The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) proposes amendments to §153.24, concerning Complaint Processing. The amendments are proposed to clarify that receipt of a complaint intake form by TALCB does not constitute the filing of a formal complaint against the individual named on the complaint intake form, to clarify all of the information that a respondent must provide to TALCB following notification of receipt of a complaint intake form, to establish a timeframe for completion of a preliminary review to determine if a violation occurred, to set out the criteria and procedure for filing of a formal complaint by TALCB, to more clearly set out levels of discipline and the mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered when assessing sanctions and to more clearly define penalty parameters at each level.

Kerri T. Galvin, General Counsel, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for the state or for units of local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section. There is no anticipated significant impact on small businesses, micro-businesses or local or state employment as a result of implementing the section. There is no significant anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed amendments.

Ms. Galvin also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be greater clarity and transparency about complaint processing and sanctions at TALCB.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kerri T. Galvin, General Counsel, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188 or to general.counsel@talcb.texas.gov. The deadline for comments is 30 days after publication in the Texas Register.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §1103.151, which authorizes TALCB to adopt rules relating to certificates and licenses, and §1103.154, which authorizes TALCB to adopt rules relating to the professional conduct of a licensed or certified appraiser.

The statute affected by this amendment is Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1103. No other statute, code or article is affected by the proposed amendments.