The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) proposes amendments to 22 TAC §159.52, Fees.

The proposed amendments eliminate certain fees to license holders to implement statutory changes enacted by the 86th Legislature in SB 624 as part of TALCB's Sunset Review process and management directives from the Sunset Advisory Commission to limit fund growth and provide straightforward fee setting for license holders. The proposed amendments also implement a fee for untimely payment of AMC National Registry Fees to support collection and enforcement of AMC National Registry fees as required under federal law and conform the language in this section regarding deposit of the AMC Registry Fees to the language in Chapter 1104, Occupations Code. The proposed amendments also clarify the consequences for providing a dishonored form of payment.

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 improved transparency, reduced costs to license holders, and clarity for license holders regarding the consequences for untimely payment of AMC National Registry Fees and the processes to address dishonored payments.

Growth Impact Statement:

For each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect the amendments 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;

--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, the amendments will, however, decrease the required fees paid to the agency.

For each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, there is no anticipated impact on the state's economy.

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 Texas Occupations Code §§1104.051 and 1104.052, which authorize TALCB to adopt rules necessary to administer Chapter 1104, Texas Occupations Code, and to establish sufficient fees for the administration of Chapter 1104, Occupations Code.

The statute affected by these proposed amendments is Chapter 1104, Texas Occupations Code. No other statute, code, or article is affected by the proposed amendments.