new plumbing license: service technician, 2,000 apprentice hours

The text as introduced · 852 words

90R2064 JCG-D

By: Richardson
H.B. No. 552

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, including

the licensing of a plumbing service technician.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1301.002, Occupations Code, is amended

by amending Subdivision (6) and adding Subdivision (9-b) to read as

follows:

(6) "Plumber's apprentice" means a person other than a

master plumber, journeyman plumber, service technician, or

tradesman plumber-limited license holder who, as the person's

principal occupation, learns about and assists in the installation

of plumbing, has fulfilled the requirements of and is registered by

the board, and works under the supervision of a responsible master

plumber and the direct supervision of a licensed plumber.

(9-b) "Service technician" means a person licensed

under this chapter who:

(A) has completed training and education as

required by board rule;

(B) has completed at least 2,000 hours working

under the direct supervision of a journeyman or master plumber as a

plumber's apprentice;

(C) has passed the required examination;

(D) repairs and replaces plumbing, not involving

gas appliances, in one-family or two-family dwellings; and

(E) has fulfilled any other requirements imposed

by board rule.

SECTION 2. Section 1301.158, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.158. [ PER DIEM; ] REIMBURSEMENT. (a) A board

member may not receive a fixed salary for service on the board.

(b) [ A board member is entitled to receive a per diem as set

by the General Appropriations Act for each day the member engages in

the business of the board.

[ (c) A board member may not receive reimbursement for travel

expenses, including expenses for meals and lodging, other than

transportation expenses. ] A board member is entitled to

reimbursement for actual and necessary [ transportation ] expenses

incurred in performing functions as a board member, subject to any

applicable limitation on reimbursement [ as ] provided by the General

Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is

amended by adding Section 1301.160 to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.160. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. The board members,

executive director, and employees of the board are not liable for

any action taken or omission made or suffered by them in good faith

in the performance of any duty in connection with any program or

system administered by the board.

SECTION 4. Section 1301.202(b), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) A plumbing examiner shall:

(1) examine the fitness and qualifications of a person

applying to the board for a license as a master plumber, journeyman

plumber, service technician, tradesman plumber-limited license

holder, or plumbing inspector; and

(2) promptly certify the result of the examination to

the board.

SECTION 5. The heading to Section 1301.259, Occupations

Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.259. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION .

SECTION 6. Subchapter E, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is

amended by adding Sections 1301.2595, 1301.264, and 1301.265 to

read as follows:

Sec. 1301.2595. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) In this section,

"institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by

Section 61.003, Education Code.

(b) The board may enter into a memorandum of understanding

with an institution of higher education to:

(1) support workforce development;

(2) improve services to students; and

(3) coordinate student support services.

(c) A memorandum of understanding under this section must:

(1) by interagency agreement allow for the sharing of

resources, including office space and equipment for education,

outreach, and testing opportunities; and

(2) be approved by the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board.

Sec. 1301.264. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may

solicit and accept a gift, grant, donation, or another item of value

from any source to pay for any activity under this chapter.

Sec. 1301.265. AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE POWER REGARDING

CERTAIN ORDERS. The board may delegate to the executive director

the authority of the board to approve an agreed order, default

order, or similar order related to the disposition of a contested

case.

SECTION 7. Section 1301.352, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.352. EXAMINATION REQUIRED. The board shall issue

a license or endorsement as a master plumber, journeyman plumber,

plumbing inspector, tradesman plumber-limited license holder,

medical gas piping installation endorsement holder, water supply

protection specialist, service technician, or multipurpose

residential fire protection sprinkler specialist to a person who

demonstrates the fitness, competence, and qualifications to

receive the license or endorsement by passing a uniform, reasonable

examination.

SECTION 8. Subchapter G, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is

amended by adding Section 1301.3545 to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.3545. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE

TECHNICIAN LICENSE. The board by rule shall adopt eligibility

requirements for a person to apply for and take the examination for

a license as a service technician.

SECTION 9. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt

rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act to

Chapter 1301, Occupations Code.

SECTION 10. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.