BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2220

By: Wu

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Expressing concern about the sharp increase in the number of precious metal thefts and related burglaries across the state, interested parties have observed a need for local regulation of crafted precious metal dealers and penalties for noncompliance that are substantial enough to serve as a deterrent to noncompliant dealers who otherwise would disregard a mild fine as a cost of doing business. C.S.H.B. 2220 seeks to authorize a county or municipality to regulate crafted precious metal dealers and to make noncompliance with such local regulation a criminal offense.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2220 amends the Occupations Code to authorize a county or municipality to require a person to obtain a license or permit from the county or municipality before the person engages in the business of purchasing and selling crafted precious metal in that county or municipality and to impose a fee for the issuance or renewal of the license or permit.  The bill makes it a Class B misdemeanor offense for a person engaging in the business of purchasing and selling crafted precious metal to fail to obtain such a required license or permit.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2220 differs from the original only by amending the caption.