Source: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/rulejust-2019-01.htm
Timestamp: 2020-02-27 05:57:45
Document Index: 684451762

Matched Legal Cases: ['§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§60', '§53', '§60', '§1', '§51', '§60', '§53', '§51', '§60', '§53', '§60', '§53', '§53', '§53', '§53', '§53', '§60', '§60']

16 TAC Chapter 60, amendments, Subchapter B, §60.23; Subchapter D, §60.40, and Subchapter I, §60.306; new rule Subchapter D, §60.36; and the repeal of Subchapter I, §60.302
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission) adopts amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 60, Subchapter B, §60.23; Subchapter D, §60.40, and Subchapter I, §60.306; new rule Subchapter D, §60.36; and the repeal of Subchapter I, §60.302, regarding the Procedural Rules of the Commission and the Department, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 25, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 6178).
The adopted rules implement House Bill (HB) 1342, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019). HB 1342 amends Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, to provide the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (Commission) and the Executive Director of the agency the authority to issue restricted licenses to persons within the Department’s Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Electricians programs. Further, HB 1342 amends Chapter 51 to state that a person whose license has been revoked for failure to pay an administrative penalty is eligible to reapply once the penalty has been paid in full, or the person is paying the administrative penalty under a payment plan with the Department and is in good standing with respect to that plan.
The adopted rules amend §60.23(b)(5) to better align the rule text with the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, relating to the consequences of criminal conviction. The adopted changes include a reference to deferred adjudication missing from the existing rule and replace the reference to offenses carrying the possibility of confinement in a state or federal facility with “an offense identified in Texas Occupations Code, §53.021.”
The adopted rules add new §60.36 (a) – (c) to implement HB 1342, §1, by stating that a person whose license has been revoked for failure to pay an administrative penalty may reapply once the person has either paid the penalty in full, or is paying the administrative penalty under a payment plan with the Department and is in good standing with respect to that plan. The adopted new subsection (c) provides a definition for “good standing” for purposes of the section.
Comment: One commenter stated opposition to the proposed rules, stating, “If a person is competent at his craft he would not need a restricted license. It is not fair to the journeymen and apprentices that have completed the training to become competent craftsmen and would be a liability to the TDLR I think in the long run.”
Department Response: The Department appreciates the comment, but believes it reflects a misunderstanding of the proposed rules’ intent. House Bill 1342 would not allow the Commission or Department to issue a restricted license to a person who does not possess the requisite skill, experience, and competence to hold an electrical or air conditioning and refrigeration license. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rules in response to this comment.
Comment: One commenter stated opposition to the proposed rules, claiming that “Up to this point most people think that a person with a license has been vetted by the state and may allow them to do work thinking they are trustworthy and free of criminal convictions.”
Department Response: The Department appreciates the comment, but believes it reflects a misunderstanding of the proposed rules’ intent. House Bill 1342 would not allow the Commission or Department to issue a restricted license to a person who does not meet the requirements for licensure in Texas. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rules in response to this comment.
Comment: One commenter stated opposition to the proposed rules, stating that they are “accommodation to the underachievers.”
Department Response: There are no application requirements for a restricted license. A person seeking a particular license, or renewal thereof, would apply in the regular fashion. In the event that the Commission or Executive Director saw fit to issue the person a restricted license instead of denying the application, the Commission or Executive Director would place reasonable restrictions on the license. The restrictions could, in theory, limit the scope or location of the license holder’s practice. See Texas Occupations Code §51.357. The Department did not make any changes to the proposed rules in response to this comment.
The adopted rules are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, which authorizes the Commission, the Department’s governing body, to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department.
§60.23. Commission and Executive Director--Imposing Sanctions and Penalties.
(a) The commission or executive director may sanction a license holder, applicant, or other person, if the person:
(1) obtains or attempts to obtain a license by fraud or false representation;
(2) falsifies any document submitted to the department or commission;
(3) refuses to permit inspection or interferes with an inspection or investigation by an authorized representative of the commission or department;
(4) permits the use or display of a license by a person not authorized by law to use that license;
(5) has been convicted of, or placed on deferred adjudication for, an offense identified in Texas Occupations Code, §53.021(a); or
(6) violates a law establishing a regulatory program administered by the department, or a rule or order of the commission or department.
(b) The commission or executive director may:
(2) revoke, suspend, or deny the person's license;
(3) place on probation a person whose license has been suspended or revoked;
(4) issue a restricted license to the person in accordance with Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, Subchapter G;
(5) refuse to renew the person's license; or
(6) impose administrative penalties against the person after considering the factors set forth in Texas Occupations Code, §51.302(b).
(c) If the suspension or revocation of a license is probated, the commission or executive director may require the person to:
(2) limit practice to the areas prescribed by the commission or executive director;
(3) complete professional education until the person attains a degree of skill satisfactory to the commission or executive director in those areas that are the basis for the probation; or
(4) complete any other remedial actions agreed to by the parties.
(d) If a person has outstanding administrative penalties, the department may place a hold on the person's license and the person may not renew the license until the administrative penalties are paid.
§60.36. License Eligibility After Denial or Revocation.
(a) Except as stated below or by other law, a person whose license is revoked by order of the commission or the executive director must wait one year from the date of revocation before applying for a new license.
(b) A person whose license has been revoked solely because of a failure to pay an administrative penalty may reapply at any time if the person either:
(1) has paid the administrative penalty in full; or
(2) is paying the administrative penalty under a payment plan with the department and is in good standing with respect to that plan.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person is in good standing with respect to a payment plan if, at the time of application, the person is current on the payment plan and has made timely payments on the plan for the preceding two months.
(d) A person whose license is revoked by operation of law pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, §53.021(b) must wait until release from imprisonment before applying for a new license.
(e) A person whose application for licensure as a health care professional has been denied, or whose license as a health care professional has been revoked, pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 108, Subchapter B, may reapply or seek reinstatement as provided by that subchapter.
§60.40. License Eligibility for Persons with Criminal Convictions.
(a) Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53 provides that the commission or executive director may suspend or revoke an existing license, disqualify a person from receiving a license, or deny a person the opportunity to be examined for a license if the person has been convicted of an offense listed under §53.021(a) or has a deferred adjudication that qualifies as a conviction under §53.021(d). Any such action shall be made after consideration of the factors listed in Texas Occupations Code, §53.022 and §53.023 and the guidelines issued by the department under §53.025.
(b) A person who is incarcerated because of a felony conviction is not eligible to obtain a license or renew a previously issued license under this chapter or any statute governing a program regulated by the department.
§60.306. Request for Hearing and Defaults.
(a) If, within twenty days after receiving a Notice of Alleged Violation or notice of continuation of restrictions on a license, the respondent fails to accept the department's determination and recommended administrative penalty, sanction, or both, or fails to make a written request for a hearing on the determination, the department may propose entry of a default order against the respondent unless otherwise provided by applicable law. There is a rebuttable presumption that notice is received three days after the notice was mailed.
(b) If a respondent fails to answer to the Notice of Alleged Violation or notice of continuation of restrictions on a license, the department may present to the commission or the executive director a motion for default order along with a proposed default order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law. Respondents will be notified as to the time and place the motion for default order will be considered. If a respondent attends at the time and place prescribed in the notice, an administrative hearing may be set.
(c) After receiving a notice proposing denial of an application or a notice proposing denial of an opportunity to take an examination, an applicant may request a hearing in writing within twenty days of receipt of the notice or forfeit the right to a hearing unless otherwise provided by applicable law. There is a rebuttable presumption that notice is received three days after the notice was mailed.
(d) Any document served upon a party is prima facie evidence of receipt if it is directed to the party's last known complete, correct address as shown by the department's records. This presumption is rebuttable. Failure to claim properly addressed certified or registered mail will not support a finding of non-delivery.
[ §60.302. Notice of alleged violation. ]
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on January 10, 2020.