TITLE examining-boards

Part V. State Board of Dental Examiners

Chapter 115. Extension of Duties of Auxiliary Personnel Dental Hygiene

22 TAC §115.20

The State Board of Dental Examiners adopts an amendment to §115.20 with changes to the proposed text as published in the April 16, 1999 issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3016).

The proposed amendment to the rule are intended to more closely track the provisions of Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Anno, article 4551e, Section 4A (Vernon Supp., 1999). Further, as proposed, subsection (d) of the rule was intended to establish a four year life for the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee (DHAC) under the provisions of Texas Government Code §2110 (Vernon Supp., 1999). The change from the published language is the deletion of subsection (d).

The amended §115.20 as originally published in the Texas Register provided the purpose of DHAC , that the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) will evaluate the committee annually, that the members should select a chair who is to report to the board on committee activities, and provided for continued existence of the committee until September 1, 2003.

Subsections (a) (b) and (c) are adopted as proposed. Subsection (d) is deleted. An amendment to the Dental Practice Act, Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Anno, Article 4543 et seq. (Vernon Supp., 1999) set forth in Senate Bill 964, which is currently before the Governor, provides that DHAC is subject to Texas Government Code §325 (Vernon Supp., 1999), the Sunset Act. It also provides that DHAC is abolished on September 1, 2005 unless it is continued in existence under the Sunset Act.

Thus, the rule as proposed conflicts with the amendment. Since the specifics of DHAC's duration and of how it may continue are in the Dental Practice Act, subsection (d) is not appropriately included in the rule.

There was one comment letter from the Texas Dental Hygienists' Association (TDHA) requesting three changes to the published rule.

The first request was that subsection (d) be amended to provide that DHAC should continue in existence until the SBDE is abolished. Since the Legislature has spoken on this issue, the Board cannot adopt rules contrary to the Dental Practice Act. The continuation of DHAC is controlled by the Sunset Act. For these reasons, the first suggestion of TDHA is not approved.

The second request was that a new subsection (e) be provided. That section would require the SBDE to provide to Committee members copies of all communications or information coming to the Board that relate to dental hygiene. Further, the Board would be required to provide each Committee member with an agenda for all Board and Board Committee meetings. Lastly, it would require that copies of information relating to dental hygiene that is made available to Board members be provided to each Committee member.

The amount of information or communications relating to dental hygiene that comes to the Board is voluminous. As requested the rule would require Board staff to review all magazines and publications concerning dentistry to be reviewed for content. Further, it would require that Committee members be provided with copies of investigative files, which are confidential pursuant to Article 4550, §2. The Board makes significant effort to ensure that DHAC members have copies of information concerning dental hygiene matters that may or will come before this Board.

The Board follows a policy of providing the DHAC chair with copies of agendas for all Board and Board Committee meetings, along with any information provided to Board members. The TDHA is requesting establishment of a procedure that is already in place, with one exception. Currently, only the DHAC chair is provided with this information, while the request would result in all members receiving a copy directly from the Board. It is the Board's intent that Committee members have copies of the information and it looks to the chair to see that copies are provided to them. Thus the addition of subsection (e) would accomplish no purpose.

The third request was for a new subsection (f) which would make all DHAC members ex officio members of all Board committees. All committee meetings are posted and are open meetings that may be attended by the public. Even though the chair can refuse to allow participation in discussion by the public, as a practical matter comment is always allowed if the commenter has an interest in the subject under discussion. Further, since the committees are Board committees, all of which are made up of Board members, appointment of ex officio members who are not Board members is inappropriate; such power for DHAC is not provided for by Article 4551e at §4A. Further, as members of the committee, albeit ex officio, all DHAC members would be expected to attend all Board committee meetings. Travel costs for six additional persons would devastate the agency's travel budget at a time when the Legislature has imposed a travel cap for each fiscal year for the agency. In fact from the date this rule is adopted until August 31, 2001, there are no funds for such travel costs. Board committee recommendations are reviewed by the Board in open meeting where the subject matter to be discussed is published, and the DHAC chair can be allowed input during the Board discussions. For the reasons set forth, the Board declines to add subsection (f).

The amended rule is adopted under Texas Government Code 2001.021 et seq.; Texas Civil Statutes and article 4551d which provides the State Board of Dental Examiners with the authority to adopt and promulgate rules as may be necessary to ensure compliance with laws relating to the practice of dentistry, and article 4551e, §4A which establishes the Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee.

§115.20.Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee--Purpose and Composition.

(a)

The Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee is established pursuant to Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4551e, §4A, for the purpose of advising the Board on matters relating to dental hygiene.

(b)

The Board shall annually evaluate the Committee's work, its usefulness, and the costs related to the Committee's work to include agency staff time in support of the Committee's activities. Reimbursement of costs shall be determined as set out in the General Appropriations Act and under Article 4551e, §4A.

(c)

The Committee shall elect from among its members a presiding officer who shall serve for one year and who shall report to the Board on Committee activities as may be required, but no less often than annually.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 10, 1999.

TRD-9903439

Jeffry R. Hill

Executive Director

State Board of Dental Examiners

Effective date: June 30, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 16, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6400


Part XXIII. Texas Real Estate Commission

Chapter 535. Provisions of the Real Estate License Act

Subchapter A. General Provisions Relating to the Requirement of Licensure

22 TAC §§535.1-535.3

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts an amendment to §535.1, concerning when a real estate license is required, with changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3287). Amendments to §535.2, concerning the broker's responsibility, and §535.3, concerning compensation accepted by a salesperson, are adopted without changes to the proposed text and will not be republished.

The amendment to §535.1 clarifies that Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, (the Act) applies to those persons acting as real estate brokers or salespersons within the state. On final adoption, the commission determined that Texas consumers should be protected when engaging in real estate transactions from this state by means of the Internet, telephone, mail, e-mail or other electronic medium and revised §535.1 to reflect that position. As modified, the section provides that a person conducting brokerage business from another state by means of the specified media would be considered acting within Texas and would be subject to the Act. Several subsections also were deleted as unnecessary since the issues they concern are either addressed elsewhere in TREC's rules or in the Act. The section also was revised to combine a number of subsections which describe activities for which a license is not required, such as the performance of secretarial or clerical functions. A general definition of the terms "property" and "real property" was added to clarify the meaning of the terms used in TREC's rules.

The amendment to §535.2 eliminated unnecessary provisions addressing matters not within the jurisdiction of the commission, combined other provisions relating to the responsibility of the broker and restated other provisions in clearer language. The amendment to §535.3 broadened the scope of that section to address payment of compensation by salespersons as well as compensation paid to salespersons.

These actions are necessary to ensure the protection of Texas consumers when engaging in real estate transactions, whether conducted entirely in Texas, or conducted by persons acting as real estate brokers from other states. By applying the Act to persons conducting brokerage business from another state with a Texas consumer, TREC is acting to ensure that the real estate needs of Texas consumers will be served by persons who have met the standards for real estate brokers required under Texas law. These actions also are necessary to continue the process of keeping TREC's rules current and concise.

No comments were received regarding the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

§535.1.License Required.

(a)

Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a (the Act) applies to persons acting as real estate brokers or salespersons within this state, regardless of the location of the real estate involved or the residence of the person's customers or clients. For the purposes of the Act, conducting brokerage business from another state by mail, telephone, the Internet, e-mail or other electronic medium is considered acting within this state.

(b)

Unless otherwise exempted by the Act, a person must be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson to show a broker's listings, solicit listings of real property perform any act defined as that of a real estate broker by the Act. An unlicensed person may be hired by a broker to act as a host or hostess at a property being offered for sale by the broker, provided the unlicensed person engages in no activity for which a license is required.

(c)

The employees, agents or associates of a licensed broker, including a corporation or limited liability company licensed as a broker, must be licensed as real estate brokers or salespersons if they direct or supervise other persons in the performance of acts for which a license is required. A license is not required for the performance of secretarial, clerical, or administrative tasks, such as training personnel, performing duties generally associated with office administration and personnel matters. Unlicensed employees, agents, or associates may not solicit business for the broker or hold themselves out as authorized to act as real estate brokers or salespersons.

(d)

As used in this chapter, the terms "property" and "real property" have the same meaning as "real estate" as that term is defined in the Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903454

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


22 TAC §535.4

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts the repeal of §535.4, concerning compensation paid by a salesperson, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3288).

As part of TREC's review of Chapter 535 of the Texas Administrative Code, the provisions in §535.4 have been moved to §535.3 in connection with an amendment to that section.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The repeal is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903455

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


Subchapter B. Definitions

22 TAC §§535.11, 535.14, 535.18

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts the repeal of §535.11, concerning the definition of real estate, §535.14, concerning offers to dispose of real estate, and §535.18, concerning auctions, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3289).

Adoption of the repeals is necessary to shorten TREC's rules by eliminating unnecessary restatements of the agency's enabling legislation, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a or sections which duplicate the content of other sections.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The repeals are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903456

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


22 TAC §§535.12, 535.13, 535.15-535.17, 535.21

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts an amendment to §535.17, concerning appraisals, with changes to proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3289). The proposed amendments to §535.12, concerning general definitions, §535.13, concerning dispositions of real estate, §535.15, concerning negotiations, §535.16, concerning listings and §535.21, concerning unimproved lot sales and listing publications are adopted without changes and will not be republished.

The amendment to §535.12 deletes subsections which are unnecessary because they merely restate the general definition of "real estate broker" contained in Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, (the Act) or address issues which may be resolved by referring directly to the Act. The remaining language was revised to make it easier to read.

The amendment to §535.13 combines several subsections to clarify the activities for which a person is required to be licensed and updates the section to make it consistent with recent Attorney General Letter Opinion Number 98-119, which permits unlicensed employees of corporations and other business entities to act for their employers. The amendment also clarifies that a entity may be considered to be an owner if the entity either holds record title to the property or has an equitable title or right acquired by contract with the record title holder and that a corporation or limited liability company is required to be licensed as a real estate broker if it or its employee receives or expects to receive a valuable consideration from the record title holder for negotiating a sale or other disposition of the property.

The amendment to §535.15 deletes provisions concerning activities which may be performed by a broker's employees. The deleted provisions have been combined and moved to §535.1 in connection with an amendment to that section.

The amendment to §535.16 rewrites the section for clarity and deletes unnecessary provisions which merely restate the law. A definition of the term "net listing" was added to make the section easier to understand.

The amendment to §535.17 rewrites and shortens the section for clarity and deletes subsections which merely restate the law or which address issues which may be resolved by referring to the Act.

The Texas Association of Realtors commented that the proposed amendment to §535.17 made a substantive change that may not have been intended, in that deletion of the phrase "for a separate fee" would effectively extend the disclosure requirements imposed by the section to every opinion of value and market analysis prepared by a broker, when the section had been originally intended to address only an opinion of value or analysis for which a separate fee was being charged.

The commission agreed and modified the language on final adoption to require the disclosure only when a separate fee is being charged.

The amendment to §535.21 rewrites the section for clarity and to eliminate provisions which are repetitive.

Adoption of the amendments is necessary to complete the process of reviewing TREC's rules and making them current and usable by the public.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

§535.17.Appraisals.

(a)

A salesperson may make, sign, and present real estate appraisals for the salesperson's sponsoring broker, but the salesperson must submit appraisals in the broker's name and the broker is responsible for the appraisals.

(b)

Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a (the Act) does not apply to appraisals performed by the employees of a financial institution or investment firm in connection with a contemplated loan or investment by their employers.

(c)

Except as provided by this section, appraisals of real property performed in this state by Texas real estate licensees must be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation in effect at the time the appraisal is performed. If a real estate licensee, for a separate fee, provides an opinion of value or comparative market analysis which does not conform with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation, the licensee shall also provide the person for whom the opinion or analysis is prepared with a written statement containing the following language: "THIS IS AN OPINION OF VALUE OR COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AN APPRAISAL. In making any decision that relies upon my work, you should know that I have not followed the guidelines for development of an appraisal or analysis contained in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation."

(d)

The statement required by subsection (c) of this section must be made part of any written opinion or analysis report and must be reproduced verbatim.

(e)

The exception allowed by subsection (c) of this section does not apply to a transaction in which the Resolution Trust Corporation or a federal financial institutions regulatory agency has required compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903457

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


Subchapter C. Exemptions to Requirement of Licensure

22 TAC §§535.31-535.35

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.31, concerning exempt attorneys at law, §535.32, concerning exempt attorneys in fact, §535.33, concerning exempt public officials, §535.34, concerning exempt salespersons employed by an owner, and §535.35, concerning exempt employees renting or leasing their employer's real estate, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3292). The text will not be republished. Adoption of the amendments is necessary to complete the review of TREC's rules, reducing their volume wherever possible and making them easier for the public to use.

The amendment to §535.31 restates the exemption for licensed attorneys and combines several subsections to make the section easier to read. Provisions relating to the attorney's client and non-client relationships, State Bar of Texas rules and membership in trade associations have been deleted as unnecessary. The amendment to §535.32 makes the section concerning the exemption for attorneys-in-fact easier to read. The amendment to §535.33 restates the exemption for public officials and deletes subsections which merely provide examples of public officials exempt from the requirement of holding a license or registration issued by TREC. The amendment to §535.34 deletes unnecessary provisions which merely provide examples of relationships between a builder and other persons who are not entitled to claim an exemption from licensing requirements. The amendment to §535.35 makes nonsubstantive changes and deletes a subsection that merely repeats the statutory exemption for employees renting or leasing their employer's real estate.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903458

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


Subchapter D. The Commission

22 TAC §535.41, §535.42

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.41, concerning procedures for meetings of the members of the commission, and §535.42, concerning TREC's jurisdiction and authority, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 3293). The text will not be republished. Adoption of the amendments is necessary to complete the review of TREC's rules, reducing their volume wherever possible and making them easier for the public to use.

The amendment to §535.41 makes the section easier to read and consistent in style with TREC's other rules. The amendment to §535.42 deletes unnecessary language, combines provisions and clarifies the authority of the staff administrative law judge to order issuance of a probationary license.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903459

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900


Subchapter E. Requirements for Licensure

22 TAC §§535.51-535.53

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.51, concerning general requirements for a real estate license, §535.52, concerning individual applicants, and §535.53, concerning applications by corporations and limited liability companies, without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 30, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24TexReg 3294). The text will not be republished. Adoption of the amendments is necessary to complete the review of TREC's rules, reducing their volume wherever possible and making them easier for the public to use.

The amendment to §535.51 clarifies that applicants must file the application for a license on the form adopted by the commission for that purpose and that applications will be returned to the applicant if requisite education or experience requirements have not been satisfied. The amendment to §535.52 generally restates TREC's statutory authority to disapprove an application at any time prior to the issuance of a license if the applicant fails to satisfy TREC as to the person's honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. The amendment to §535.53 combines and shortens the provisions relating to the licensing of corporations and limited liability companies. A provision relating to the authority of an unlicensed corporate officer was deleted in §535.53, because that subject is being addressed in an amendment to §535.13.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorize the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 11, 1999.

TRD-9903460

Mark A. Moseley

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Effective date: July 1, 1999

Proposal publication date: April 30, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900