88R7524 SCP-F
 
  By: Button H.B. No. 3521
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the recovery of certain direct administrative costs
  incurred by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy in imposing
  disciplinary action against a license holder.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 901.501(a), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  On a determination that a ground for discipline exists
  under Section 901.502, after notice and hearing as provided by
  Section 901.509, the board may:
               (1)  revoke a certificate, firm license, or practice
  privilege issued under this chapter;
               (2)  suspend under any terms a certificate, firm
  license, practice privilege, or license issued under this chapter
  for a period not to exceed five years;
               (3)  refuse to renew a license;
               (4)  place a license holder on probation;
               (5)  reprimand a license holder;
               (6)  limit the scope of a license holder's practice;
               (7)  require a license holder to complete a peer review
  program conducted in the manner prescribed by the board;
               (8)  require a license holder to complete a continuing
  education program specified by the board;
               (9)  impose on a license holder the direct
  administrative costs incurred by the board in taking action under
  this subsection, including fees or costs related to:
                     (A)  attorneys, consultants, and witnesses;
                     (B)  time spent by board employees to investigate
  or prosecute the disciplinary ground;
                     (C)  copying and filing documents;
                     (D)  court reporters;
                     (E)  hearings conducted by the State Office of
  Administrative Hearings;
                     (F)  case management;
                     (G)  preparing for a hearing, trial, or appeal,
  including preparing any exhibits;
                     (H)  travel and per diem expenses for enforcement
  committee members; and
                     (I)  any other costs or fees reasonably
  attributable to the investigation or prosecution of the
  disciplinary ground [Subdivisions (1) through (8)];
               (10)  require a license holder to pay restitution as
  provided by Section 901.6015;
               (11)  impose an administrative penalty under
  Subchapter L; or
               (12)  impose any combination of the sanctions provided
  by this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  Section 901.501(a), Occupations Code, as amended
  by this Act, applies only to disciplinary action regarding conduct
  that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.  Conduct
  that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
  law in effect on the date the conduct occurred, and the former law
  is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.