BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2494

By: Ashby

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that recent legislation had the effect of eliminating the associate auctioneer license, which in turn eliminated numerous jobs across Texas. H.B. 2494 seeks to recreate the associate auctioneer license.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 2494 amends the Occupations Code to prohibit a person from acting as an associate auctioneer of real or personal property in Texas unless the person holds a license issued by the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The bill makes an individual eligible for an associate auctioneer license if the individual is a U.S. citizen or a legal alien and is a paid employee working under the direct supervision of a licensed auctioneer. The bill requires TDLR, not later than March 1, 2016, to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions and specifies that a person is not required to hold a license to act as an associate auctioneer until March 1, 2016. The bill authorizes an individual who was licensed by TDLR as an associate auctioneer on or before June 14, 2013, to apply the individual's work experience participating in auctions as an associate auctioneer on or before June 14, 2013, toward the individual's eligibility for an auctioneer's license.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.