84R13844 BEF-D
 
  By: Lucio III H.B. No. 3837
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the licensing and regulation of certain rainwater
  harvesting; providing administrative penalties; authorizing fees;
  requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 7, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 202 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 202. RAINWATER HARVESTING
  SUBCHAPTER A. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT
         Sec. 202.001.  RULES. The department shall adopt rules that
  are reasonable and necessary for the performance of the
  department's duties under this chapter, including rules to
  establish:
               (1)  licensing and other fees;
               (2)  license renewal dates; 
               (3)  procedures for disciplinary actions; and
               (4)  standards for the installation and maintenance of
  rainwater harvesting equipment by a license holder.
         Sec. 202.002.  LICENSING AND REGULATORY DUTIES. The
  department shall:
               (1)  review and approve or reject each application for
  the issuance or renewal of a license;
               (2)  issue each license; and
               (3)  deny, suspend, or revoke a license or otherwise
  discipline a license holder.
  SUBCHAPTER B. RAINWATER HARVESTING LICENSE
         Sec. 202.051.  LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not install or
  maintain or offer to install or maintain, for compensation, a
  rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of more than 500
  gallons unless the person holds:
               (1)  a license under this chapter; or
               (2)  a master plumber or a journeyman plumber license
  issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and holds a
  water supply protection specialist endorsement issued by the board.
         Sec. 202.052.  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE. The department shall
  issue a license to an applicant who:
               (1)  meets the eligibility requirements of Section
  202.053;
               (2)  submits an application on a form prescribed by the
  department; and
               (3)  pays the required application fee.
         Sec. 202.053.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. To be eligible for
  a license under this chapter, an applicant must:
               (1)  successfully complete a rainwater harvesting
  training program approved by the department; and
               (2)  pass an examination administered or approved by
  the department.
         Sec. 202.054.  LICENSE TERM AND RENEWAL. (a) A license
  issued under this chapter is valid for three years.
         (b)  A person who holds a license under this chapter may
  renew the license by:
               (1)  paying the required renewal fee;
               (2)  submitting the appropriate form; and
               (3)  meeting any other requirement established by
  department rule.
         Sec. 202.055.  CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. The
  department by rule shall adopt, monitor, and enforce a reporting
  program for the continuing education of license holders. The
  department shall adopt and administer rules that:
               (1)  establish the number of hours of continuing
  education the department determines appropriate as a prerequisite
  to the renewal of a license under this chapter; and
               (2)  adopt a process to assess a license holder's
  participation in continuing education courses.
  SUBCHAPTER C. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
         Sec. 202.101.  LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. The
  department may suspend or revoke a license if the license holder
  violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.
         Sec. 202.102.  CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
  offense if the person violates Section 202.051.
         (b)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 12.020(c), Agriculture Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The provisions of law subject to this section and the
  applicable penalty amounts are as follows:
 
 
Provision Amount of Penalty  
 
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
[and] 134, and 202 not more than $5,000
 
 
 
 
Subchapters A, B, and C, Chapter 71 not more than $5,000
 
Chapter 14 not more than $10,000
 
Chapter 1951, Occupations Code not more than $5,000
 
Chapter 153, Natural Resources    
 
Code not more than $5,000.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than March 1, 2016, the Department of
  Agriculture shall adopt rules necessary to implement Chapter 202,
  Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
         (b)  Section 12.020(c), Agriculture Code, as amended by this
  Act, and Sections 202.051 and 202.102, Agriculture Code, as added
  by this Act, take effect September 1, 2016.