AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S
STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B.
1973 and S.B. 1982 were enacted by the 81st Legislature in order to clarify
existing law and allow pool maintenance professionals to perform limited
electrical functions under a limited license. The license was placed under the
Residential Appliance Installers Act. During the interim the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation has interpreted the law to limit the maintenance to
only residential or multi-family settings of four stories or less and exclude
commercial properties. This bill amends Section 1305.002 (Definitions),
Occupations Code, to add the word commercial to the definition of
"pool" to address work performed by pool technicians. Until last
year, they have always performed maintenance on residential and commercial
pools. Pool technicians are often the ones trained in the maintenance and repair
of sophisticated pool equipment and devices such as SVRS systems
(anti-drowning), heating units, remote terminals, and cleaning systems. As it
stands today, a technician can change a light on one side of the street
(apartment) and the law would not allow them to change it on the other side of
the street (small hotel).
As proposed, S.B.
1630 amends current law relating to the regulation
of residential appliance installation under the Texas Electrical Safety and
Licensing Act.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 1305.002(14),
Occupations Code, to redefine "pool" to include both commercial and
residential structures.
SECTION 2. Effective date:
September 1, 2011.