22 TAC §273.4
The Texas Optometry Board proposes amendments to §273.4,
concerning fees. The amendment sets the fee for licensees who have not timely
complied with continuing education requirements at $182.00, as set by §351.308
of the Texas Optometry Act.
Chris Kloeris, Executive Director of the Texas Optometry Board, has determined
that for the first five-year period the amendments are in effect there will
be no fiscal implications for local government as a result of enforcing or
administering the amendments. For state government, it is projected that there
will be increased revenue of less than $100 for the first year of the biennium
and each year thereafter that fee amounts are in effect.
Chris Kloeris also has determined that for each of the first five years
the amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of
the amendments will be assurances that licensees obtain continuing education
timely, and that the license renewal process will operate efficiently.
The economic costs for persons who are required to comply with the amendments,
including small businesses, will be the same additional $7.00 penalty fee
for each licensee who does not obtain continuing education in the required
time frame. Licensees in compliance with the deadline do not pay this fee.
No disparate effect is foreseen on small or micro-businesses as the fee is
imposed on individual professionals regardless of the size of any business.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Chris Kloeris, Executive Director,
Texas Optometry Board, 333 Guadalupe Street, Suite 2-420, Austin, Texas 78701-3942.
The deadline for furnishing comments is 30 days after publication in the Texas Register
.
The amendment is proposed under the Texas Optometry Act, Texas
Occupations Code, §§351.151, 351.152, and 351.308.
The Texas Optometry Board interprets §351.151 as authorizing the adoption
of procedural and substantive rules for the regulation of the optometric profession; §351.152
as granting the Board the authority to establish by rule reasonable and necessary
fees to cover the costs of administering the act; and §351.308 as setting
the fee for delayed continuing education compliance.
No other sections are affected by the amendments.
§273.4.Fees (Not Refundable).
(a) - (i)
(No change.)
(j)
Late fees (for all renewals with delayed continuing education)
$182.00
[
$175.00
]
(k) - (o)
(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 May 17, 2006.
TRD-200602799
Chris Kloeris
Executive Director
Texas Optometry Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: July 2, 2006
For further information, please call: (512) 305-8502