Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

___________________________
REGULATORY
77 th Texas Legislature
Electronic Licensing - S.B. 645
by Senator Shapiro
House Sponsor: Representative McCall
Occupational licensing is intended to prevent unqualified people from practicing licensed occupations and
to protect the public by ensuring compliance with government regulations.
Implements an electronic system for occupational licensing transactions operated by the Department of
Information Resources (DIR).
Lists the licensing authorities required to participate in an electronic licensing system.
Requires the DIR to administer a common electronic system using the Internet through which a licensing
authority can electronically send occupational licenses and other documents, receive application for
licenses and other documents, and receive required payments.
Allows DIR to contract with a private vendor to implement these requirements, and requires it to charge
fees in amounts sufficient to cover the cost of implementing them.
Licensed Professional Engineers - S.B. 697
by Senator Wentworth
House Sponsor: Representative Haggerty
Licensed professional engineers are among the few professional or occupational groups without mandatory
continuing education requirements. The Board of Professional Engineers (board) is authorized to
administer a continuing education program, but participation in the program is voluntary.
Authorizes the board to adopt rules requiring continuing education and to establish standards for these
rules, including activities for which a licensee is authorized to receive credit.
Increased Enforcement of Hazardous Substances Law - S.B. 1045
by Senator Moncrief
House Sponsor: Representative Capelo
Amends the Health and Safety Code to make comprehensive changes to the provisions related to the use
and handling of hazardous materials.
Requires the Texas Board of Health (board) to establish flammability standards which conform to the
federal Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), and the federal
Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Also changes the definition of terms such as flammable and
combustible to conform to definitions provided under FHSA.
Senate Research Center 244