TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 4. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

Chapter 62. CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES

16 TAC §62.80

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ("Department") adopts amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, §62.80 regarding the career counseling services program as published in the November 26, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 10859), without changes, and will not be republished.

The amendments lower the original and renewal certificate of authority fee from $2,000 to $1,250. Texas Occupations Code, §51.202 requires the Department to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering programs under its jurisdiction. The Department conducted its annual fee review pursuant to §51.202 and recommended to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation ("Commission") that the referenced fees be reduced as indicated. The revenue generated by current fees exceeds the amount required by the Department to cover costs of administering the career counseling services program. On August 9, 2004, the Commission directed the Department to initiate the recommended fee reductions.

The Department drafted and distributed the proposed rules to persons internal and external to the agency. No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2502 and Chapter 51, §§51.201, 51.202, and 51.203 which authorizes the Department to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department and which requires the Commission to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering Department programs.

The statutory provisions affected by the adoption are those set forth in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 2502 and Chapter 51. No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the adoption.

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 February 9, 2005.

TRD-200500592

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Effective date: March 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: November 26, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7348


Chapter 73. ELECTRICIANS

16 TAC §73.51, §73.52

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ("Department") adopts amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, §73.51 and §73.52 concerning information required to be included on electrical contractor and electrical sign contractor proposals, invoices, and contracts, with changes, as published in the October 1, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 9323).

The amendment adds a subsection (c) to each rule to require licensees to include on contracts, proposals, and invoices a statement that the department regulates the business and the contact information. The amendments are necessary to comply with the requirement of Texas Occupations Code, §51.252(a), which requires the Executive Director to establish methods by which consumers and service recipients are notified of complaint filing information.

The Department drafted and distributed the proposed rules to persons internal and external to the agency. Several comments were received in opposition to the proposed changes.

One commenter objected to the rule amendments on the basis that such rules invite complaints. The commenter questioned whether the purpose of the rules is to allow the Department to "collect the $500 for a complaint." Another commenter, who chose to withhold his name, indicated that he did not intend to comply with the rules and suggested that the Department provide a stamp or similar device to each contractor to use for compliance. The Department does not recommend any change on the basis of these comments. The purpose of the rule is to comply with the statutory requirement of Texas Occupations Code, §51.252(a), which requires the Executive Director to establish methods by which consumers and service recipients are notified of complaint filing information.

A third commenter noted that his company is an electrical subcontractor that contracts with various general contractors who provide the contract documents to the commenter. The commenter noted that it would be presumptuous on his part to add statements required by the rules to a contract that does not belong to him. The commenter also asked whether a sign posted in the business office would meet the requirements. The Commission agrees that the point concerning contracts offered by general contractors is well taken and the rules as adopted are amended to require that the notice language be placed on contracts generated by a licensee. The language of the rule does not provide for compliance by posting a sign. Language was amended at subsection (c) to read: "The electrical contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts proposed by the contractor."

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305 and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, which authorizes the Department to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department and provides that the Department shall require the notice provided for.

The statutory provisions affected by the adoption are those set forth in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305 and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51. No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the adoption.

§73.51.Electrical Contractors’ Responsibilities.

(a) A licensed electrical contractor shall display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches in height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters "TECL".

(b) All of a contractor’s non-exempt electrical work shall be performed by licensed individuals. A contractor is responsible for compliance with applicable codes for all such electrical work it performs.

(c) The electrical contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts proposed by the contractor. The following information: "Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P. O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints" shall be listed on invoices and written contracts.

§73.52.Electrical Sign Contractors’ Responsibilities.

(a) A licensed electrical sign contractor shall display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical sign work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches in height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters "TSCL".

(b) All of a contractor’s non-exempt electrical sign work shall be performed by licensed individuals. A contractor is responsible for compliance with applicable codes for all such electrical sign work it performs.

(c) The electrical sign contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts proposed by the contractor. The following information: "Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P. O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints" shall be listed on invoices and written contracts.

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 February 9, 2005.

TRD-200500593

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Effective date: March 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: October 1, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7348


16 TAC §73.80

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ("Department") adopts amendments to 16 Texas Administrative Code §73.80, concerning electrician and sign electrician application and renewal fees and revised or duplicate license fees for electrical apprentices as published in the November 26, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 10860), without changes, and will not be republished.

The amendment lowers the application and renewal license fees for master electricians and master sign electricians from $75 to $65 and for journeyman electricians and journeyman sign electricians from $50 to $40. Language is also added to clarify that the fee for the issuance of a revised or duplicate license is $25 with the exception of a revised or duplicate license fee of $15 for an electrical apprentice. Texas Occupations Code, §51.202 requires the Department to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering programs under its jurisdiction. The Department conducted its annual fee review pursuant to §51.202 and recommended to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation ("Commission") that the referenced fees be reduced as indicated. The revenue generated by current fees exceeds the amount required by the Department to cover costs of administering the electricians program. On August 9, 2004, the Commission directed the Department to initiate the recommended fee reductions.

The Department drafted and distributed the proposed amendments to persons internal and external to the agency. One comment was received regarding the proposal. The commenter did not propose any changes or objections to the rule. His comment concerned his history as an electrician. No changes are made.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305 which establishes a program to regulate electricians and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, §§51.201, 51.202, and 51.203 which authorizes the Department to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department and which requires the Commission to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering the Department programs.

The statutory provisions effected by the adoption are those set forth in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305 and Chapter 51. No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the adoption.

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 February 9, 2005.

TRD-200500594

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Effective date: March 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: November 26, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7348


Chapter 77. SERVICE CONTRACT PROVIDERS

16 TAC §77.80

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ("Department") adopts amendments to 16 Texas Administrative Code §77.80, regarding the service contract providers program as published in the November 26, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 10861), without changes, and will not be republished.

The amendments to §77.80 lower the registration fees for 0 - 250 contracts from $750 to $250; for 251 - 499 contracts from $1,400 to $500; and for 500 or more contracts from $1,900 to $1,000. Texas Occupations Code, §51.202 requires the Department to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering programs under its jurisdiction. The Department conducted its annual fee review pursuant to §51.202 and recommended to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation ("Commission") that the referenced fees be reduced as indicated. The revenue generated by current fees exceeds the amount required by the Department to cover costs of administering the service contract providers program. On August 9, 2004, the Commission directed the Department to initiate the recommended fee reductions.

The Department drafted and distributed the proposed amendments to persons internal and external to the agency. No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1304 and Chapter 51, §§51.201, 51.202, and 51.203 which authorizes the Department to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any other law establishing a program regulated by the Department and which requires the Commission to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering Department programs.

The statutory provisions affected by the adoption are those set forth in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1304 and 51. No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the adoption.

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 February 9, 2005.

TRD-200500595

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Effective date: March 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: November 26, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7348