TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 3. TEXAS BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

Chapter 71. APPLICATIONS AND APPLICANTS

22 TAC §71.1, §71.3

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) adopts amendments to §71.1, relating to definitions, and §71.3, relating to qualifications of applicants, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 25, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 557) and will not be republished.

The TBCE is currently required to deny renewal to a licensee that is in default of a loan guaranteed by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) or in breach of a repayment agreement, under §57.491 of the Education Code. Section 73.2(c) sets out this mandatory non-renewal requirement.

The legislature, this year, passed H.B. 1755 (creating chapter 56 of the Occupations Code), which gives discretionary authority to certain occupational licensing agencies, including the TBCE, to deny an application for a license or renewal or to discipline a licensee for default on student loans or breach of a loan repayment agreement or the service obligation in a scholarship contract. H.B. 1755 also permits a licensing agency to rescind its action upon receipt of information that the person has repaid the loan or otherwise made arrangements, which effectively place the person in good standing with regard to the loan, repayment or scholarship agreement. Likewise, H.B. 1755 authorizes a licensing agency to reinstate any action or take other disciplinary action upon notice that the person is once again in default or in breach of contract relating to the loan, repayment or scholarship. The board reads H.B. 1755 and §57.491 of the Education Code as giving it discretionary authority to take disciplinary action against a licensee or deny an application for licensure to a person who is not in good standing with respect to a student loan, or repayment or scholarship agreement, including one guaranteed by the TGSLC.

This adoption amends §71.3 to give notice to applicants of the possible denial of their applications for licensure if they are not in good standing with regard to student loans or scholarships. Other non-substantive changes have been made to update statutory references and for format, in §71.1 and §71.3. By separate rulemakings, the board is also adopting amendments to §74.2 and §74.3, relating to facility licenses, and new §80.2, to provide notice to current licensees and applicants for a facility license that they are subject to action by the board if a licensee or applicant is not in good standing with regard to student loans or scholarships.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Occupations Code §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the Chiropractic Act, and Occupations Code ch. 56, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules providing for implementation of the chapter by the board.

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 March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201658

Gary K. Cain, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: April 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: January 25, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Chapter 74. CHIROPRACTIC FACILITIES

22 TAC §74.2, §74.3

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) adopts amendments to §74.2, relating to license requirements for facilities, and §74.3, relating to renewal of a facility license, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 25, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 558) and will not be republished.

The TBCE currently is required to deny renewal to a licensee that is in default of a loan guaranteed by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) or in breach of a repayment agreement, under §57.491 of the Education Code. Section 73.2(c) sets out this mandatory non-renewal requirement for chiropractic licenses. There currently is no similar board rule governing facility licenses.

The legislature, this year, passed H.B. 1755 (creating chapter 56 of the Occupations Code), which gives discretionary authority to certain occupational licensing agencies, including the TBCE, to deny an application for a license or renewal or to discipline a licensee for default on student loans or breach of a loan repayment agreement or the service obligation in a scholarship contract. H.B. 1755 also permits a licensing agency to rescind its action upon receipt of information that the person has repaid the loan or otherwise made arrangements, which effectively place the person in good standing with regard to the loan, repayment or scholarship agreement. Likewise, H.B. 1755 authorizes a licensing agency to reinstate any action or take other disciplinary action upon notice that the person is once again in default or in breach of contract relating to the loan, repayment or scholarship. The board reads H.B. 1755 and §57.491 of the Education Code as giving it discretionary authority to take disciplinary action against a licensee or to deny an application for licensure to a person who is not in good standing with respect to a student loan, or repayment or scholarship agreement, including one guaranteed by the TGSLC.

This adopted rulemaking extends the mandatory non-renewal requirement of §57.491 to facility licensees with TGSLC loans and gives notice to facility applicants and licensees of the possible denial of a license or non-renewal if an applicant or licensee is not in good standing with regard to any student loan or scholarships. These adopted amendments will apply only to facility licenses held by an individual, as a sole proprietor or in a partnership, since only individuals are eligible for student loans or scholarships, and a license for a corporation is held in the name of the corporation, not by individuals.

By separate rulemakings, the board is also adopting amendments to §71.3, relating to applicants for a chiropractic license, and §73.2 (at a later date), relating to renewal of a chiropractic license, to provide similar notice to applicants and current licensees that the board may refuse to grant or renew a chiropractic, if the person is not in good standing with regard to student loans or scholarships. The board is also adopting new §80.2 to provide notice to current licensees that the board may take disciplinary action against a person's chiropractic and facility licenses for the same reasons. Other non-substantive changes have been made to update statutory references and for format in these adoptions.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Occupations Code §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the Chiropractic Act, Occupations Code ch. 56, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules providing for implementation of the chapter by the board, and Education Code §57.491(j), which the board interprets as requiring it to adopt rules necessary to carry out its duties under this section.

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 March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201659

Gary K. Cain, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: April 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: January 25, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Chapter 80. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

22 TAC §80.2

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) adopts amendments to chapter 80, by renaming its title and adding a new §80.2, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 25, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 560) and will not be republished.

The TBCE currently is required to deny renewal to a licensee that is in default of a loan guaranteed by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) or in breach of a repayment agreement, under §57.491 of the Education Code. Section 73.2(c) sets out this mandatory non-renewal requirement for chiropractic licenses.

The legislature, this year, passed H.B. 1755 (creating chapter 56 of the Occupations Code), which gives discretionary authority to certain occupational licensing agencies, including the TBCE, to deny an application for a license or renewal or to discipline a licensee for default on student loans or breach of a loan repayment agreement or the service obligation in a scholarship contract. H.B. 1755 also permits a licensing agency to rescind its action upon receipt of information that the person has repaid the loan or otherwise made arrangements that effectively place the person in good standing with regard to the loan, repayment or scholarship agreement. Likewise, H.B. 1755 authorizes a licensing agency to reinstate any action or take other disciplinary action upon notice that the person is once again in default or in breach of contract relating to the loan, repayment or scholarship. The board reads H.B. 1755 and §57.491 of the Education Code as giving it discretionary authority to take disciplinary action against a licensee or to deny an application for licensure to a person, who is not in good standing with respect to a student loan, or repayment or scholarship agreement, including one guaranteed by the TGSLC.

This rulemaking adds new §80.2 which provides notice to current licensees that they may be subject to the board's disciplinary power if a licensee is not in good standing with regard to student loans or scholarships. By separate rulemakings, the board is adopting amendments to §§71.3, 73.2 (at a later date), 74.2 and 74.3, to provide similar notice that the board may refuse to grant or renew a chiropractic or facility license, on the same basis. Other non-substantive changes have been made to update statutory references and for format in these adoptions.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new rule.

The new rule is adopted under the Occupations Code §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the Chiropractic Act, and Occupations Code ch. 56, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules providing for implementation of the chapter by the board.

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 March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201660

Gary K. Cain, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: April 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: January 25, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Part 22. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY

Chapter 501. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Subchapter C. RESPONSIBILITIES TO CLIENTS

22 TAC §501.70

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopts an amendment to §501.70, concerning Independence without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 1, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 672).

The amendment allows the Board to apply all applicable independence standards to a CPA or licensed firm in a concise format.

The amendment will function by applying all applicable Independence standards to a CPA or licensed firm in a concise format.

The Board received one oral comment. The commenter expressed concern that the Board was deferring to non-governmental agencies to set rules for Texas CPAs. In response, many of the Board rules require compliance with national standards set by the AICPA. See Board Rules 501.60 and 501.62. These rules and this practice of the Board has been upheld as lawful by the Third Court of Appeals in Ray v. Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 4 S.W. 3rd 429 (Tex App.-Austin 1999)(no writ). The commenter also said he found the change confusing. The commenter said he did not perform any attest services and was not familiar with the standards referred to in the rule. In response, the Board believes that the effect of the rule is to simplify the rules in an area, which is currently more confusing. The Board's current rule imposes an additional set of regulation in an area where practitioners must already comply with many other standards. It may take time for licensees to learn and understand the new rule.

The amendment is adopted under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 2001) which provides the agency with the authority to amend, adopt and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate 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 March 14, 2002.

TRD-200201584

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Effective date: April 3, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 1, 2002

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


Subchapter D. RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC

22 TAC §501.81

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopts an amendment to §501.81, concerning Firm License Requirements without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 1, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 673).

The amendment allows the Board to clarify that this rule also applies to sole proprietorships.

The amendment will function by having efficient administration of the rule through the explicit inclusion of sole proprietorships.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The amendment is adopted under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 2001) which provides the agency with the authority to amend, adopt and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate 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 March 14, 2002.

TRD-200201585

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Effective date: April 3, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 1, 2002

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


22 TAC §501.84

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopts an amendment to §501.84, concerning Form of Practice without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 1, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 676).

The amendment allows the Board to broaden the permissible business structures of licensed firms to reflect that non-CPAs may own interests in licensed firms.

The amendment will function by facilitating the utilization of appropriate business structures by licensed firms owned by non-CPAs.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The amendment is adopted under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 2001) which provides the agency with the authority to amend, adopt and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate 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 March 14, 2002.

TRD-200201586

William Treacy

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Effective date: April 3, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 1, 2002

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


Part 28. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 651. FEES

22 TAC §651.2

The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §651.2, Physical Therapy Board Fees, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register , (27 TexReg 1098). The amendments are adopted without changes and will not be republished.

The amendments will increase fees in support of easier access to services for both the public and licensees.

The amendments increase renewal fees for licensees as required by law to support the development of an electronic system for occupational licensing transactions and for professional profiles.

No comments were received on the amendments to this rule.

The section is amended under Title 3, Subtitle H, Chapter 452 of the Occupations Code, which provides the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this 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 March 18, 2002.

TRD-200201692

John P. Maline

Executive Director

Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: April 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

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