The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) proposes the repeal of 22 TAC Chapter 102, §102.1, concerning fees charged by the Board, and proposes new §102.1 to replace it. The proposed new section contains new language to enact certain fee requirements imposed by Senate Bill 1152 and Senate Bill 263, §10 and §19, 78th Legislature. The new section, compared to the current iteration, also contains extensive revisions to clarify and standardize language, and to improve organization.

Section 102.1(a)(4)(A) reflects the addition of the statutorily required $5 online fee for dental licensees, changing the annual dental registration renewal fee from $111 to $116.

Section 102.1(b)(4)(A) reflects the addition of the statutorily required $3 online fee for dental licensees, changing the annual dental registration renewal fee from $66 to $69.

Section 102.1(c)(1) reflects the addition of fees for the new dental assistant registration program, in the amount of $50 for the initial registration, and $25 for the annual renewal.

Section 102.1(c)(2) reflects a proposed reduction in the fees for a pit and fissure sealant certification, in order to help offset the cost to dental assistants who wish to hold both a dental assistant registration and a pit and fissure sealant certification. The initial registration fee has been reduced from $50 to $25, and the annual renewal fee has been reduced from $50 to $15.

Section 102.1(d)(2)(B) reflects the addition of the statutorily required annual $3.00 "e-pay" service fee for dental licensees.

There are no other substantive changes to the section.

Bobby D. Schmidt, Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the repeal and new section are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for local or state government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposal.

The public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal and new section will be minimal.

The impact on large, small or micro-businesses will be minimal.

The anticipated economic cost to persons as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal and nes section will be negligible. Dental assistants who wish to be able to legally position and expose x-rays will now have to pay a fee as part of the registration requirement. However, the Board has made an effort to keep those fees to a minimum, and has reduced other fees to try to help compensate.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bobby D. Schmidt, M.Ed., Executive Director, Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 800, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1660. To be considered, all written comments must be received by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners no later than 30 days from the date that this proposal is published in the Texas Register.

The new section is proposed under Texas Government Code §§2001.021 et seq., Texas Civil Statutes; the Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties.

The proposed new section affects Title 3, Subtitle D of the Occupations Code and Title 22, Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 101 - 125.