BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2254

By: Geren

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties have raised concern regarding countless Texas veterans receiving top-level training in the military but having a hard time getting occupational credit for their knowledge and skills when they return to civilian life. H.B. 2254 seeks to develop a model to require state agencies regulating occupational licenses which require an apprenticeship to credit veterans' relevant military experience towards the apprenticeship requirements. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to a state agency issuing an occupational license in SECTION 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2254 amends the Occupations Code to require a state agency, if an apprenticeship is required for an occupational license issued by the state agency, to credit verified military service, training, or education that is relevant to the occupation toward the apprenticeship requirements for the license. The bill requires the state agency to adopt rules necessary to implement the bill's provisions. The bill's provisions apply only to an application for an occupational license filed on or after May 1, 2014.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.