The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (Board) adopts new 22 Texas Administrative Code §365.5, relating to Renewal of License, Registration or Endorsement. New 22 TAC §365.5 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the August 6, 2021, issue of the Texas Register (46 TexReg 4819). The rule will not be republished.

Reasoned Justification:

Amendments to Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code passed by the 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021), specifically section 18 of House Bill (HB) 363, which changed the three year renewal cycle for endorsements to one year to coincide with the renewal of the underlying license make this new rule necessary.

How the Rule will function:

The new rule will function to implement section 1301.401 of the Texas Occupations Code.

Summary of Comments:

Staff received no comments on the proposed new rule.

Statutory Authority:

This new rule is adopted under the authority of §1301.251(2) of the Occupations Code, which requires the Board to adopt and enforce rules necessary to administer and enforce Chapter 1301 of the Occupations Code (Plumbing License Law). This amendment is also adopted under the authority of: (1) §1301.401(a), which mandates an annual renewal for licenses, registrations and now endorsements; (2) §1301.253, which authorizes the Board to assess fees; and (3) §1301.404, which authorizes the Board to require continuing education.

This new rule affects the Plumbing License Law. No other statute is affected.