Bill Caption

Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to determine applicant eligibility for a license.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact to the State or local governments is expected. 

Bill Analysis

HB 3742 seeks to amend the current Occupations Code to allow the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to allow TDLR to consider an individual's education, training, experience, and military service in evaluating a person's eligibility for alternative means of obtaining an occupational license.

HB 3742 would allow the executive director the commission's authority may waive any prerequisite for obtaining a license if the applicant currently holds a similar license issued by another jurisdiction that has requirements for the license that are substantially equivalent to those of Texas or has a reciprocity agreement with Texas for the license. 

The provisions of Section 51.404 of the Occupations Code, which is repealed under HB 3742, are kept but split up in the language of HB 3742.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 3742 seeks to allow the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation greater leeway in considering the eligibility of individuals pursuing alternative means of obtaining a license issued by TDLR. Expanding the criteria in which TDLR evaluates individuals holding similar licenses to waive the need for a license from TDLR is a small step in the right direction of freeing Texans from the burdens of occupational licensing. Under HB 3742, Texans will be rewarded for their previous market experience and training in evaluating the waiver of TDLR licensing requirements.