BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1237
89R3352 ANG-D	By: Guillen (Zaffirini)
	Natural Resources
	5/12/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law only allows a 30-day window for the renewal of an expired occupational license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). After this period a person may not renew the license but may obtain a new license by complying with the requirements and procedures for obtaining an original license. This short time frame can lead to unnecessary lapses that impact workers and industries that rely on these licenses.

H.B. 1237 would help prevent unnecessary disruptions in employment and industry operations caused by expired licenses by extending the renewal period in order to provide flexibility for professionals who may miss the renewal deadline due to unforeseen circumstances, while maintaining accountability through increased fees for late renewals.

H.B. 1237 amends current law relating to the renewal by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain expired occupational licenses and registrations.

[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), as the successor agency to TNRCC.]

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.006, Water Code, by amending Subsections (f) and (g) and adding Subsection (h), as follows:

(f) Authorizes a person whose license or registration has been expired for not more than 90 days, rather than 30 days or less, to apply for renewal of the license or registration by paying to the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) a renewal fee in an amount prescribed by TNRCC rule not to exceed 1-1/2 times the normally required renewal fee.

(g) Authorizes a person whose license or registration has been expired for at least 90 days but not more than one year to apply for renewal of the license or registration by paying to TNRCC a renewal fee in an amount prescribed by TNRCC rule not to exceed two times the normally required renewal fee.

(h) Creates this subsection from existing text. Prohibits a person whose license or registration has been expired for at least one year, rather than more than 30 days, from renewing the license or registration.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.