| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the authority of certain military spouses to engage in a business or occupation in this state.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1200 would authorize a military spouse to engage in a business or occupation for which a license is required without obtaining the applicable license, for no more than three years, if the spouse is currently licensed in another state. The issuing state must have licensing requirements that are substantially similar to the requirements in this state.
Texas Action is neutral on SB 1200 due to conflicting principles. Interstate occupational licensing promotes individual liberty to practice in the profession of one's choice as well as free market principles. However, only applying this exemption to military spouses instead of everyone would confer a benefit on a preferred class at the expense of everyone else. This bill seems to implicitly recognize that there is no cost to health and public safety by recognizing an out-of-state occupational license if the licensing requirements are substantially similar to the Texas requirements. Therefore, we suggest applying this exemption equally to all out-of-state licensees.
For those reasons, Texas Action remains neutral on this bill.