The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB or Board) proposes amendments to 22 TAC §153.3, The Board.

The TALCB Executive Committee recommends the proposed amendments to implement statutory changes to Chapter 1103, Occupations Code, enacted by the 86th Legislature in SB 624 as part of TALCB's Sunset Review process, requiring TALCB to develop a policy for allowing public comments at regular Board meetings. The proposed amendments to this section memorialize the existing policy for allowing public comments at regular Board meetings. Under the proposed amendments, a member of the public may comment on an agenda or non-agenda item at a regular quarterly meeting of the Board for up to 3 minutes. The proposed amendments also allow the Chair to extend this time at the Chair's discretion.

Kristen Worman, 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 units of local government as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendments. There is no adverse economic impact anticipated for local or state employment, rural communities, small businesses, or micro businesses as a result of implementing the proposed amendments. There is no significant economic cost anticipated for persons who are required to comply with the proposed amendments. Accordingly, no Economic Impact statement or Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required.

Ms. Worman has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments and rules are in effect the public benefits anticipated as a result of enforcing the proposed amendments will be increased transparency and better guidance and information for license holders and members of the public about TALCB's policy for public comments at regular quarterly Board meetings.

Growth Impact Statement:

For each year of the first five years the proposed amendments and rules are in effect the amendments and rules will not:

--create or eliminate a government program;

--require the creation of new employee positions or the elimination of existing employee positions;

--require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

--require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

--create a new regulation;

--expand, limit or repeal an existing regulation; and

--increase the number of individuals subject to the rule's applicability.

For each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, there is no anticipated impact on the state's economy as the proposed amendments would simply provide additional guidance to member of the public and license holders about the time allowed for public comments at regular Board meetings.

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

The amendments are proposed under SB 624 to implement Texas Occupations Code §1103.161, which takes effect on September 1, 2019, and requires TALCB to develop and implement policies that provide members of the public a reasonable opportunity to appear and speak on agenda items at a regular Board meeting.

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