TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 10. TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICE COMMISSION

Chapter 203. LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT--SPECIFIC SUBSTANTIVE RULES

22 TAC §203.27

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Funeral Service Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Funeral Service Commission proposes the repeal of §203.27, concerning Sponsors of Provisional Licensees.

O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director, Texas Funeral Service Commission, has determined that for the first five-year period this repeal is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.

Mr. Robbins has also determined that the public benefit is that the repeal of this section will get rid of an obsolete rule. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed repeal.

Comments on the repeal may be submitted to O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director, Texas Funeral Service Commission, 510 South Congress Avenue, Suite 206, Austin, Texas 78704, telephone: (512) 936-2474 or 1-888-667-4881. Comments may also be submitted electronically to crob@tfsc.state.tx.us or faxed to (512) 479-5064.

The repeal is proposed under §651.152 of the Texas Occupation Code, as amended by Section 18 of House Bill 3516, 76th Legislature which authorizes the Commission to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effect the provisions of this Section.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposed repeal.

§203.27.Sponsors of Provisional Licensees.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 26, 2001.

TRD-200104326

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 9, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 936-2474


Part 16. TEXAS BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 322. PRACTICE

22 TAC §322.1

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners proposes an amendment to §322.1, concerning Provision of Services. The amendment will allow physical therapists to accept referrals for treatment from physicians and other authorized healthcare practitioners who are licensed only in a country outside the United States.

John P. Maline, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no effect on state or local government.

Mr. Maline also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be easier access to healthcare, as those who have referrals from physicians outside of the U.S. will be able to seek physical therapy treatment in the state. There will be no effect on small business, and no economic cost to persons having to comply is anticipated.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Nina Hurter, PT Coordinator, Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas 78701; email: nhurter@mail.capnet.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under the Physical Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 453, Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

§322.1.Provision of Services.

(a) Initiation of physical therapy services

(1) Referral requirement. A physical therapist is subject to discipline from the board for providing physical therapy treatment without a referral from a qualified healthcare practitioner licensed by the appropriate [ state ] licensing board [ in any of the United States or its territories, or the District of Columbia ], who within the scope of the professional licensure is authorized to prescribe treatment of individuals. The list of qualifying referral sources includes physicians, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants, and advanced nurse practitioners.

(2) - (3) (No change.)

(b) - (e) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 26, 2001.

TRD-200104330

John P. Maline

Executive Director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy Examiners

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 9, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Part 22. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY

Chapter 519. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

22 TAC §519.7

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (Board) proposes an amendment to §519.7 concerning Administrative Penalties.

The amendment to §519.7 will clarify that the Board may impose an administrative penalty alone or in addition to other sanctions.

William Treacy, Executive Director of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendment will be in effect:

A. the additional estimated cost to the state expected as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require anyone to do or not do anything.

B. the estimated reduction in costs to the state and to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require anyone to do or not do anything.

C. the estimated loss or increase in revenue to the state as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require anyone to do or not do anything.

Mr. Treacy has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect the public benefits expected as a result of adoption of the proposed amendment will be that the Board will be able to impose administrative penalties when appropriate.

The probable economic cost to persons required to comply with the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require anyone to do or not do anything.

Mr. Treacy has determined that a Local Employment Impact Statement is not required because the proposed amendment will not affect a local economy.

The Board requests comments on the substance and effect of the proposed amendment from any interested person. Comments must be received at the Board no later than noon on Wednesday August 29, 2001. Comments should be addressed to Amanda G. Birrell, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 333 Guadalupe, Tower III, Suite 900, Austin, Texas 78701 or faxed to her attention at (512) 305-7854.

Mr. Treacy has determined that the proposed amendment will not have an adverse economic effect on small businesses because the proposed amendment does not require anyone to do or not do anything.

The Board specifically invites comments from the public on the issues of whether or not the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small business; if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, then how may the Board legally and feasibly reduce that effect considering the purpose of the statute under which the amendment is to be adopted; and if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, how the cost of compliance for a small business compares with the cost of compliance for the largest business affected by the amendment under any of the following standards: (a) cost per employee; (b) cost for each hour of labor; or (c) cost for each $100 of sales. See Texas Government Code, §2006.002(c).

The amendment is proposed under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 1999) which authorizes the Board to adopt rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Act.

No other article, statute or code is affected by this proposed amendment.

§519.7.Administrative Penalties.

(a) The Board may impose an administrative penalty alone or in addition to other sanctions permitted under the Act. Board committees and the executive director are delegated the authority to determine that any alleged violation warrants an administrative penalty under Subchapter L of the Public Accountancy Act.

(b) The report of any such determination may be included in a notice of hearing.

(c) A request for a hearing under §901.554 of the Public Accountancy Act shall clearly notify the staff that the hearing must address issues relevant to the assessment of an administrative penalty by including the language "RESPONDENT SPECIFICALLY REQUESTS A HEARING ON ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES" in capital letters. Failure to include such language shall be a waiver of the right to a hearing within the meaning of §901.554 of the Public Accountancy Act.

(d) Pursuant to §901.551 of the Public Accountancy Act:

(1) the board imposes an administrative penalty on licensees who, in violation of §901.411 of the Public Accountancy Act:

(A) do not complete at least 120 hours of continuing professional education in each three-year license period;

(B) do not complete at least 20 hours in each one-year license period;

(C) do not comply with board rules for the reporting of continuing professional education; or

(D) fail to complete or report sufficient ethics hours as required by board §523.63 of this title (relating to Mandatory Continuing Professional Education Attendance).

(2) considering the seriousness of violation of §901.411 of the Public Accountancy Act, the hazard and potential hazard to the public from CPAs who are not trained in current accounting standards and practices, the amount necessary to deter future violations, and such other matters as the board considers justice may require, the board sets the administrative penalty for the violations described in §519.7(d)(1) of this title (relating to Administrative Penalties) at $100 per licensee per license period.

(3) the penalty may be assessed only on licensees against whom a final board order is issued.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 27, 2001.

TRD-200104375

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 9, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7848


22 TAC §519.9

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (Board) proposes an amendment to §519.9 concerning Procedures after Hearing.

The amendment to §519.9 will allow the Board to dismiss a complaint at any time, even after a hearing or issuance of a proposal for decision ("PFD"), and not impose any sanction on a licensee. The dismissal does not affect any relief lawfully awarded against the board in the PFD. The amendment also corrects some language to comport with the Administrative Procedure Act and makes some grammatical changes. Finally the amendment clarifies that administrative costs eligible to be recovered includes all costs incurred in defending any order on appeal.

William Treacy, Executive Director of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendment will be in effect:

A. the additional estimated cost to the state expected as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require the state to do or not do anything.

B. the estimated reduction in costs to the state and to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proposed amendment does not require the state to do or not do anything.

C. the estimated loss or increase in revenue to the state as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be an increased revenue of approximately $1,000.00 a year based on assessing and collecting the incremental costs of defending appeals of Board Orders.

Mr. Treacy has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect the public benefits expected as a result of adoption of the proposed amendment will be that the Board will be able to pass on to licensees and ex-licensees the incremental cost of defending Board Orders on appeal.

The probable economic cost to persons required to comply with the amendment will be approximately $1,000.00 a year for the incremental cost of defending a Board Order on appeal.

Mr. Treacy has determined that a Local Employment Impact Statement is not required because the proposed amendment will not affect a local economy.

The Board requests comments on the substance and effect of the proposed amendment from any interested person. Comments must be received at the Board no later than noon on Wednesday, August 29, 2001. Comments should be addressed to Amanda G. Birrell, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 333 Guadalupe, Tower III, Suite 900, Austin, Texas 78701 or faxed to her attention at (512) 305-7854.

Mr. Treacy has determined that the proposed amendment will not have an adverse economic effect on small businesses because the total annual incremental cost is $1,000.00 which is not an adverse economic effect, and which will probably be assessed as a lump sum, but collected over a period of time, if at all.

The Board specifically invites comments from the public on the issues of whether or not the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small business; if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, then how may the Board legally and feasibly reduce that effect considering the purpose of the statute under which the amendment is to be adopted; and if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, how the cost of compliance for a small business compares with the cost of compliance for the largest business affected by the amendment under any of the following standards: (a) cost per employee; (b) cost for each hour of labor; or (c) cost for each $100 of sales. See Texas Government Code, §2006.002(c).

The amendment is proposed under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 1999) which authorizes the Board to adopt rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Act.

No other article, statute or code is affected by this proposed amendment.

§519.9.Procedures after Hearing.

(a) The Board may dismiss a complaint at any time even after hearing or issuance of a proposal for decision. The Board may not impose a sanction on a licensee based on a dismissed complaint. Any dismissal after a proposal for decision has been issued shall have no effect on relief lawfully awarded against the Board.

(b) [ (a) ] Filing of exceptions and replies. Within [ Any party of record may, within ] 15 days of the date of service of the proposal for decision, unless the administrative law judge has set a shorter or longer period of time, any party of record may file exceptions to the proposal for decision. Replies to these exceptions shall be filed within 15 days after the date of filing the exceptions unless the administrative law judge has set a shorter or longer period of time. A request for extension or decrease of time within which to file exceptions or replies shall be filed with the administrative law judge and [ a copy of the request shall be ] served on all parties of record by the party making the request. The administrative law judge shall promptly notify the parties of the decision with regard to these requests. Additional time shall be allowed only when the interests of justice so require.

(c) After [ Upon ] the expiration of time for filing exceptions or replies to exceptions, [ or after time for filing exceptions or replies to exceptions, or after the replies and exceptions have actually been timely filed, ] the proposal for decision may [ will ] be considered by the board [ and either adopted, modified and adopted, or remanded to the administrative law judge ]. If remanded to the administrative law judge, the revised proposal for decision thereafter rendered by the administrative law judge shall be clearly labeled as an amended proposal for decision. A copy of the proposal for decision shall be served forthwith by the administrative law judge on each party, or each party's attorney of record, and the board. [ Service shall be in accordance with the board's rules. ]

(d) [ (b) ] Form of exceptions and replies. Exceptions and replies to exceptions shall conform as nearly as practicable to the rules provided for pleadings. The specific exceptions shall be concisely stated. The evidence relied upon shall be pointed out with particularity, and that evidence and any arguments and legal authority relied upon shall be grouped under the exceptions to which they relate. Any party filing exceptions and replies shall provide the board with original and 17 copies.

(e) [ (c) ] Oral argument before the board. Any party may request oral argument before the board before the final determination of any proceeding, but the request must be filed in the offices of the board by no later than 5:00 p.m. of the twentieth [ fifth ] working day prior to the board meeting. Oral argument shall be allowed only at the discretion of the board. A request for oral argument may be incorporated in the exception, reply to exceptions, or in a separate pleading. In the event oral argument is granted by the board, each party who has filed exceptions and replies may be limited to a maximum of 20 minutes for presentation thereof. The board shall require one spokesman per party and position. Under no circumstances may any party making oral argument to the board refer to or urge reliance on materials that are not part of the administrative record.

(f) [ (d) ] Motion for rehearing. In the event a motion for rehearing is filed, the executive director shall have authority to act for the board in either granting or denying such motion.

(g) [ (e) ] Administrative cost recovery . [ rule. ] The board may for good cause and in accordance with the Public Accountancy Act, after notice and hearing, impose direct administrative costs in addition to other sanctions provided by law or these rules. Direct administrative costs include, but are not limited to, attorneys' fees, investigative costs, including the costs of the evaluation of the file by the board's committees, excess workload billings for contested case hearings or hearings related services provided by the State Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to the General Appropriations Act, Act. VIII-6, Rider 9, witness fees and deposition expenses, travel expenses of witnesses, fees for professional services of expert witnesses, the cost of a study, analysis, audit, or other projects the board finds necessary in preparation of the state's case, paralegal fees , [ and ] the costs of other support personnel in the enforcement process, [ and ] the board's associated overhead costs and all costs incurred by the state in defending any order on appeal.

(h) [ (f) ] Changes to recommendation. To protect the public interest and to ensure that sound accounting principles govern the decisions of the board, it is the policy of the board to change a finding of fact or conclusion of law or to vacate or modify the proposed order of an administrative law judge when the proposed order is clearly:

(1) erroneous;

(2) against the weight of the evidence;

(3) based on unsound accounting principles or auditing standards;

(4) based on an insufficient review of the evidence;

(5) not sufficient to protect the public interest; or

(6) not sufficient to adequately allow rehabilitation of the licensee.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 27, 2001.

TRD-200104376

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 9, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7848


Chapter 521. FEE SCHEDULE

22 TAC §521.10

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (Board) proposes an amendment to §521.10 concerning Out-of-State Proctoring Fee.

The amendment to §521.10 will increase proctoring examination fees for non-Texas CPA applicants by $8.50 for one subject, $17.00 for two subjects and $34.00 for four subjects.

William Treacy, Executive Director of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendment will be in effect:

A. the additional estimated cost to the state expected as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proctoring fees should recover the costs to proctor the examination.

B. the estimated reduction in costs to the state and to local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proctoring fees should recover the costs to proctor the examination.

C. the estimated loss or increase in revenue to the state as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment will be zero because the proctoring fees should recover the costs to proctor the examination.

Mr. Treacy has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect the public benefits expected as a result of adoption of the proposed amendment will be that the Board will be able to perform a service for other state boards and for non-Texas applicants, at no cost to the State.

The probable economic cost to persons required to comply with the amendment will be an incremental $8.50, $17.00 and $34.00 for non-Texas applicants that want the Texas board to proctor their examination.

Mr. Treacy has determined that a Local Employment Impact Statement is not required because the proposed amendment will not affect a local economy.

The Board requests comments on the substance and effect of the proposed amendment from any interested person. Comments must be received at the Board no later than noon on Wednesday, August 29, 2001. Comments should be addressed to Amanda G. Birrell, General Counsel, Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 333 Guadalupe, Tower III, Suite 900, Austin, Texas 78701 or faxed to her attention at (512) 305-7854.

Mr. Treacy has determined that the proposed amendment will not have an adverse economic effect on small businesses because $8.50, $17.00 and $34.00 are not adverse economic amounts.

The Board specifically invites comments from the public on the issues of whether or not the proposed amendment will have an adverse economic effect on small business; if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, then how may the Board legally and feasibly reduce that effect considering the purpose of the statute under which the amendment is to be adopted; and if the amendment is believed to have such an effect, how the cost of compliance for a small business compares with the cost of compliance for the largest business affected by the amendment under any of the following standards: (a) cost per employee; (b) cost for each hour of labor; or (c) cost for each $100 of sales. See Texas Government Code, §2006.002(c).

The amendment is proposed under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 1999) which authorizes the Board to adopt rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Act.

No other article, statute or code is affected by this proposed amendment.

§521.10.Out-of-State Proctoring Fee.

The fee for proctoring the examination for a candidate applying to another licensing jurisdiction shall be apportioned as follows:

(1) eligible for one subject-- $68.50; [ $60; ]

(2) eligible for two subjects-- $107.00; and [ $90; and ]

(3) eligible for four subjects-- $214.00. [ $180. ]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 27, 2001.

TRD-200104377

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 9, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7848