The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board proposes amendments to §153.5, concerning Fees and §153.9, concerning Applications.

Section 153.5 proposes amendments which would add language establishing an education evaluation fee of $30. The amendments will also increase the application and renewal fees by $30 each year.

Section 153.9 proposes amendments which would add language requiring applicants to submit their education for evaluation prior to submitting their application for licensure or certification. The amendment also revises TALCB applications to incorporate the fee changes being proposed.

Troy Beaulieu, attorney for the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, after consulting with Karen Alexander, director of staff services, has determined that for the first five-year period §153.5 is in effect there will be fiscal implications for the state as a result of enforcing or administering the section. Annual revenues would increase by approximately $221,130 for FY 2008 and $265,380 for each year thereafter for the first five years after the section as amended is in effect. There are no fiscal implications for state government as a result of enforcing or administering §153.9. There are no fiscal implications anticipated for local government and there is no anticipated impact on local or state employment as a result of implementing the sections as proposed.

Mr. Beaulieu also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, the anticipated public benefit as a result of these amendments is that the application, renewal and other fees being added or increased by adoption of the rule will provide additional revenue for the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board to facilitate accomplishing the agency's statutory duties and obligations (i.e. licensing and regulating real estate appraisers and protecting consumers of real estate appraisal services). There will be a small effect on small businesses for §153.5, since appraisal service oriented businesses will obviously be paying additional fees to obtain or renew a license or certification. There are obviously anticipated costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed, namely the $30 increase in application fees annually, the $30 increase in renewal fees annually and the $30 education evaluation fee. There will be no effect on §153.9 for small businesses and there is no anticipated cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Troy Beaulieu, attorney for the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, Subchapter D, Board Powers and Duties (Occupations Code, Chapter 1103), which provides the board with authority to adopt rules under §1103.151, Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses and §1103.154, Rules Relating to Professional Conduct.

No other code, article, or statute is affected by this proposal.