BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 807

By: Campbell

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that certain military service, training, or education may be used toward requirements for occupational licensing, but that military experience substantially similar to the occupation does not satisfy examination requirements for these licenses. Additionally, these service members and veterans are not exempted from license and examination fees. The parties assert that in the case of service members or veterans who have a substantially equivalent certification from the military, the examination process is redundant, unduly burdensome, and often hinders reentry into the workforce for a military service member or veteran. S.B. 807 seeks to provide military service members and veterans a smoother reentrance into the workforce.

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

S.B. 807 amends the Occupations Code to require a state agency that issues an occupational license to waive the license application and examination fees paid to the state for an applicant who is a military service member or military veteran whose military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the requirements for the license or who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in Texas.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.