By: Capriglione H.B. No. 3156
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of reroofing contractors; providing
  administrative and civil penalties; authorizing fees; creating a
  criminal offense; requiring an occupational registration.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 20, Insurance Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 6004 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 6004. REROOFING CONTRACTORS
  SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 6004.001.  SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as
  the Reroofing Contractor Registration Act.
         Sec. 6004.002.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Advisory board" means the Reroofing Contractor
  Advisory Board.
               (2)  "Commissioner" means the Texas Commissioner of
  Insurance.
               (3)  "Department" means the Texas Department of
  Insurance.
               (4)  "Person" means an individual or business entity.
               (6)  "Registered reroofing contractor" means a
  reroofing contractor who is registered under this chapter and who
  holds a valid statement of registration number issued under this
  chapter.
               (7)  "Reroofing contractor" means a person who:
                     (A)  engages in repairing, recovering, or
  replacing existing roof coverings on residential or commercial
  structures; or
                     (B)  solicits, advertises, or contracts to
  repair, recover, or replace existing roof coverings on residential
  or commercial structures.
               (8)  "Reroofing project" means a project to repair,
  recover, or replace an existing roof covering on a residential or
  commercial structure.
         Sec. 6004.003.  EXEMPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  an owner of residential property or property
  primarily used for agricultural purposes, or an employee of the
  owner, who performs a reroofing project on the owner's property;
               (2)  an authorized employee or representative of the
  United States government, this state, or a county, municipality, or
  other political subdivision of this state acting in an official
  capacity;
               (3)  the new construction of a residential or
  commercial structure; or
               (4)  a person performing a minor repair of an existing
  roof covering if the value of the repair does not exceed $500.
  SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES
         Sec. 6004.051.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The department
  shall administer and enforce this chapter.
         Sec. 6004.052.  RULES. (a) The commissioner by rule shall:
               (1)  prescribe the requirements for the issuance and
  renewal of a registration under this chapter;
               (2)  adopt a code of ethics for reroofing contractors;
  and
               (3)  with respect to reroofing projects on property
  located in an area for which the governor declares a state of
  disaster under Chapter 418, Government Code, provide for:
                     (A)  a temporary exception to the requirements of
  this chapter; and
                     (B)  the temporary recognition of reroofing
  contractors licensed or registered in good standing in another
  state.
         (b)  The commissioner may adopt additional rules as
  necessary to administer this chapter.
         Sec. 6004.053.  FEES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection
  (b), the commissioner shall establish and collect reasonable and
  necessary fees in amounts sufficient to cover the costs of
  administering this chapter by the department.
         (b)  The fees adopted under this chapter must include fees
  for:
               (1)  an initial application for registration, in an
  amount not to exceed $250; and
               (2)  the renewal of a registration, in an amount not to
  exceed $100.
         Sec. 6004.054.  DEPOSIT IN OPERATING ACCOUNT. All fees
  collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the state
  treasury to the credit of the Texas Department of Insurance
  operating account for use in administering this chapter.
         Sec. 6004.055.  REGISTRATION DATABASE. The department shall
  make available on its Internet website a publicly accessible list
  of all registered reroofing contractors who are in good standing.
  The list must be searchable by name and location. The list must
  contain the following for each registered reroofing contractor:
               (1)  the name, mailing address, and telephone number of
  the reroofing contractor;
               (2)  the date of initial registration;
               (3)  information concerning the reroofing contractor's
  insurance coverage, if reported by the reroofing contractor;
               (4)  a summary of any disciplinary action taken by the
  department against the reroofing contractor; and
               (5)  any other information required by the department.
         Sec. 6004.055.  REGISTRATION VERIFICATION. (a) A county or
  municipal building official may not grant or approve a building or
  construction permit for a reroofing project unless the applicant
  for the permit is:
               (1)  a registered reroofing contractor; or
               (2)  exempt from registration under this chapter.
         (b)  On request of a county or municipal building official,
  the department shall verify the registration of an applicant
  described by Subsection (a).  The department shall establish a
  verification system to ensure a timely response to a request for
  verification of a registration.
         Sec. 6004.056.  ADVISORY BOARD. (a) The Reroofing
  Contractor Advisory Board shall advise the commissioner in adopting
  rules under this chapter. 
         (b)  The advisory board consists of seven members appointed
  by the commissioner as follows:
               (1)  four reroofing contractors;
               (2)  the county or municipal building official in this
  state; and
               (3)  two members who represent the public.
         (c)  Appointments to the advisory board shall be made without
  regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or
  national origin of the appointee.
         (d)  Members of the advisory board serve three-year terms.
         (e)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  size, composition, or duration of the advisory board.
         (f)  Advisory board members may not receive compensation for
  serving as a member.
  SUBCHAPTER C. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
         Sec. 6004.101.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (a) Unless the
  person holds a registration issued under this chapter, a person may
  not: 
               (1)  perform or otherwise engage in a reroofing
  project; or
               (2)  solicit, advertise, or contract to perform or
  engage in a reroofing project.
         (b)  A registration under this chapter shall be issued in the
  form of a statement of registration number.
         (c)  A registration issued under this chapter:
               (1)  is valid only with respect to the person named on
  the registration; and
               (2)  authorizes the registration holder to operate as a
  reroofing contractor.
         (d)  A person may obtain a registration for more than one
  business entity. A registration is not transferable. 
         Sec. 6004.102.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. (a) A person
  is not required to be registered under this chapter if: 
               (1)  subject to Subsection (b), the person is a sales
  manager, project manager, or other person employed or otherwise
  used by a registered reroofing contractor in the ordinary course of
  the contractor's business if the person does not engage in
  repairing, recovering, or replacing an existing roof covering; or
               (2)  the person engages in repairing, recovering, or
  replacing an existing roof covering as an employee of or under
  contract with a registered reroofing contractor and the person is
  not involved in soliciting, advertising, or executing contracts for
  the contractor.
         (b)  A person described by Subsection (a)(1) shall operate in
  the name of the registered reroofing contractor. The reroofing
  contractor is responsible for the conduct of that person in
  complying with the requirements of this chapter.
         Sec. 6004.103.  APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION. (a) An
  applicant for registration shall submit an application to the
  department on a form prescribed by the department.
         (b)  The application must be accompanied by:
               (1)  if the applicant is an individual, proof of the
  applicant's identity;
               (2)  if the applicant is a business entity, proof of the
  applicant's existence and confirmation of authority to conduct
  business in this state under a certificate of status issued by the
  secretary of state that is in good standing;
               (3)  proof of the mailing address and telephone number
  of the applicant's residence or business location; and
               (4)  the application fee.
         Sec. 6004.104.  ISSUANCE OF REGISTRATION; TERM. (a) The
  department shall issue a registration to an applicant who complies
  with the registration requirements of this chapter not later than
  the 14th day after the date the department receives the
  application.
         (b)  A registration is valid for two years from the date of
  issuance and may be renewed before expiration in the manner
  provided by Section 6004.105. 
         Sec. 6004.105.  RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION. (a) To renew a
  registration, a reroofing contractor shall submit an application
  for renewal to the department on a form prescribed by the executive
  director.
         (b)  The application must be accompanied by:
               (1)  documentation of any changes in the reroofing
  contractor's information submitted to the department under Section
  6004.103(b); and
               (2)  the renewal fee.
  SUBCHAPTER D. PRACTICE BY REGISTRATION HOLDER
         Sec. 6004.151.  DISCLOSURE OF REGISTRATION NUMBER. (a) A
  registered reroofing contractor shall include the contractor's
  registration number in each: 
               (1)  contract for a reroofing project in the manner
  provided by Section 6004.153; and
               (2)  advertisement for a reroofing service by the
  contractor, including on each business card, flyer, or door card
  and in each television, radio, social media, or newspaper
  advertisement.
         (b)  Other than the inclusion of a registration number in the
  manner prescribed by this section, a reroofing contractor may not
  make any representation or statement regarding the effect of being
  issued a registration under this chapter or the fact that the
  contractor has been issued a registration under this chapter. 
         Sec. 6004.152.  CERTAIN PRACTICES RELATING TO INSURANCE
  DEDUCTIBLES PROHIBITED. A registered reroofing contractor may not
  advertise or promise to pay or rebate all or part of an insurance
  deductible in connection with a reroofing project in violation of
  Section 27.02, Business & Commerce Code. 
         Sec. 6004.153.  CONTRACT FOR REROOFING PROJECT. (a) Before
  engaging in a reroofing project, a registered reroofing contractor
  must provide a written contract to the property owner that is signed
  by the reroofing contractor or the contractor's designee and the
  property owner.
         (b)  A written contract under Subsection (a) must include:
               (1)  the following statement printed in at least
  12-point bold type: "The work to be performed under this contract
  must commence not later than the 30th day after the date the
  reroofing contractor collects an initial payment, unless a longer
  period is agreed to in writing and signed by both parties to this
  contract.";
               (2)  the reroofing contractor's contact information,
  including physical address, e-mail address, and telephone number;
               (3)  the reroofing contractor's policy regarding
  cancellation of the contract; and
               (4)  the reroofing contractor's registration number in
  at least 12-point bold type in the following form: "Texas
  Registered Reroofing Contractor Number (registration number)."
         Sec. 6004.154.  COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAW. (a) A registered
  reroofing contractor shall comply with each applicable:
               (1)  building code adopted by this state or a political
  subdivision of this state; and
               (2)  order, ordinance, or rule of a political
  subdivision relating to the issuance of a permit for or the
  performance of a reroofing project in the political subdivision.
         (b)  A registered reroofing contractor shall comply with
  Chapter 58, Business & Commerce Code, during a natural disaster, as
  that term is defined by Section 58.001, Business & Commerce Code.
         (c)  The registered reroofing contractor's contract
  cancellation policy must be consistent with state law.
  SUBCHAPTER E. ENFORCEMENT
         Sec. 6004.201.  INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The
  department shall investigate any complaint alleging a violation of
  this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter. 
         (b)  A complaint must be filed in a manner prescribed by the
  department.
         Sec. 6004.202.  ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. The commissioner or
  department may impose an administrative penalty on a person under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 51, regardless of whether the person is
  registered under this chapter, if the person violates:
               (1)  this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter;
  or
               (2)  an order of the commissioner or department.
         Sec. 6004.203.  SANCTIONS. The commissioner or department
  may impose sanctions as provided by Section 51.353.
         Sec. 6004.204.  CEASE AND DESIST ORDER. The commissioner or
  department may issue a cease and desist order under Section 51.3513
  to prohibit any person from performing or engaging in a reroofing
  project if the person is not in compliance with this chapter.
         Sec. 6004.205.  CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an
  offense if the person violates this chapter.
         (b)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
         (c)  If the conduct constituting an offense under this
  section also constitutes an offense under Section 32.42(b)(12),
  Penal Code, the person may be prosecuted under either section or
  under both sections.
         Sec. 6004.206.  DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. A reroofing
  contractor who advertises that the contractor holds a registration
  under this chapter commits a false, misleading, or deceptive act or
  practice within the meaning of Section 17.46, Business & Commerce
  Code, if the reroofing contractor does not hold a valid
  registration issued under this chapter.
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Insurance shall adopt
  rules necessary to implement Chapter 6004, Insurance Code, as added
  by this Act, not later than January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 3.  The Texas Department of Insurance shall begin
  issuing registrations under Chapter 6004, Insurance Code, as added
  by this Act, not later than March 1, 2020.
         SECTION 4.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
         (b)  Section 6004.101, Insurance Code, and Subchapters D and
  E, Chapter 6004, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, take effect
  March 1, 2020.