The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts amendments to §365.1 which describe the categories and descriptions of the licenses and endorsements issued by the Board and the scope of work permitted under each license and endorsement without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 9, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 5542).

No comments were received regarding the proposed amendments.

The following is a restatement of the rule's factual basis: The proposed rule amendment is part of the Board's intent to comply with House Bill No. 1, 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1998-1999, Article IX, §167, and the Board's rule review plan, which require the Board to complete a review of Chapter 365 of the Board Rules by August 31, 2000. The proposed amendments to §365.1 do not change the scope of work that the current §365.1 allows under any license or endorsement, but further clarifies the existing requirements.

The amendments to §365.1(1) clarify that a Master Plumber may perform plumbing work and enter into contracts and agreements to perform plumbing work for the general public. Superfluous language that in this section is deleted, since it is already contained in other, more appropriate sections of the Board Rules.

The amendments to §365.1(2) simply replace the word "them" with "Master Plumbers" for clarity.

The amendments to §365.1(3) more correctly identify the name of the Medical Gas Piping Installation Endorsement and clarify exactly what medical gas piping includes.

The amendments to §365.1(4) mirror and further clarify the requirements of the Act regarding the prohibition of Plumbing Inspectors from having any financial or advisory interest in a plumbing company and define how a Plumbing Inspector shall verify his or her employment or agency for a political subdivision prior to performing plumbing inspections.

The amendments to §365.1(5) simply reword the section regarding the Water Supply Protection Specialist endorsement for grammatical correctness and clarity of the existing language.

The amendments to §365.1 are proposed under and affect Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated Article 6243-101 ("Act"), §5(a), (Vernon Supp. 2000), the rule it amends and House Bill No. 1, 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1998-1999, Article IX, §167 together with the Board's rule review plan. Section 5(a) of the Act authorizes, empowers and directs the Board to prescribe, amend and enforce all rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Act. House Bill No. 1, 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1998-1999, Article IX, §167 and the Board's rule review plan require the Board to complete a review of Chapter 365 of the Board Rules by August 31, 2000.

No other statute, article, or code is affected by this proposed rule change.