84R24479 TSR-D
 
  By: Smith H.B. No. 2465
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2465:
 
  By:  Smith C.S.H.B. No. 2465
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the licensing and regulation of plumbers; amending
  provisions subject to a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1301.002, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subdivisions (1-a), (2), (3), (4), (6), (9), and (12)
  and adding Subdivisions (1-b) and (7-a) to read as follows:
               (1-a)  "Control valve" means a valve that operates each
  time water is supplied to, or shut off from, a receptacle or
  plumbing fixture. The term does not include a stop valve that may be
  installed in the water supply branch to the control valve.
               (1-b)  "Executive director" means the executive
  director of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
               (2)  "Drain cleaner" means a person who:
                     (A)  has completed at least 4,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber as a drain
  cleaner-restricted registrant or a tradesman plumber-limited
  license holder;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  installs cleanouts and removes and resets
  p-traps to eliminate obstructions in building drains and sewers
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber.
               (3)  "Drain cleaner-restricted registrant" means a
  person who:
                     (A)  has worked as a plumber's apprentice under
  the supervision of a responsible master plumber;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  clears obstructions in sewer and drain lines
  through any code-approved existing opening under the supervision of
  a responsible master plumber.
               (4)  "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under
  this chapter who:
                     (A)  has met the qualifications for registration
  as a plumber's apprentice or for licensing as a tradesman
  plumber-limited license holder;
                     (B)  has completed at least 8,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber;
                     (C)  installs, changes, repairs, services, or
  renovates plumbing or supervises any of those activities under the
  supervision of a responsible master plumber;
                     (D)  has passed the required examination; and
                     (E)  has fulfilled the other requirements of the
  board.
               (6)  "Plumber's apprentice" means a person other than a
  master plumber, journeyman plumber, or tradesman plumber-limited
  license holder who, as the person's principal occupation, learns
  about and assists in the installation, repair, and replacement of
  plumbing, has fulfilled the requirements of and is registered by
  the board, and works under the supervision of a responsible master
  plumber and the direct supervision of a licensed plumber.
               (7-a)  "Plumbing company" means a business that:
                     (A)  is registered with the board;
                     (B)  employs a responsible master plumber; or
                     (C)  is owned by a responsible master plumber.
               (9)  "Residential utilities installer" means a person
  who:
                     (A)  has completed at least 2,000 hours working
  under the supervision of a responsible master plumber as a
  plumber's apprentice;
                     (B)  has fulfilled the requirements of and is
  registered with the board; and
                     (C)  [constructs and] installs, repairs, or
  replaces yard water service piping or building sewers for
  one-family or two-family dwellings [and building sewers] under the
  supervision of a responsible master plumber.
               (12)  "Water treatment" means a business conducted
  under contract that requires ability, experience, and skill in
  analyzing water to determine how to treat influent and effluent
  water to change or purify the water or to add or remove minerals,
  chemicals, or bacteria. The term does not include treatment of
  rainwater or the repair of systems for rainwater harvesting. The
  term includes:
                     (A)  installing and servicing fixed or portable
  water treatment equipment in a public or private water treatment
  system; or
                     (B)  making connections necessary to install a
  water treatment system to the potable water system or indirectly to
  the sanitary drainage system.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1301.053(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person is not required to be licensed under this
  chapter to perform:
               (1)  plumbing incidental to and in connection with the
  business in which the person is employed or engaged if the person:
                     (A)  is regularly employed as or acting as a
  maintenance person or maintenance engineer; and
                     (B)  does not engage in plumbing for the public;
               (2)  construction, installation, or maintenance on the
  premises or equipment of a railroad if the person is an employee of
  the railroad who does not engage in plumbing for the public;
               (3)  plumbing if the person is:
                     (A)  employed by a political subdivision to engage
  in plumbing only within the geographic boundaries of the political
  subdivision; or
                     (B)  engaged by a public service company to:
                           (i) [(A)]  lay, maintain, or operate its
  service mains or lines to the point of measurement; and
                           (ii) [(B)]  install, change, adjust,
  repair, remove, or renovate appurtenances, equipment, or
  appliances;
               (4)  appliance installation and service work, other
  than installation and service work on water heaters, that involves
  connecting appliances to existing openings with a code-approved
  appliance connector if the person performs the work as an appliance
  dealer or an employee of an appliance dealer; or
               (5)  water treatment installations, exchanges,
  services, or repairs, other than the treatment of rainwater to
  supply a plumbing fixture or appliance.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1301.151(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners consists of
  nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent
  of the senate as follows:
               (1)  one member who has at least 10 years' practical
  experience and is licensed as a master plumber;
               (2)  one member who has at least five years' practical
  experience and is licensed as a journeyman plumber;
               (3)  one member who has at least five years' practical
  experience and is licensed as a plumbing inspector;
               (4)  one member who has been a responsible master
  plumber for at least five years [is a plumbing contractor] with at
  least 10 [five] years' experience as a licensed journeyman plumber
  or master plumber;
               (5)  one member who is a licensed engineer practicing
  in the field of plumbing engineering;
               (6)  two members who are building contractors with at
  least five years' contracting experience, one of whom is
  principally engaged in home building and one of whom is principally
  engaged in commercial building; and
               (7)  two members who represent the public.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1301.202(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board shall employ one or more plumbing examiners.
  A plumbing examiner serves at the will of the board. A plumbing
  examiner must:
               (1)  hold a license as a plumber issued under this
  chapter;
               (2)  be knowledgeable of this chapter and municipal
  ordinances relating to plumbing; and
               (3)  be qualified by experience and training in
  plumbing practice.
         SECTION 5.  Section 1301.203(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board may employ a field representative to assist
  the board in enforcing this chapter and rules adopted under this
  chapter.  A field representative must:
               (1)  hold a license issued [as a plumber] under this
  chapter;
               (2)  be knowledgeable of this chapter and municipal
  ordinances relating to plumbing; and
               (3)  be qualified by experience and training in
  plumbing practice or inspections.
         SECTION 6.  Section 1301.204, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.204.  CAREER LADDER PROGRAM; PERFORMANCE
  EVALUATIONS. (a) The executive director [presiding officer of the
  board or the presiding officer's designee] shall develop an
  intra-agency career ladder program. The program must require
  intra-agency posting of each nonentry level position at least 10
  days before the date of any public posting.
         (b)  The executive director [presiding officer of the board
  or the presiding officer's designee] shall develop a system of
  annual performance evaluations based on measurable job tasks. All
  merit pay for board employees must be based on the system
  established under this subsection.
         SECTION 7.  Sections 1301.255(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The board shall adopt the following [plumbing] codes, as
  those codes existed on January 1, 2015 [May 31, 2001]:
               (1)  the Uniform Plumbing Code, as published by the
  International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials;
  [and]
               (2)  the International Plumbing Code, as published by
  the International Code Council;
               (3)  the NFPA 13D Standard for the Installation of
  Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-family Dwellings and Manufactured
  Homes, as published by the National Fire Protection Association;
  and
               (4)  the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, as
  published by the National Fire Protection Association.
         (b)  If a code described by [The board by rule may adopt later
  editions of the plumbing codes listed in] Subsection (a) is
  replaced by a later edition after January 1, 2015, the requirements
  and standards of the new edition shall be used in place of the
  January 1, 2015, edition if the new edition is adopted by the board
  by rule after the board determines that use of the new edition is:
               (1)  in the public interest; and
               (2)  consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
         SECTION 8.  Sections 1301.304(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  On receiving a written and signed complaint alleging a
  violation of this chapter or a board rule:
               (1)  the [The] enforcement committee or an employee
  designated by the enforcement committee may investigate the [an]
  alleged violation; and
               (2)  the [of this chapter or a board rule that is
  reported to the board.
         [(b)  The] enforcement committee shall determine whether a
  person has committed the violation and shall recommend appropriate
  sanctions to the board or, if the enforcement committee determines
  that the complaint is without merit, dismissal of the complaint.
         SECTION 9.  Section 1301.354(c), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  At the applicant's request, the board may credit an
  applicant under Subsection (b) with up to 1,000 [500] hours of the
  work experience required before taking an examination if the
  applicant has completed the classroom portion of a training
  program:
               (1)  approved by the United States Department of Labor,
  Office of Apprenticeship; or
               (2)  provided by a person approved by the board and
  based on course materials approved by the board.
         SECTION 10.  Section 1301.356, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  Before a person may take the examination under
  Subsection (b), the person must complete training in a
  board-approved training program in the area of medical gas piping
  installation.
         SECTION 11.  Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a-1) and (f) and adding Subsection (g) to
  read as follows:
         (a-1)  A person may not design a multipurpose residential
  fire protection sprinkler system for installation under this
  section unless the person:
               (1)  is licensed under this chapter as a master
  plumber[;] and
               [(2)]  holds an endorsement issued under this section;
  or
               (2)  is a licensed engineer who designs fire sprinklers
  or plumbing systems.
         (f)  A plumbing inspector who meets the requirements of the
  board shall [may] inspect or review the plans for a multipurpose
  residential fire protection sprinkler installation, repair, or
  replacement.
         (g)  A certified fire inspector may inspect or review plans
  only for the sprinkler portion of a multipurpose residential fire
  sprinkler installation, repair, or replacement if the certified
  fire inspector:
               (1)  meets or exceeds the NFPA 1031 Standard for
  Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner;
  and
               (2)  is employed or appointed by a political
  subdivision or this state.
         SECTION 12.  Section 1301.357(e), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A person is not required to hold a water supply
  protection specialist endorsement if the person is employed by[:
               [(1)]  a political subdivision[; or
               [(2)     an electric utility as defined by Section 31.002,
  Utilities Code].
         SECTION 13.  Sections 1301.404(b) and (e), Occupations Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A person who holds a license or endorsement under this
  chapter must complete at least six hours of approved classroom 
  continuing professional education each year the person holds the
  license or endorsement to renew the person's license or
  endorsement. The course must include training in:
               (1)  this chapter and board rules;
               (2)  board-approved plumbing codes; and
               (3)  [Three of the six hours must be in the subjects of]
  health protection, energy conservation, and water conservation.
         (e)  A person may complete the continuing professional
  education requirement of this section through a correspondence
  course book and test book as approved by the board.
         SECTION 14.  Section 1301.405(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To renew the certificate of registration, a person who
  holds a certificate of registration under this chapter as a drain
  cleaner, drain cleaner-restricted registrant, or residential
  utilities installer must annually complete at least six hours of
  approved classroom training that includes training in:
               (1)  this chapter and board rules;
               (2)  board-approved plumbing codes; and
               (3)  health protection, energy conservation [training
  in health and safety requirements, board-approved plumbing codes],
  and water conservation.
         SECTION 15.  Subchapter H, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code,
  is amended by adding Section 1301.406 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.406.  MANDATORY TRAINING FOR PLUMBER'S
  APPRENTICE. (a)  To renew the certificate of registration for the
  third renewal and any subsequent renewals, a person who holds a
  certificate of registration under this chapter as a plumber's
  apprentice must complete during the year preceding the renewal date
  at least six hours of approved classroom training that includes
  training in:
               (1)  this chapter and board rules;
               (2)  board-approved plumbing codes; and
               (3)  health protection, energy conservation, and water
  conservation.
         (b)  A person may receive credit for participating in a
  training program only if the program is provided:
               (1)  by a person approved by the board; and
               (2)  according to criteria adopted by the board.
         (c)  A plumber's apprentice who is enrolled and in good
  standing in a training program approved by the United States
  Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, is exempt from
  Subsections (a) and (b).
         (d)  The board by rule may exempt certain persons from the
  requirements of this section if the board determines that the
  exemption is in the public interest.
         SECTION 16.  Section 1301.452(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person is subject to disciplinary action under Section
  1301.451 if the person violates this chapter, an order issued by the
  board, or a board rule.  A violation of this chapter includes:
               (1)  obtaining a license, endorsement, or registration
  through error or fraud;
               (2)  wilfully, negligently, or arbitrarily violating a
  municipal rule or ordinance that regulates sanitation, drainage, or
  plumbing, including falsifying a test for an inspection;
               (3)  making a misrepresentation of services provided or
  to be provided;
               (4)  making a false promise with the intent to induce a
  person to contract for a service; or
               (5)  employing a person who does not hold a license or
  endorsement or who is not registered to engage in an activity for
  which a license, endorsement, or registration is required under
  this chapter.
         SECTION 17.  Sections 1301.551(a) and (c), Occupations Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A municipality with more than 5,000 inhabitants shall
  regulate by ordinance or bylaw the material, construction,
  alteration, and inspection of any pipe, faucet, tank, valve, water
  heater, or other fixture by or through which a supply of water, gas,
  medical gas, medical vacuum, or sewage is used or carried.
         (c)  A municipality that adopts an ordinance or bylaw under
  this section shall provide by ordinance or bylaw that a person must
  obtain a permit before the person performs plumbing, other than the
  repairing of leaks, the replacement of lavatory, bar, or kitchen
  faucets, the replacement of ballcocks or water control valves, the
  replacement of garbage disposals, or the replacement of water
  closets or urinals.  A replacement must comply with current code
  requirements.  The municipality may prescribe the terms on which
  the permit is issued.
         SECTION 18.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
  1301.151(a), Occupations Code, does not affect the entitlement of a
  member serving on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
  immediately before the effective date of this Act to continue to
  serve as a member of the board for the remainder of the member's
  term. The change in law applies only to a member appointed on or
  after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 19.  (a) The changes in law made by this Act apply
  only to an application for a certificate of registration as a drain
  cleaner, drain cleaner-restricted registrant, or residential
  utilities installer submitted on or after the effective date of
  this Act. An application for a certificate of registration
  submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (b)  A person who holds a certificate of registration as a
  drain cleaner, drain cleaner-restricted registrant, or residential
  utilities installer issued before the effective date of this Act
  may continue to renew that certificate of registration without
  complying with the changes in law made by this Act relating to the
  work requirement under the supervision of a responsible master
  plumber.
         (c)  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an
  application for a license as a journeyman plumber submitted on or
  after the effective date of this Act. An application for a license
  submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (d)  A person who holds a license as a journeyman plumber
  issued before the effective date of this Act may continue to renew
  that license without complying with the changes in law made by this
  Act relating to the work requirement under the supervision of a
  responsible master plumber.
         SECTION 20.  (a)  Section 1301.356(b-1), Occupations Code,
  as added by this Act, applies only to an application for an
  endorsement to perform medical gas piping installation submitted on
  or after the effective date of this Act. An application for an
  endorsement submitted before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the application was
  submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         (b)  Section 1301.404(b), Occupations Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to the renewal of a license or endorsement
  that expires on or after the effective date of this Act. A license
  or endorsement that expired before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the license or endorsement
  expired, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (c)  Section 1301.405(a), Occupations Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to the renewal of a certificate of
  registration as a drain cleaner, drain cleaner-restricted
  registrant, or residential utilities installer that expires on or
  after the effective date of this Act. A certificate of registration
  that expired before the effective date of this Act is governed by
  the law in effect on the date the certificate of registration
  expired, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         (d)  Section 1301.406, Occupations Code, as added by this
  Act, applies only to the renewal of a certificate of registration as
  a plumber's apprentice that expires on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A certificate of registration that expired before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the certificate of registration expired, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 21.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt
  rules necessary to implement Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, as
  amended by this Act.
         SECTION 22.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.