The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.216, Renewal of License, in Subchapter R of Chapter 535, General Provisions, as published in the December 13, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 7599). The rule will not be republished.

The amendments implement statutory changes enacted by the 86th Legislature in SB 37 eliminating consideration of student loan defaults when deciding whether to grant an occupational license and SB 624 authorizing the Commission to deny license renewal if a license holder is in violation of a Commission order.

The amendments also reorganize this section to improve readability and increase transparency for license holders and members of the public. The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee recommends these amendments.

Two comments were received. One commenter agreed with the proposed rule and one commenter disagreed but provided no reason for the disagreement. As such, the Commission declined to make any changes.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code §1101.151, which authorizes the Texas Real Estate Commission to adopt and enforce rules necessary to administer Chapters 1101 and 1102; and to establish standards of conduct and ethics for its license holders to fulfill the purposes of Chapters 1101 and 1102.