Bill: HB 636, 87(R) - 2021

Committee

House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

2nd Chamber Committee

Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Negative Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Senfronia Thompson
Charlie Geren
Ana Hernandez
Stan Lambert
Chris Paddie

Co-Author(s)

Alma A. Allen
Rafael Anchia
Charles Anderson
Trent Ashby
Michelle Beckley
Angie Chen Button
Elizabeth "Liz" Campos
Terry Canales
Travis Clardy
Philip Cortez
John Cyrier
Art Fierro
Jessica Gonzalez
Mary Gonzalez
Vikki Goodwin
Abel Herrero
Gina Hinojosa
Justin Holland
Celia Israel
Ann Johnson
Kyle Kacal
Ray Lopez
Theresa Meza
Christina Morales
Andrew Murr
Claudia Ordaz perez
Ron Reynolds
Glenn Rogers
Ramon Romero Jr.
Toni Rose
Jon E. Rosenthal
Carl Sherman
Lynn Stucky
Ed Thompson
James White

Sponsor(s)

John Whitmire

Co-Sponsor(s)

Carol Alvarado
Jose Menendez

Bill Caption

Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners; authorizing a fee.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 636 extends the Sunset provision for The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners until 2027.

HB 636 would remove the requirement that responsible master plumbers must complete an additional training program set forth by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners before being certified as responsible master plumbers and would allow the board to employ or contract with plumbing examiners to administer the practical portion of a training program when such a program is required for the issuance of a license. The board would set the requirements for the test which may be administered online or in person. 

HB 636 would also give the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners authority to assign priority and processes for conducting on-site license checks based on perceived risk to public health, safety, or property, and provide public access to information relating to disciplinary action, such as name of party, nature of complaint, and disciplinary action taken. 

HB 636 would require applicants to submit to an FBI fingerprint and criminal history background check prior to obtaining a plumbing license. 

HB 636 would set criteria for allowing temporary licenses to be issued and would remove the requirement that only licensed plumbers be allowed to install medical gas piping and residential fire sprinklers and no would longer require an endorsement for water supply protection specialist. 

A person who performs plumbing without holding a valid permit or license would be subject to disciplinary action by the Board. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes HB 636 because it violates our principles of free markets and limited government. Several aspects of this bill further the barrier to entry in the plumbing profession by unduly burdening those wanting to perform a service with unnecessary training requirements and financial burdens through annual license fees. Also, publicly posting an individual's name and disciplinary action history, with no option to rectify a complaint allegation offered to the plumber, violates individual privacy. For these reasons, Texas Action opposes HB 636.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 01:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/87r/hb636?print_view=true