BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1657
85R3254 BEE-F	By: Phelan; Ar�valo (West)
	Business & Commerce
	5/16/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties note that when the state legislature began regulating interior design, certain persons who had been practicing interior design were exempted from the state's examination requirements. Concerns have been raised regarding the recent legislation that eliminated the ability for those designers to renew their registration unless they passed the interior design exam adopted by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. In light of the fact that many of these designers are sole practitioners or small business owners who have been practicing for decades, H.B. 1657 seeks to provide these designers an additional ten years to continue to renew their registration without complying with the examination requirement.

H.B. 1657 amends current law relating to the renewal of a certificate of registration by certain interior designers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1051.351(c-1), Occupations Code, as follows:

(c-1) Prohibits a person who holds a certificate of registration under Chapter 1053 (Interior Designers) without examination, notwithstanding Subsection (a) (relating to authorizing certain persons to renew an unexpired certificate by paying a certain fee), from renewing the certificate on or after September 1, 2027, rather than September 1, 2017, unless, before September 1, 2027, rather than September 1, 2017, the person has passed the registration examination adopted by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners under Section 1053.154 (Examination Required) and in effect on January 1, 2014. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2029, rather than January 1, 2019.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.