Bill Text: TX HB3081 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the deregulation of certain activities and occupations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-19 - Referred directly to subcommittee by chair [HB3081 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3081-Introduced.html
  88R11359 MAW-D
 
  By: Harrison H.B. No. 3081
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the deregulation of certain activities and occupations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The following provisions are repealed:
               (1)  Title 9, Agriculture Code;
               (2)  Article 42A.511(b), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (3)  Sections 91.001(1), (4), (8), (8-a), and (11),
  Labor Code;
               (4)  Section 91.002, Labor Code;
               (5)  Section 91.008, Labor Code;
               (6)  Subchapter B, Chapter 91, Labor Code;
               (7)  Section 91.045, Labor Code;
               (8)  Section 91.048, Labor Code;
               (9)  Section 91.061, Labor Code;
               (10)  Chapter 802, Occupations Code;
               (11)  Sections 1305.002(11-b) and (12), Occupations
  Code;
               (12)  Section 1305.1601, Occupations Code;
               (13)  Section 1305.1605, Occupations Code;
               (14)  Section 1305.162(e), Occupations Code; and
               (15)  Chapter 1802, Occupations Code.
         SECTION 2.  Articles 18.19(c), (d), and (e), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (c)  If there is no prosecution or conviction for an offense
  involving the weapon seized, the magistrate to whom the seizure was
  reported shall, before the 61st day after the date the magistrate
  determines that there will be no prosecution or conviction, notify
  in writing the person found in possession of the weapon that the
  person is entitled to the weapon upon written request to the
  magistrate. The magistrate shall order the weapon returned to the
  person found in possession before the 61st day after the date the
  magistrate receives a request from the person. If the weapon is not
  requested before the 61st day after the date of notification, the
  magistrate shall, before the 121st day after the date of
  notification, order the weapon destroyed, sold at public sale by
  the law enforcement agency holding the weapon or by an auctioneer
  [licensed under Chapter 1802, Occupations Code], or forfeited to
  the state for use by the law enforcement agency holding the weapon
  or by a county forensic laboratory designated by the magistrate. If
  the magistrate does not order the return, destruction, sale, or
  forfeiture of the weapon within the applicable period prescribed by
  this subsection, the law enforcement agency holding the weapon may
  request an order of destruction, sale, or forfeiture of the weapon
  from the magistrate. Only a firearms dealer licensed under 18
  U.S.C. Section 923 may purchase a weapon at public sale under this
  subsection. Proceeds from the sale of a  seized weapon under this
  subsection shall be transferred, after the deduction of court costs
  to which a district court clerk is entitled under Article 59.05(f),
  followed by the deduction of auction costs, to the law enforcement
  agency holding the weapon.
         (d)  A person either convicted or receiving deferred
  adjudication under Chapter 46, Penal Code, is entitled to the
  weapon seized upon request to the court in which the person was
  convicted or placed on deferred adjudication. However, the court
  entering the judgment shall order the weapon destroyed, sold at
  public sale by the law enforcement agency holding the weapon or by
  an auctioneer [licensed under Chapter 1802, Occupations Code],  or
  forfeited to the state for use by the law enforcement agency holding
  the weapon or by a county forensic laboratory designated by the
  court if:
               (1)  the person does not request the weapon before the
  61st day after the date of the judgment of conviction or the order
  placing the person on deferred adjudication;
               (2)  the person has been previously convicted under
  Chapter 46, Penal Code;
               (3)  the weapon is one defined as a prohibited weapon
  under Chapter 46, Penal Code;
               (4)  the offense for which the person is convicted or
  receives deferred adjudication was committed in or on the premises
  of a playground, school, video arcade facility, or youth center, as
  those terms are defined by Section 481.134, Health and Safety Code;
  or
               (5)  the court determines based on the prior criminal
  history of the defendant or based on the circumstances surrounding
  the commission of the offense that possession of the seized weapon
  would pose a threat to the community or one or more individuals.
         (e)  If the person found in possession of a weapon is
  convicted of an offense involving the use of the weapon, before the
  61st day after the date of conviction the court entering judgment of
  conviction shall order destruction of the weapon, sale at public
  sale by the law enforcement agency holding the weapon or by an
  auctioneer [licensed under Chapter 1802, Occupations Code],  or
  forfeiture to the state for use by the law enforcement agency
  holding the weapon or by a county forensic laboratory designated by
  the court. If the court entering judgment of conviction does not
  order the destruction, sale, or forfeiture of the weapon within the
  period prescribed by this subsection, the law enforcement agency
  holding the weapon may request an order of destruction, sale, or
  forfeiture of the weapon from a magistrate. Only a firearms dealer
  licensed under 18 U.S.C. Section 923 may purchase a weapon at public
  sale under this subsection. Proceeds from the sale of a seized
  weapon under this subsection shall be transferred, after the
  deduction of court costs to which a district court clerk is entitled
  under Article 59.05(f), followed by the deduction of auction costs,
  to the law enforcement agency holding the weapon.
         SECTION 3.  Article 42A.511(a), Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  If a judge grants community supervision to a defendant
  convicted of an offense under Section 42.09, 42.091, 42.092, or
  42.10, Penal Code, the judge may require the defendant to[:
               [(1)  complete an online responsible pet owner course
  approved and certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and
  Regulation; or
               [(2)]  attend a responsible pet owner course sponsored
  by a municipal animal shelter, as defined by Section 823.001,
  Health and Safety Code, that:
               (1) [(A)]  receives federal, state, county, or
  municipal funds; and
               (2) [(B)]  serves the county in which the court is
  located.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 91.001(3) and (18), Labor Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Client" means any person who enters into a
  professional employer services agreement with a professional
  employer organization [license holder].
               (18)  "Working capital" of a professional employer
  organization [an applicant] means the organization's [applicant's]
  current assets minus [the applicant's] current liabilities as
  determined by generally accepted accounting principles.
         SECTION 5.  Section 91.003, Labor Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 91.003.  INTERAGENCY COOPERATION. (a) Each state
  agency that in performing duties under other law affects the
  regulation of professional employer services shall cooperate with
  [the department and] other state agencies as necessary to implement
  and enforce this chapter.
         (b)  In particular, the Texas Workforce Commission, the
  division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
  Insurance, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
  Services, and the attorney general's office shall assist in the
  implementation of this chapter [and shall provide information to
  the department on request].
         SECTION 6.  Sections 91.004(a) and (c), Labor Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This chapter does not exempt a client of a professional
  employer organization [license holder], or any covered employee,
  from any other license requirements imposed under local, state, or
  federal law.
         (c)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  is not engaged in the unauthorized practice of an occupation,
  trade, or profession that is licensed, certified, or otherwise
  regulated by a governmental entity solely by entering into a
  professional employer services agreement with a client and covered
  employees.
         SECTION 7.  Section 91.005, Labor Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 91.005.  APPLICATION OF CERTAIN PROCUREMENT LAWS. With
  respect to a bid, contract, purchase order, or agreement entered
  into with the state or a political subdivision of the state, a
  client's status or certification as a small, minority-owned,
  disadvantaged, or woman-owned business enterprise or as a
  historically underutilized business is not affected because the
  client has entered into a professional employer services agreement
  with [a license holder] or uses the services of a professional
  employer organization [license holder].
         SECTION 8.  Section 91.006(a), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A certificate of insurance coverage or other evidence of
  coverage showing that either a professional employer organization
  [license holder] or a client maintains workers' compensation
  insurance coverage constitutes proof of workers' compensation
  insurance coverage for the organization [license holder] and the
  client with respect to all covered employees of the organization
  [license holder] and the client. The state and a political
  subdivision of the state shall accept a certificate of insurance
  coverage or other evidence of coverage described by this section as
  proof of workers' compensation coverage under Chapter 406.
         SECTION 9.  Sections 91.031(a) and (b), Labor Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  shall establish the terms of a professional employer services
  agreement by a written contract between the organization [license
  holder] and the client.
         (b)  The professional employer organization [license holder]
  shall give written notice of the agreement as it affects covered
  employees to each covered employee.
         SECTION 10.  Section 91.032(a), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A professional employer services agreement between a
  professional employer organization [license holder] and a client
  must provide that the organization [license holder]:
               (1)  shares, as provided by Subsection (b), with the
  client the right of direction and control over covered employees;
               (2)  assumes responsibility for the payment of wages to
  the covered employees without regard to payments by the client to
  the organization [license holder];
               (3)  assumes responsibility for the payment of payroll
  taxes and collection of taxes from payroll on covered employees;
               (4)  shares, as provided by Subsection (b), with the
  client the right to hire, fire, discipline, and reassign the
  covered employees; and
               (5)  shares, as provided by Subsection (b), with the
  client the right of direction and control over the adoption of
  employment and safety policies and the management of workers'
  compensation claims, claim filings, and related procedures.
         SECTION 11.  The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 91, Labor
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER
  ORGANIZATION [LICENSE HOLDER]
         SECTION 12.  Section 91.041, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 91.041.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; REQUIRED DISCLOSURE;
  OTHER REPORTS. (a)  A client and professional employer
  organization [license holder] are each considered an employer under
  the laws of this state for purposes of sponsoring retirement and
  welfare benefit plans for covered employees.
         (a-1)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  may sponsor a single welfare benefit plan under which eligible
  covered employees of one or more clients may elect to participate.
         (a-2)  A fully insured welfare benefit plan offered to the
  covered employees of a professional employer organization [license
  holder] and provided by an insurance company authorized to provide
  that insurance in this state or a self-funded health benefit plan
  sponsored by a professional employer organization [license holder]
  as provided by Section 91.0411 shall be treated for purposes of
  state law as a single employer welfare benefit plan.
         (b)  With respect to any insurance or benefit plan provided
  by a professional employer organization [license holder] for the
  benefit of its assigned employees, the organization [a license
  holder] shall disclose the following information to [the
  department,] each client[,] and its covered employees:
               (1)  the type of coverage;
               (2)  the identity of each insurer for each type of
  coverage;
               (3)  the amount of benefits provided for each type of
  coverage and to whom or in whose behalf benefits are to be paid;
               (4)  the policy limits on each insurance policy; and
               (5)  whether the coverage is fully insured, partially
  insured, or fully self-funded.
         [(c)  The commission by rule may require a license holder to
  file other reports that are reasonably necessary for the
  implementation of this chapter.]
         SECTION 13.  Sections 91.0411(b), (c), (e), and (f), Labor
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  may sponsor a benefit plan that is not fully insured if the
  organization [license holder] meets the requirements of this
  section and is approved to sponsor the plan by the commissioner.
         (c)  The commissioner may, on notice and opportunity for all
  interested persons to be heard, adopt rules and issue orders
  reasonably necessary to augment and implement the regulation of
  benefit plans sponsored by a professional employer organization
  [license holder] that are not fully insured. The commissioner may
  not adopt a rule that requires clients or covered employees to be
  members of an association or group in the same trade or industry in
  order to be covered by a [license holder-sponsored] benefit plan
  that is not fully insured. The rules must include all requirements
  that must be met by the organization [license holder] and the plan,
  including:
               (1)  initial and final approval requirements;
               (2)  authority to prescribe forms and items to be
  submitted to the commissioner by the organization [license holder];
               (3)  a fidelity bond;
               (4)  use of an independent actuary;
               (5)  use of a third-party administrator;
               (6)  authority for the commissioner to examine an
  application or a plan;
               (7)  the minimum number of clients and covered
  employees covered by the plan;
               (8)  standards for those natural persons managing the
  plan;
               (9)  the minimum amount of gross contributions;
               (10)  the minimum amount of written commitment, binder,
  or policy for stop-loss insurance;
               (11)  the minimum amount of reserves; and
               (12)  a fee in an amount reasonable and necessary to
  defray the costs of administering this section to be deposited to
  the credit of the operating fund of the Texas Department of
  Insurance.
         (e)  Each professional employer organization [license
  holder] under this section shall appoint the commissioner as its
  resident agent for purposes of service of process. The fee for that
  service is $50, payable at the time of appointment.
         (f)  The commissioner may examine the affairs of any plan and
  shall have access to the records of the plan. The commissioner may
  examine under oath a manager or employee of the professional
  employer organization [license holder] in connection with the plan.
         SECTION 14.  Sections 91.042(a), (a-1), (b), (c), (d), (e),
  (g), (h), and (i), Labor Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  or client may elect to obtain workers' compensation insurance
  coverage for covered employees through an insurance company as
  defined under Section 401.011(28) or through self-insurance as
  provided under Chapter 407.
         (a-1)  The client and the professional employer organization
  shall specify in the professional employer services agreement
  whether the parties have elected to obtain workers' compensation
  insurance coverage for the covered employees and shall specify
  which party must maintain coverage. If the organization [license
  holder] maintains workers' compensation insurance coverage for the
  client, an individual who is an executive employee, as described by
  Section 406.097, of the client is eligible to be treated as an
  executive employee for premium calculation and classification
  purposes. A copy of the professional employer services agreement
  must be provided to the Texas Department of Insurance on request.
  Information obtained by the Texas Department of Insurance under
  this section is confidential and not subject to disclosure under
  Chapter 552, Government Code.
         (b)  If a professional employer organization [license
  holder] maintains workers' compensation insurance coverage for
  covered employees, the organization [license holder] shall pay
  workers' compensation insurance premiums for the covered employees
  based on the experience rating of the client for the first two years
  the covered employees are covered under the [professional employer]
  organization's policy and as further provided by rule by the Texas
  Department of Insurance.
         (c)  For workers' compensation insurance purposes, a
  professional employer organization [license holder] and the
  organization's [license holder's] client shall be coemployers. If
  either a professional employer organization [license holder] or a
  client elects to obtain workers' compensation insurance coverage
  for covered employees, the client and the organization [license
  holder] are subject to Sections 406.005, 406.034, 408.001, and
  411.032.
         (d)  If a professional employer organization [license
  holder] or a client does not elect to obtain workers' compensation
  insurance coverage for covered employees, both the organization
  [license holder] and the client are subject to Sections 406.004,
  406.005, 406.033, and 411.032.
         (e)  After the expiration of the two-year period under
  Subsection (b), if the client elects to obtain workers'
  compensation insurance coverage for covered employees through
  coverage maintained by the client, or if the professional employer
  services agreement is terminated and the client elects to maintain,
  through coverage maintained by the client or through coverage
  maintained by a successor professional employer organization,
  workers' compensation insurance coverage for employees previously
  covered by the former professional employer organization's policy,
  the premium for the workers' compensation insurance coverage for
  the client shall be based on the lower of:
               (1)  the experience modifier of the client before being
  covered under the professional employer organization's coverage;
  or
               (2)  the experience modifier of the former professional
  employer organization [license holder] at the time the client's
  coverage under the professional employer organization's coverage
  is terminated.
         (g)  On the written request of a client, a professional
  employer organization [license holder] that elects to provide
  workers' compensation insurance for covered employees shall
  provide to the client a list of:
               (1)  claims associated with that client made against
  the organization's [license holder's] workers' compensation policy;
  and
               (2)  payments made and reserves established on each
  claim.
         (h)  The professional employer organization [license holder]
  shall provide the information described by Subsection (g) in
  writing from the organization's [license holder's] own records, if
  the organization [license holder] is a qualified self-insurer, or
  from information the organization [license holder] received from
  the organization's [license holder's] workers' compensation
  insurance provider following the organization's [license holder's]
  request under Section 2051.151, Insurance Code, not later than the
  60th day after the date the organization [license holder] receives
  the client's written request. For purposes of this subsection,
  information is considered to be provided to the client on the date
  the information is:
               (1)  received by the United States Postal Service; or
               (2)  personally delivered to the client.
         (i)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  that fails to comply with Subsection (g) or (h) commits a Class D
  administrative violation as provided by Section 415.011.
         SECTION 15.  Section 91.044, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 91.044.  UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES; PAYROLL. (a) A
  professional employer organization [license holder] is the
  employer of a covered employee for purposes of Subtitle A, Title 4,
  and, except for wages subject to Section 91.032(c), for purposes of
  Chapter 61.
         (a-1)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  may, in a calendar year during which an employee becomes a covered
  employee of the organization [license holder], apply toward the
  maximum amount of taxable wages established in Section 201.082(1)
  any wages paid to the employee in that calendar year by:
               (1)  the client; or
               (2)  another professional employer organization
  [license holder] under a prior professional employer services
  agreement with that client.
         (a-2)  In addition to any other reports required to be filed
  by law, a professional employer organization [license holder] shall
  report quarterly to the Texas Workforce Commission on a form
  prescribed by the Texas Workforce Commission the name, address,
  telephone number, federal income tax identification number, and
  classification code according to the North American Industry
  Classification System of each client.
         (b)  For purposes of Subtitle A, Title 4, in the event of the
  termination of a contract between a professional employer
  organization [license holder] and a client or the failure by a
  professional employer organization to submit reports or make tax
  payments as required by that subtitle, the contracting client shall
  be treated as a new employer without a previous experience record
  unless that client is otherwise eligible for an experience rating.
         SECTION 16.  Section 91.046, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 91.046.  CONTRACTUAL DUTIES. Each professional
  employer organization [license holder] is responsible for the
  organization's [license holder's] contractual duties and
  responsibilities to manage, maintain, collect, and make timely
  payments for:
               (1)  insurance premiums;
               (2)  benefit and welfare plans;
               (3)  other employee withholding; and
               (4)  any other expressed responsibility within the
  scope of the professional employer services agreement for
  fulfilling the duties imposed under this section and Sections
  91.032 and[,] 91.047[, and 91.048].
         SECTION 17.  Section 91.047, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 91.047.  COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Each professional
  employer organization [license holder] shall comply with all
  appropriate state and federal laws relating to reporting,
  sponsoring, filing, and maintaining benefit and welfare plans.
         SECTION 18.  Section 91.049, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 91.049.  AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS. Each
  professional employer organization [license holder] shall maintain
  a registered agent for the service of process in this state.
         SECTION 19.  The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 91, Labor
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. [PROHIBITED ACTS;] ENFORCEMENT
         SECTION 20.  Section 91.062(a), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A state agency with duties related to the regulation of
  professional employer services [The executive director] may notify
  the attorney general of a violation of this chapter. The attorney
  general may apply to a district court in Travis County for
  permission to file for quo warranto relief, injunctive relief, or
  both.
         SECTION 21.  Section 415.011, Labor Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 415.011.  NOTICE OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION
  WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM AND PAYMENT INFORMATION;
  ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATION.  (a)  In this section, "professional
  employer organization" ["license holder"] has the meaning assigned
  by Section 91.001.
         (a-1)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a professional
  employer organization [license holder] commits a violation if the
  organization [license holder] fails to provide the information
  required by Sections 91.042(g) and (h).
         (b)  A violation under Subsection (a-1) [(a)] is an
  administrative violation.
         (c)  A professional employer organization [license holder]
  does not commit an administrative violation under this section if
  the organization [license holder] requested the information
  required by Sections 91.042(g) and (h) from the organization's
  [license holder's] workers' compensation insurance provider and the
  provider does not provide the information to the organization
  [license holder] within the required time.  A professional employer
  organization [license holder] shall notify the Texas Department of
  Insurance of a provider's failure to comply with the requirements
  of Section 2051.151, Insurance Code.
         SECTION 22.  Section 252.022(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This chapter does not apply to an expenditure for:
               (1)  a procurement made because of a public calamity
  that requires the immediate appropriation of money to relieve the
  necessity of the municipality's residents or to preserve the
  property of the municipality;
               (2)  a procurement necessary to preserve or protect the
  public health or safety of the municipality's residents;
               (3)  a procurement necessary because of unforeseen
  damage to public machinery, equipment, or other property;
               (4)  a procurement for personal, professional, or
  planning services;
               (5)  a procurement for work that is performed and paid
  for by the day as the work progresses;
               (6)  a purchase of land or a right-of-way;
               (7)  a procurement of items that are available from
  only one source, including:
                     (A)  items that are available from only one source
  because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural
  monopolies;
                     (B)  films, manuscripts, or books;
                     (C)  gas, water, and other utility services;
                     (D)  captive replacement parts or components for
  equipment;
                     (E)  books, papers, and other library materials
  for a public library that are available only from the persons
  holding exclusive distribution rights to the materials; and
                     (F)  management services provided by a nonprofit
  organization to a municipal museum, park, zoo, or other facility to
  which the organization has provided significant financial or other
  benefits;
               (8)  a purchase of rare books, papers, and other
  library materials for a public library;
               (9)  paving drainage, street widening, and other public
  improvements, or related matters, if at least one-third of the cost
  is to be paid by or through special assessments levied on property
  that will benefit from the improvements;
               (10)  a public improvement project, already in
  progress, authorized by the voters of the municipality, for which
  there is a deficiency of funds for completing the project in
  accordance with the plans and purposes authorized by the voters;
               (11)  a payment under a contract by which a developer
  participates in the construction of a public improvement as
  provided by Subchapter C, Chapter 212;
               (12)  personal property sold:
                     (A)  at an auction [by a state licensed
  auctioneer];
                     (B)  at a going out of business sale held in
  compliance with Subchapter F, Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code;
                     (C)  by a political subdivision of this state, a
  state agency of this state, or an entity of the federal government;
  or
                     (D)  under an interlocal contract for cooperative
  purchasing administered by a regional planning commission
  established under Chapter 391;
               (13)  services performed by blind or severely disabled
  persons;
               (14)  goods purchased by a municipality for subsequent
  retail sale by the municipality;
               (15)  electricity; or
               (16)  advertising, other than legal notices.
         SECTION 23.  Section 262.024(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A contract for the purchase of any of the following
  items is exempt from the requirement established by Section 262.023
  if the commissioners court by order grants the exemption:
               (1)  an item that must be purchased in a case of public
  calamity if it is necessary to make the purchase promptly to relieve
  the necessity of the citizens or to preserve the property of the
  county;
               (2)  an item necessary to preserve or protect the
  public health or safety of the residents of the county;
               (3)  an item necessary because of unforeseen damage to
  public property;
               (4)  a personal or professional service;
               (5)  any individual work performed and paid for by the
  day, as the work progresses, provided that no individual is
  compensated under this subsection for more than 20 working days in
  any three month period;
               (6)  any land or right-of-way;
               (7)  an item that can be obtained from only one source,
  including:
                     (A)  items for which competition is precluded
  because of the existence of patents, copyrights, secret processes,
  or monopolies;
                     (B)  films, manuscripts, or books;
                     (C)  electric power, gas, water, and other utility
  services; and
                     (D)  captive replacement parts or components for
  equipment;
               (8)  an item of food;
               (9)  personal property sold:
                     (A)  at an auction [by a state licensed
  auctioneer];
                     (B)  at a going out of business sale held in
  compliance with Subchapter F, Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code;
  or
                     (C)  by a political subdivision of this state, a
  state agency of this state, or an entity of the federal government;
               (10)  any work performed under a contract for community
  and economic development made by a county under Section 381.004; or
               (11)  vehicle and equipment repairs.
         SECTION 24.  Section 263.153(c), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  A county that contracts with an auctioneer [licensed
  under Chapter 1802, Occupations Code,] who uses an Internet auction
  site offering online bidding through the Internet to sell surplus
  or salvage property under this subchapter having an estimated value
  of not more than $500 shall satisfy the notice requirement under
  this section by posting the property on the site for at least 10
  days unless the property is sold before the 10th day.
         SECTION 25.  Section 1101.005, Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 1101.005.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.  This chapter
  does not apply to:
               (1)  an attorney licensed in this state;
               (2)  an attorney-in-fact authorized under a power of
  attorney to conduct not more than three real estate transactions
  annually;
               (3)  a public official while engaged in official
  duties;
               (4)  an auctioneer [licensed under Chapter 1802] while
  conducting the sale of real estate by auction if the auctioneer does
  not perform another act of a broker;
               (5)  a person conducting a real estate transaction
  under a court order or the authority of a will or written trust
  instrument;
               (6)  a person employed by an owner in the sale of
  structures and land on which structures are located if the
  structures are erected by the owner in the course of the owner's
  business;
               (7)  an on-site manager of an apartment complex;
               (8)  an owner or the owner's employee who leases the
  owner's improved or unimproved real estate; or
               (9)  a transaction involving:
                     (A)  the sale, lease, or transfer of a mineral or
  mining interest in real property;
                     (B)  the sale, lease, or transfer of a cemetery
  lot;
                     (C)  the lease or management of a hotel or motel;
  or
                     (D)  the sale of real property under a power of
  sale conferred by a deed of trust or other contract lien.
         SECTION 26.  Section 1305.102(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission shall adopt rules for the licensing of
  electricians, sign electricians, electrical sign contractors,
  electrical contractors, [journeyman industrial electricians,
  journeyman linemen,] residential appliance installers, and
  residential appliance installation contractors as prescribed by
  this chapter.
         SECTION 27.  Sections 33.25(b), (f), and (g), Tax Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioners court of a county by official action
  may authorize a peace officer or the collector for the county
  charged with selling property under this subchapter by public
  auction to enter into an agreement with an auctioneer [a person who
  holds an auctioneer's license] to advertise the auction sale of the
  property and to conduct the auction sale of the property. The
  agreement may provide for on-line bidding and sale.
         (f)  The proceeds of a sale of property under this section
  shall be applied to:
               (1)  any compensation owed to or any expense advanced
  by the [licensed] auctioneer under an agreement entered into under
  Subsection (b) or a service provider under an agreement entered
  into under Subsection (c);
               (2)  all usual costs, expenses, and fees of the seizure
  and sale, payable to the peace officer conducting the sale;
               (3)  all additional expenses incurred in advertising
  the sale or in removing, storing, preserving, or safeguarding the
  seized property pending its sale;
               (4)  all usual court costs payable to the clerk of the
  court that issued the tax warrant; and
               (5)  taxes, penalties, interest, and attorney's fees
  included in the application for warrant.
         (g)  The peace officer or [licensed] auctioneer conducting
  the sale shall pay all proceeds from the sale to the collector
  designated in the tax warrant for distribution as required by
  Subsection (f).
         SECTION 28.  Section 460.406(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The board of directors may authorize the negotiation of
  a contract without competitive sealed bids or proposals if:
               (1)  the aggregate amount involved in the contract is
  less than the greater of:
                     (A)  $50,000; or
                     (B)  the amount of an expenditure under a contract
  that would require a municipality to comply with Section
  252.021(a), Local Government Code;
               (2)  the contract is for construction for which not
  more than one bid or proposal is received;
               (3)  the contract is for services or property for which
  there is only one source or for which it is otherwise impracticable
  to obtain competition, including:
                     (A)  items that are available from only one source
  because of patents, copyrights, secret processes, or natural
  monopolies;
                     (B)  gas, water, and other utility services; and
                     (C)  captive replacement parts or components for
  equipment;
               (4)  the contract is to respond to an emergency for
  which the public exigency does not permit the delay incident to the
  competitive process;
               (5)  the contract is for personal, professional, or
  planning services;
               (6)  the contract, without regard to form and which may
  include bonds, notes, loan agreements, or other obligations, is for
  the purpose of borrowing money or is a part of a transaction
  relating to the borrowing of money, including:
                     (A)  a credit support agreement, such as a line or
  letter of credit or other debt guaranty;
                     (B)  a bond, note, debt sale or purchase, trustee,
  paying agent, remarketing agent, indexing agent, or similar
  agreement;
                     (C)  an agreement with a securities dealer,
  broker, or underwriter; and
                     (D)  any other contract or agreement considered by
  the board of directors to be appropriate or necessary in support of
  the authority's financing activities;
               (7)  the contract is for work that is performed and paid
  for by the day as the work progresses;
               (8)  the contract is for the lease or purchase of an
  interest in land;
               (9)  the contract is for the purchase of personal
  property sold:
                     (A)  at an auction [by a state licensed
  auctioneer];
                     (B)  at a going out of business sale held in
  compliance with Subchapter F, Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code;
  or
                     (C)  by a political subdivision of this state, a
  state agency, or an entity of the federal government;
               (10)  the contract is for services performed by persons
  who are blind or have severe disabilities;
               (11)  the contract is for the purchase of electricity;
               (12)  the contract is one for an authority project and
  awarded for alternate project delivery using the procedures,
  requirements, and limitations under Subchapters E, F, G, H, and I,
  Chapter 2269, Government Code; or
               (13)  the contract is for fare enforcement officer
  services under Section 460.1092.
         SECTION 29.  Sections 503.024(b) and (d), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  For the purposes of Section 503.021, a person is not
  engaging in business as a dealer by:
               (1)  selling or offering to sell, if the sale or offer
  is not made to avoid a requirement of this chapter, a vehicle the
  person acquired for personal or business use to:
                     (A)  a person other than a retail buyer if not sold
  or offered through an [a licensed] auctioneer; or
                     (B)  any person if the sale or offer is made
  through an [a licensed] auctioneer;
               (2)  selling, in a manner provided by law for the forced
  sale of vehicles, a vehicle in which the person holds a security
  interest;
               (3)  acting under a court order as a receiver, trustee,
  administrator, executor, guardian, or other appointed person;
               (4)  selling a vehicle the person acquired from the
  vehicle's owner as a result of paying an insurance claim if the
  person is an insurance company;
               (5)  selling an antique passenger car or truck that is
  at least 25 years of age; or
               (6)  selling a special interest vehicle that is at
  least 12 years of age if the person is a collector.
         (d)  For the purposes of Section 503.021, an [a licensed]
  auctioneer is not engaging in business as a dealer by, as a bid
  caller, selling or offering to sell property, including a business
  that holds the title to any number of vehicles, to the highest
  bidder at a bona fide auction if:
               (1)  legal or equitable title does not pass to the
  auctioneer;
               (2)  the auction is not held to avoid a requirement of
  this chapter; and
               (3)  for an auction of vehicles owned legally or
  equitably by a person who holds a general distinguishing number,
  the auction is conducted at the location for which the general
  distinguishing number was issued.
         SECTION 30.  Article 42A.511, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
  amended by this Act, applies to a defendant placed on community
  supervision on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless
  of whether the offense for which the defendant was placed on
  community supervision was committed before, on, or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 31.  On the effective date of this Act:
               (1)  the Auctioneer Advisory Board is abolished; and
               (2)  money in the auctioneer education and recovery
  fund is transferred to the general revenue fund.
         SECTION 32.  On the effective date of this Act, a pending
  regulatory action, including a complaint investigation,
  disciplinary action, or administrative penalty proceeding, of the
  Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with respect to a
  license, permit, or certification issued under a law repealed by
  this Act, is terminated.
         SECTION 33.  On the effective date of this Act, a license,
  permit, or certification issued under a law repealed by this Act
  expires.
         SECTION 34.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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