AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the State Fire Marshal's Office is responsible for issuing licenses to individuals who install/inspect/service/repair fire alarm systems, extinguishers, halon, FM200, Carbon Dioxide, hood systems, and those qualified contractors who engage in the practice of engineering and design. These licenses cover almost every area of fire-related safety. However, no license is required for persons who install fire sprinkler systems. A primary reason for the lack of licensing was the inability of the two primary groups affected, the Texas Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association and the Southwest Pipe Trades Association to agree on terms.
S.B. 1748 would create a licensing process for those who install/inspect/service/repair fire sprinklers and require at least one individual on each job to be licensed. In addition to establishing these standards, S.B. 1748 creates terms of continuing education and establishes the costs of licensing. By adding an additional licensed supervisor to each location, both businesses owners and consumers can be assured additional protection against impaired or deficiently installed sprinkler systems.
As proposed, S.B. 1748 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of fire protection sprinkler technicians and provides a penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of insurance in SECTION 3 (Section 6003.052, Insurance Code) of this bill.
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of insurance and the state fire marshal in SECTION 11 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 6003.001, Insurance Code, by amending Subdivisions (1) and (6) and adding Subdivisions (1-a), (2-a), (2-b), and (12), as follows:
(1) Defines "dwelling technician license."
(1-a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes.
(2-a) Defines "fire protection sprinkler technician."
(2-b) Defines "general technician license."
(6) Redefines "license."
(12) Defines "underground fire main technician license."
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 6003, Insurance Code, by adding Section 6003.004, as follows:
Sec. 6003.004. PERSONAL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL. Provides that the home address, home telephone number, driver's license number, and social security number of a license holder or an applicant for a license under this chapter are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 6003.052(b), Insurance Code, to authorize the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), under rules adopted under Section 6003.051(b) (relating to authorizing the commissioner of insurance to issue rules necessary to administer this chapter through the state fire marshal) to create a specialized licensing or registration program for fire protection sprinkler system contractors, and requires to create a specialized licensing program for fire protection sprinkler technicians.
SECTION 4. Amends Sections 6003.055(a) and (b), Insurance Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) to set the fee for:
(1) a registration certificate application in an amount not to exceed $100;
(2) an initial or renewal registration certificate in an amount not to exceed $1,200 annually; and
(3) an initial or renewal license fee, rather than an initial or renewal responsible managing employee license fee, in an amount not to exceed $200 annually.
(b) Requires the commissioner, unless the examination for a license, rather than for a responsible managing employee license, to set a nonrefundable fee for each examination in an amount not to exceed $100.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 6003.156(a), Insurance Code, to require the state fire marshal to develop the examinations required under Section 6003.162 based on the most recent applicable guidelines published by the National Fire Protection Association.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 6003.158(a), Insurance Code, by amending Subsection (b), and adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(b) Provides that except as provided by Subsection (c), participation in the continuing education programs is voluntary. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
(c) Requires a fire protection sprinkler technician to annually complete at least eight hours of continuing education in accordance with commissioner rules.
SECTION 7. Amends Section 6003.159, Insurance Code, as follows:
Sec. 6003.159. RECIPROCAL LICENSE. Requires, rather than authorizes, TDI to waive any license requirement for an applicant who holds a license issued by another state, if the other state has a license requirements substantially equivalent to the license requirements of this state, and has a reciprocal license statute that is substantially equivalent to this section for individuals licensed in this state. Makes a nonsubstantive change
SECTION 8. Amends Section 6003.160, Insurance Code, as follows:
Sec. 6003.160. New heading: LICENSE NOT TRANSFERABLE; SINGLE EMPLOYER REQUIRED. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Makes no further changes.
(b) Prohibits an individual who holds a license issued to be a fire protection sprinkler technician under this chapter:
(1) from installing, servicing, or maintaining a fire protection sprinkler system unless the technician is employed by a fire protection sprinkler system contractor; and
(2) from being employed by more than one fire protection sprinkler system contractor at the same time.
SECTION 9. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 6003, Insurance Code, by adding Sections 6003.161 and 6003.162, as follows:
Sec. 6003.161. FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER TECHNICIAN: LICENSE OR SUPERVISION REQUIRED. (a) Prohibits an individual from acting as a fire protection sprinkler technician unless the individual holds a license issued by TDI under Section 6003.162 or is directly supervised by an individual who holds a license issued by TDI under Section 6003.162. Authorizes an individual to install service, or maintain only the type of fire protection sprinkler systems for which the individual's license or the individual's direct supervisor's license has been issued under Section 6003.162.
(b) Prohibits an individual from using the term "licensed fire protection sprinkler technician" in the person's contracts or advertising materials unless the individual holds a license issued under Section 6003.162.
Sec. 6003.162. FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER TECHNICIAN LICENSES. (a) Requires TDI to issue general technician license to an applicant:
(1) who has completed 8,000 hours of an apprenticeship program certified by the United States Department of Labor for the inspection, service, and maintenance of fire protection sprinkler systems;
(2) who has 8,000 hours of experience installing, servicing, or maintaining fire protection sprinkler systems; and passes TDI's general technician license examination; or
(3) who has 6,000 hours of experience installing, servicing, or maintaining fire protection sprinkler systems; and passes the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, Level II or III test for inspection and testing of water-based systems.
(b) Requires TDI to issue a dwelling technician license to an applicant who:
(1) has 4,000 hours of experience installing, servicing, or maintaining fire protection sprinkler systems within the scope of a dwelling technician license; and
(2) passes TDI's dwelling technician license examination.
(c) Requires TDI to issue an underground fire main technician license to an applicant who:
(1) has 4,000 hours of experience installing, servicing, or maintain fire protection sprinkler systems within the scope of an underground fire main technician license; and
(2) passes TDI's underground fire main technician license examination.
(d) Requires that a license issued under this section be conditioned on the successful completion of the applicable license examination and compliance with the requirements of any applicable rules adopted under this chapter.
SECTION 10. Amends Section 6003.301(a), Insurance Code, to provide that a person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates certain sections, including Section 6003.161.
SECTION 11. (a) Requires the commissioner and the state fire marshal, as soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, and not later than January 1, 2012, to adopt rules and establish the procedures and examination requirements necessary to implement the licensing of fire protection sprinkler technicians under Chapter 6003, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Provides that a fire protection sprinkler technician is not required to hold a license under Chapter 6003, Insurance Code as amended by this Act, before July 1, 2012.
SECTION 12. Requires TDI, notwithstanding Section 6003.161, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, to issue a license to a qualified applicant under this section who:
(1) applies for a license under this section not later than September 1, 2012;
(2) submits to TDI the information required by TDI rule;
(3) submits to TDI the job description of the position the applicant most recently performed and a sworn statement by the applicant's employer attesting to the applicant's job description;
(4) has at least the number of hours of experience required by Section 6003.162, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, for the applicable license for which the applicant is applying; and
(5) pays the application and licensing fee.
SECTION 13. Effective date: September 1, 2011.