89R15332 BEE-D

By: Wilson H.B. No. 5629

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the occupational licensing of military spouses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 55.004(a) and (d), Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules for the issuance of the license to an applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse and:

(1) holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that:

(A) for a military service member or military veteran, has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; and

(B) for a military spouse, is similar in scope of practice to a license issued in this state; or

(2) within the five years preceding the application date held the license in this state.

(d) A state agency that issues a license that has a residency requirement for license eligibility:

(1) shall adopt rules regarding documentation necessary for an applicant who is a military service member [or military spouse] to establish residency for purposes of this section [subsection], including by providing to the agency a copy of the permanent change of station order for the applicant; and

(2) may not adopt rules requiring documentation for an applicant who is a military spouse to establish residency for purposes of this section [or the applicant's spouse].

SECTION 2. Section 55.0041, Occupations Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (e) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) Notwithstanding any other law:

(1)[,] a military service member [or military spouse] may engage in a business or occupation for which a license is required without obtaining the applicable license if the member [or spouse] is currently licensed in good standing by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; and

(2) a military spouse may engage in a business or occupation for which a license is required without obtaining the applicable license if the spouse currently holds a license similar in scope of practice issued by another jurisdiction and is in good standing with that licensing authority.

(b) Before engaging in the practice of the business or occupation, the military service member [or military spouse] must:

(1) notify the applicable state agency of the member's [or spouse's] intent to practice in this state;

(2) submit to the agency proof of the member's [or spouse's] residency in this state in accordance with rules adopted under Section 55.004(d) and a copy of the member's [or spouse's] military identification card; and

(3) receive from the agency confirmation that:

(A) the agency has verified the member's [or spouse's] license in the other jurisdiction; and

(B) the member [or spouse] is authorized to engage in the business or occupation in accordance with this section.

(b-1) Before engaging in the practice of the business or occupation, the military spouse must:

(1) notify the applicable state agency of the spouse's intent to practice in this state;

(2) submit to the agency a copy of the spouse's military identification card; and

(3) receive from the agency confirmation that:

(A) the agency has verified the spouse's license in the other jurisdiction; and

(B) the spouse is authorized to engage in the business or occupation in accordance with this section.

(e) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules must establish a process for the agency to:

(1) identify, with respect to each type of license issued by the agency, the jurisdictions that:

(A) have licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; or

(B) issue licenses similar in scope of practice to a license issued in this state; and

(2) not later than the 30th day after the date a military service member or military spouse submits the information described by Subsection (b) or (b-1) [Subsections (b)(1) and (2)], as applicable, verify that the member or spouse is licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction described by Subdivision (1).

SECTION 3. Section 55.009, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 55.009. LICENSE APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION FEES. Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues a license shall waive the license application and examination fees paid to the state for an applicant who is:

(1) a military service member or military veteran whose military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the requirements for the license; or

(2) either:

(A) a military service member or[,] military veteran[, or military spouse] who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; or

(B) a military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that is similar in scope of practice to a license issued in this state.

SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, a state agency, as defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, shall adopt, modify, or repeal the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an application for a license filed with a state agency, as defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, on or after the effective date of this Act. An application for a license filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.