BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4249

By: Kuempel

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prior to the enactment of a statewide license for HVAC/R contractors, each municipality issued its own license for which a fee was charged. After the enactment went into effect, it is reported that municipalities began charging contractors a registration or administrative fee to do business within the city limits. In some metropolitan areas, HVAC/R contractors could be required to pay multiple municipal registration fees which can be expensive. To address these concerns and in alignment with the treatment of licensed plumbers and electricians in this regard, H.B. 4249 seeks to prohibit municipalities from charging HVAC/R contractors certain fees if the contactor holds a statewide air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license for work performed in the municipality, while explicitly excluding a prohibition on permit fees.

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

H.B. 4249 amends the Occupations Code to prohibit a municipality from collecting a registration fee, administrative fee, or any other fee from a person who holds a statewide air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license for work performed in the municipality or for providing notice to the municipality regarding obtainment of such a license. The bill expressly does not prohibit a municipality from collecting a building permit fee.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.