BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1466

By: Clardy

Insurance

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law authorizes the commissioner of insurance to adopt continuing education programs for fire alarm technicians licensed through the State Fire Marshal. The statute states that participation in such continuing education programs is voluntary rather than mandatory. As a result, the State of Texas does not have assurance that state-licensed fire alarm technicians are obtaining a proper level of continuing education. It has been noted that this is a public health and safety issue. There are concerns that recent events, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shift to more workers staying home for work may increase home fire hazard risks while leaving business offices vacant and also more vulnerable to such risks. H.B. 1466 seeks to address these concerns by removing the provision making participation in a continuing education program for licensed fire alarm technicians, residential fire alarm technicians, residential fire alarm superintendents, or fire alarm planning superintendents voluntary.

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. 1466 amends the Insurance Code to remove the provision making participation in a continuing education program certified by the commissioner of insurance for licensed fire alarm technicians, residential fire alarm technicians, residential fire alarm superintendents, or fire alarm planning superintendents voluntary. The bill prohibits the commissioner from adopting the following rules regarding such continuing education:

· a rule that excludes or devalues a signed or otherwise substantially verifiable certificate of training that is applicable to the areas of work authorized by the relevant license and issued by a training program or school that is nationally recognized or authorized under applicable state law; or

· a rule that requires more than eight hours of continuing education for any license renewal period.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.