By: Hinojosa, Blanco  S.B. No. 424
         (In the Senate - Filed January 25, 2021; March 9, 2021, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce;
  April 6, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 6, 2021,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 424 By:  Nichols
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to state agency enforcement of laws regulating small
  businesses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 2006, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2006.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2006.003.  OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY VIOLATION; POLICY.
  (a) This section applies only to a state agency with regulatory
  authority over a small business.
         (b)  A state agency may not impose an administrative penalty
  against a small business for a first violation of a statute or a
  rule administered by the agency, other than a violation committed
  knowingly or intentionally, unless the agency first provides the
  small business written notice of the violation and an opportunity
  to remedy the violation within a reasonable time after receiving
  the notice. Notwithstanding any other law, a violation is not
  considered to be a continuing violation during the reasonable time
  in which the small business attempts in good faith to remedy the
  violation.
         (c)  Each state agency subject to this section shall adopt a
  policy consistent with the requirements of Subsection (b). The
  policy must provide that the agency will not attempt to recover an
  administrative penalty during the reasonable time the small
  business is attempting in good faith to remedy the violation.
         (d)  This section does not apply to an action taken by:
               (1)  a state agency to protect public health and safety
  or the environment;
               (2)  an officer listed in Section 411.0765(b)(18) in
  connection with the regulation of financial services; or
               (3)  the Texas Workforce Commission if the action is
  required to conform to or comply with federal law.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2022, each state agency
  shall adopt and implement the policy required by Section 2006.003,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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