required by [or is registered under]
  this chapter; and [or]
               (2)  the person's work is supervised and controlled by a
  person licensed under this chapter.
         (a-1)  A person may not act as a responsible master plumber
  unless the person holds the appropriate license and meets the
  requirements for a responsible master plumber under this chapter.
         (a-2)  A person that advertises or otherwise offers to
  perform or provide plumbing must secure the services of a
  responsible master plumber.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1301.352, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.352.  EXAMINATION REQUIRED. The board shall issue
  a license or endorsement as a master plumber, journeyman plumber,
  plumbing inspector, tradesman plumber-limited license holder,
  medical gas piping installation endorsement holder, [or] water
  supply protection specialist, or multipurpose residential fire
  protection sprinkler specialist to a person who demonstrates the
  fitness, competence, and qualifications to receive the license or
  endorsement by passing a uniform, reasonable examination.
         SECTION 5.  Subsection (e), Section 1301.356, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A plumbing inspector who meets the requirements of the
  board may hold a medical gas endorsement and inspect medical gas
  piping installations.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter G, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1301.3565 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.3565.  ENDORSEMENT:  MULTIPURPOSE RESIDENTIAL
  FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER SPECIALIST. (a)  A person may not engage
  in the installation of a multipurpose residential fire protection
  sprinkler system that uses a single piping system to provide
  potable water for fire protection sprinklers and for domestic
  plumbing fixtures and appliances unless the person:
               (1)  is licensed under this chapter as a master plumber
  or journeyman plumber; and
               (2)  holds an endorsement issued under this section.
         (b)  The board shall issue an endorsement as a multipurpose
  residential fire protection sprinkler specialist to a person who:
               (1)  holds the license described by Subsection (a);
               (2)  applies to the board on a form prescribed by the
  board;
               (3)  pays a fee set by the board;
               (4)  presents evidence satisfactory to the board of
  successful completion of a training program approved by the board
  that provides the training necessary for the proper installation of
  a multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler system as
  required by the applicable codes and standards recognized by the
  state; and
               (5)  passes an examination required by the board.
         (c)  An endorsement issued under this section is valid until
  the third anniversary of the date of issuance and may be renewed on
  compliance with any requirements prescribed by board rule.
         (d)  A person who holds an endorsement under this section may
  represent to the public that the person is a multipurpose
  residential fire protection sprinkler specialist.
         (e)  Notwithstanding any other law, a person who holds an
  endorsement under this section is not required to hold a license or
  registration issued by another state agency in order to install a
  multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler system.
         (f)  A plumbing inspector who meets the requirements of the
  board may inspect a multipurpose residential fire protection
  sprinkler installation.
         SECTION 7.  Section 1301.3576, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.3576.  CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FOR RESPONSIBLE
  MASTER PLUMBER. When a person is issued a master plumber's license,
  the person must provide the board with a certificate of insurance
  that meets the requirements of Section 1301.552 before the person
  works as a responsible master plumber.
         SECTION 8.  Subsection (a), Section 1301.451, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board shall revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to
  renew a license, endorsement, or registration or shall reprimand a
  holder of a license, endorsement, or registration for a violation
  of this chapter, an order issued by the board, or a rule of the
  board.
         SECTION 9.  Subsection (a), Section 1301.452, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person is subject to disciplinary action under Section
  1301.451 if the person violates this chapter, an order issued by the
  board, or a board rule. A violation of this chapter includes:
               (1)  obtaining a license, endorsement, or registration
  through error or fraud;
               (2)  wilfully, negligently, or arbitrarily violating a
  municipal rule or ordinance that regulates sanitation, drainage, or
  plumbing;
               (3)  making a misrepresentation of services provided or
  to be provided; [or]
               (4)  making a false promise with the intent to induce a
  person to contract for a service; or
               (5)  employing a person who does not hold a license or
  endorsement or who is not registered to engage in an activity for
  which a license, endorsement, or registration is required under
  this chapter.
         SECTION 10.  Section 1301.504, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  Venue for an action brought under this section is in a
  district court in Travis County.
         SECTION 11.  Subsection (a), Section 1301.5045, Occupations
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The executive director [If it appears to the board that
  a person is violating this chapter or a rule adopted under this
  chapter, the board, after notice and opportunity for a hearing,]
  may issue a cease and desist order as necessary to enforce this
  chapter if the executive director determines that the action is
  necessary to prevent a violation of this chapter and to protect
  public health and safety [prohibiting the person from engaging in
  the activity].
         SECTION 12.  Section 1301.551, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
         (e)  Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, after
  January 1, 2009, a municipality may not enact an ordinance, bylaw,
  order, building code, or rule requiring the installation of a
  multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler system or any
  other fire sprinkler protection system in a new or existing one- or
  two-family dwelling. A municipality may adopt an ordinance, bylaw,
  order, or rule allowing a multipurpose residential fire protection
  sprinkler specialist or other contractor to offer, for a fee, the
  installation of a fire sprinkler protection system in a new one- or
  two-family dwelling.
         (f)  A multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler
  specialist may install a multipurpose residential fire protection
  sprinkler system in a new or existing one- or two-family dwelling in
  a municipality described by Subsection (a) or (b).
         SECTION 13.  Section 1301.707, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.707.  OPTIONS FOLLOWING DECISION: PAY OR APPEAL.
  (a)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the board's order
  becomes final, the person shall:
               (1)  pay the penalty; or
               (2)  file a petition for judicial review contesting the
  occurrence of the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both.
         (b)  Failure by the person to pay the penalty is grounds for
  the board to refuse to renew the person's license or registration
  and to refuse to issue a new license or registration to the person.
         SECTION 14.  The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
  shall collaborate with the state fire marshal in adopting rules
  necessary to implement Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 15.  (a)  Not later than February 1, 2010, the Texas
  State Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to
  implement Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, as added by this
  Act.
         (b)  Not later than March 1, 2010, the Texas State Board of
  Plumbing Examiners shall begin administering examinations and
  issuing multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler
  specialist endorsements under Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 16.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act to
  Sections 1301.451 and 1301.452, Occupations Code, apply to a
  violation that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. A
  violation that occurs before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date of the violation, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (b)  The change in law made by this Act to Section 1301.504,
  Occupations Code, applies to an action commenced on or after the
  effective date of this Act. An action commenced before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the action was commenced, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 17.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
         (b)  Subsection (a), Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, as
  added by this Act, takes effect June 1, 2010.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1410 passed the Senate on
  April 7, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 29, 2009, by the
  following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1410 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 20, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 136,
  Nays 8, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor