22 TAC §361.6
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts amendments
to §361.6, providing for certain fees charged by the Board, including
the fees for renewal of Master Plumber Licenses, Journeyman Plumber Licenses,
Master and Journeyman Endorsements for Medical Gas Piping Installation and
Water Supply Protection Specialist, without changes to the proposed text as
published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the
Texas
Register
(27 TexReg 4523). No comments were received regarding the
proposed amendments.
The amendments to §361.6 are in compliance with Senate Bill 187 (77th
Legislature) which established the Texas Online Authority and Senate Bill
645 (77th Legislature) which requires state occupational licensing agencies,
including the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, to raise license and
endorsement fees to pay for the development and use of "Texas Online", a state
web site for electronic occupational license transactions. The first categories
of plumbing licenses that will available to be renewed online are Master Plumber
Licenses and Journeyman Plumber Licenses, including Medical Gas Installation
and Water Supply Protection Specialist Endorsements. The Texas Online Authority
has advised the Board that the online renewal of these licenses and endorsements
will be implemented by June 30, 2002. The Texas Online Authority is requiring
the Board to begin collecting the additional fees on August 1, 2002. The Master
and Journeyman Plumber License and Endorsement renewal fees that were set
by the Texas Online Authority are:
Master Plumber License renewal to increase by $5 (from $175 to $180 annually)
Master Medical Gas Endorsement renewal fee to increase by $5 (from $50 to
$55 for 3 yrs.) Master WSPS Endorsement renewal fee to increase by $5 (from
$50 to $55 for 3 yrs.) Journeyman Plumber License renewal fee to increase
by $2 (from $25 to $27 annually) Journeyman Medical Gas Endorsement renewal
fee to increase by $2 (from $12 to $14 for 3yrs) Journeyman WSPS Endorsement
renewal fee to increase by $2 (from $12 to $14 for 3yrs)
Online renewal for other plumbing licenses and registrations will be added
later on a date to be determined by the Texas Online Authority.
The amendments to §361.6 are adopted under and affect Texas
Revised Civil Statutes Annotated Article 6243-101 ("Act"), §5(a), Senate
Bill 187 (77th Legislature), Senate Bill 645 (77th Legislature) and the rule
it amends. §5(a) of the Act authorizes, empowers and directs the Board
to prescribe, amend and enforce all rules and regulations necessary to carry
out the Act. Senate Bill 187 (77th Legislature) which established the Texas
Online Authority and Senate Bill 645 (77th Legislature) which require state
occupational licensing agencies, including the Texas State Board of Plumbing
Examiners, to raise license and endorsement fees to pay for the development
and use of "Texas Online", a state web site for electronic occupational license
transactions. No other statute, article or code is affected by these amendments.
The amendments have been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within
the state agency's authority to adopt.
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 July 8, 2002.
TRD-200204252
Robert L. Maxwell
Administrator
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Effective date: August 1, 2002
Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002
For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145