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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Our citizens deserve the freedom to pursue their |
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chosen career paths without unnecessary interference from the |
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government, but occupational licensure imposes undue burdens on |
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many aspiring professionals and disincentives on working in |
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numerous industries; and |
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WHEREAS, The list of occupations subjected to these |
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regulations continues to expand, with approximately 150 trades and |
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professions needing a state-issued license; while licensure is |
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often justified in fields that affect health, safety, and public |
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welfare, it too frequently imposes onerous fees and requires |
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state-administered examinations even in areas in which such |
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concerns are absent; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to limiting the potential success of |
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individuals, licensure negatively impacts our economy by reducing |
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job growth, decreasing competition, discouraging innovation, and |
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hindering business investment; and |
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WHEREAS, By repealing specific occupational licensure |
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requirements and reforming general licensing laws, the government |
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can help advance a free market system that creates boundless |
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opportunities for individuals and furthers the economic prosperity |
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of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house |
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of representatives to create a joint interim committee to conduct a |
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study on occupational licensing and issues for reform; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the study specifically examine: |
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(1) abolishing criminal penalties; |
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(2) identifying health and safety requirements; |
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(3) increasing reciprocity for individuals licensed |
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in other jurisdictions; |
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(4) eliminating grandfathering practices; |
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(5) linking licensure requirements to the goal of |
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protecting the health and safety of the public; and |
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(6) the potential benefit of enacting a blanket |
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opt-out exemption for all occupations unrelated to health and |
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safety, as long as exempted workers disclose that they are |
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operating without a state-issued license; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be |
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governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim |
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committees as the 84th Legislature may adopt. |