TITLE: Relating to the eligibility requirements for occupational licenses issued to applicants with military experience and to military spouses.

SUMMARY: Relating to the eligibility requirements for occupational licenses issued to applicants with military experience and to military spouses.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the eligibility requirements for occupational licenses issued to applicants with military experience and to military spouses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 51.4013 to read as follows: Sec. 51.4013. LICENSE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall credit verified military service, training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other than examination requirements, for a license issued by the department. (b) The department shall expedite the issuance of a temporary license or a license by endorsement or reciprocity to an applicant who: (1) has verified military experience; and (2) holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially equivalent to the license requirements of this state. (c) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 55. LICENSE FOR [WHILE ON] MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER OR [DUTY AND FOR] MILITARY SPOUSE SECTION 3. Section 55.004, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) A state agency shall adopt rules to expedite the issuance of a temporary license or a license by endorsement or reciprocity to an applicant who: (1) is the spouse of a person serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States; and (2) holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially equivalent to the license requirements of this state. SECTION 4. Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 55.005 to read as follows: Sec. 55.005. LICENSE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency shall credit verified military service, training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other than examination requirements, for a license issued by the state agency. (b) The state agency shall expedite the issuance of a temporary license or a license by endorsement or reciprocity to an applicant who: (1) has verified military experience; and (2) holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially equivalent to the license requirements of this state. (c) The state agency shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section. SECTION 5. (a) Sections 51.4013, 55.004(d), and 55.005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, apply only to an application for an occupational license filed on or after May 1, 2014. An application for a license filed before May 1, 2014, is governed by the law in effect on the date the application was filed, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. (b) The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt rules under Section 51.4013, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, and a state agency shall adopt rules under Sections 55.004(d) and 55.005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 1, 2014. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.