bill updating the code enforcement officer registration law

The text as introduced · 701 words

89R10113 DNC-F

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 2440

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code

enforcement officers in training.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1952.001, Occupations Code, is amended

by amending Subdivisions (2) and (2-a) and adding Subdivision (2-b)

to read as follows:

(2) "Code enforcement officer" means an individual

who:

(A) works for [ agent of ] this state or a

political subdivision of this state ; and

(B) [ who ] engages in code enforcement.

(2-a) "Code enforcement officer in training" means an

individual who:

(A) works for this state or a political

subdivision of this state; and

(B) engages in code enforcement under the

supervision of a code enforcement officer registered under this

chapter.

(2-b) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of

Licensing and Regulation.

SECTION 2. Section 1952.002, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.002. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. An individual

[ A person ] is not required to be registered under this chapter if

the individual [ person ]:

(1) is required to be licensed or registered under

another law of this state; and

(2) engages in code enforcement under that license or

registration.

SECTION 3. Section 1952.003, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.003. EMPLOYMENT OF REGISTERED INDIVIDUAL

[ PERSON ] NOT REQUIRED. This state or a political subdivision of

this state may engage in code enforcement without employing an

individual [ a person ] registered under this chapter , if the

individual who is engaging in code enforcement for the state or

political subdivision is exempt from registration under Section

1952.002 .

SECTION 4. Section 1952.101, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.101. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Except as permitted

by Section 1952.002, an individual [ a person ] may not claim to be a

code enforcement officer or use the title "code enforcement

officer" unless the individual [ person ] holds a valid certificate

of registration under this chapter.

SECTION 5. Section 1952.102, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.102. ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER AS CODE ENFORCEMENT

OFFICER. To be eligible to receive a certificate of registration as

a code enforcement officer, an individual [ a person ] must:

(1) submit an application in the manner and on the form

prescribed by the executive director;

(2) have at least one year of full-time experience in

the field of code enforcement;

(3) pass the examination required by the department;

(4) pay the application fee [ , examination, and

registration fees ]; and

(5) meet any other requirements prescribed by this

chapter or by commission rule.

SECTION 6. Section 1952.103(c), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(c) A code enforcement officer in training may engage in

code enforcement under the supervision of a [ registered ] code

enforcement officer registered under this chapter .

SECTION 7. Section 1952.104, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.104. RECIPROCAL REGISTRATION. On proper

application, the department shall issue a certificate of

registration to a license holder or registrant of another state

that has requirements for the licensing or registration of a code

enforcement officer that are at least substantially equivalent to

those of this state.

SECTION 8. Section 1952.105(a), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) A certificate of registration issued under this chapter

expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance and may be

renewed biennially on proper application, payment of the required

renewal fee , and [ on ] completion of the continuing education

requirements prescribed by commission rule.

SECTION 9. Section 1952.151(a), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission or executive director may deny an

individual's [ a person's ] application for a certificate of

registration if the individual's [ person's ] certificate or license

to engage in code enforcement or a related profession has been

revoked by another licensing entity in this state or another state

for:

(1) unprofessional conduct;

(2) fraud, deceit, or negligence; or

(3) misconduct in the practice of code enforcement or

a related profession.

SECTION 10. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.