Bill Text: TX HB757 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the eligibility requirements for occupational licenses issued to applicants with military experience and to military spouses.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-04-11 - Referred to Vet Affairs & Military Installations [HB757 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB757-Engrossed.html

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83R14891 NC-F
By: Pickett, Moody, Guillen H.B. No. 757

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility requirements for occupational licenses
issued to applicants with military experience and to military
spouses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.4013 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.4013. LICENSE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
APPLICANTS WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other
law, the department shall credit verified military service,
training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other
than examination requirements, for a license issued by the
department.
(b) The department shall expedite the issuance of a
temporary license or a license by endorsement or reciprocity to an
applicant who:
(1) has verified military experience; and
(2) holds a current license issued by another
jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially
equivalent to the license requirements of this state.
(c) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
this section.
SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 55. LICENSE FOR [WHILE ON] MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER OR [DUTY
AND FOR] MILITARY SPOUSE
SECTION 3. Section 55.004, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) A state agency shall adopt rules to expedite the
issuance of a temporary license or a license by endorsement or
reciprocity to an applicant who:
(1) is the spouse of a person serving on active duty as
a member of the armed forces of the United States; and
(2) holds a current license issued by another
jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially
equivalent to the license requirements of this state.
SECTION 4. Chapter 55, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Section 55.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 55.005. LICENSE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
APPLICANTS WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE. (a) Notwithstanding any other
law, a state agency shall credit verified military service,
training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other
than examination requirements, for a license issued by the state
agency.
(b) The state agency shall expedite the issuance of a
temporary license or a license by endorsement or reciprocity to an
applicant who:
(1) has verified military experience; and
(2) holds a current license issued by another
jurisdiction that has license requirements that are substantially
equivalent to the license requirements of this state.
(c) The state agency shall adopt rules necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 5. (a) Sections 51.4013, 55.004(d), and 55.005,
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, apply only to an application
for an occupational license filed on or after May 1, 2014. An
application for a license filed before May 1, 2014, is governed by
the law in effect on the date the application was filed, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
(b) The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall
adopt rules under Section 51.4013, Occupations Code, as added by
this Act, and a state agency shall adopt rules under Sections
55.004(d) and 55.005, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not
later than March 1, 2014.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.