| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Positive | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Relating to the eligibility for certain occupational licenses and the use of a person's criminal history as grounds for certain actions related to the license.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1531 would prevent the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) from using a person's conviction of a felony or a crime that involves moral turpitude as grounds to refuse to admit a person to an examination or to issue a license to practice podiatry. The bill would also prohibit the TCLR or TDLR from disciplining a midwife, or refusing to renew or issue a license because of a conviction involving moral turpitude or a felony.
SB 1531 would also establish that a license of a licensed breeder is revoked by operation of law if, after the license is issued, the licensed breeder pleads guilty or nolo contendre to, is convicted of, or receives deferred adjudication for animal cruelty or neglect. Before revocation, TDLR would issue a notice to the breeder stating that the breeder may, not later than the 20th day after receipt of notice, submit to TDLR proof that the breeder did not plead guilty or nolo contendre to, was not convicted of, or did not receive deferred adjudication for animal cruelty or neglect.
Finally, SB 1531 would remove the requirement that an applicant for an electrician license demonstrate their honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. The bill also removes from the eligibility requirements for an auctioneer's license that an individual has not been convicted of a felony during the preceding five years.
Texas Action supports SB 1531 as it advances the principles of limited government, individual liberty and the free market. The bill would grant additional protections to persons who hold, or seek to hold, certain occupational regulations. This would help protect their right to full participation in the free market and ensure a fair process for the revocation of that right when applicable.