H.B. No. 2447

An act relating to the abolition of the Board of Tax Professional Examiners and the transfer of its functions to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 1151.002, Occupations Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (5) and adding Subdivisions (7-a), (7-b), and (7-c) to read as follows:

(5) “Code of ethics” means a formal statement of ethical standards of conduct adopted by the commission.

(7-a) “Commission” means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

(7-b) “Committee” means the Texas Tax Professional Advisory Committee.

(7-c) “Department” means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

SECTION 2. Section 1151.004(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The department [board] shall thoroughly investigate a complaint of a violation of this section.

SECTION 3. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 1151, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B. TEXAS TAX PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SECTION 4. Section 1151.051, Occupations Code, as amended by Chapters 815 (S.B. 276) and 1170 (S.B. 287), Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, is reenacted and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1151.051. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The Texas Tax Professional Advisory Committee consists of seven members appointed by the presiding officer of the commission with the approval of the commission as follows:

(1) two members who are certified under this chapter as registered professional appraisers
(2) two members who are certified under this chapter as registered Texas collectors or registered Texas assessors; and
(3) three members who represent the public.
(b) A vacancy on the committee is filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.
(c) The presiding officer of the commission shall designate
one member of the committee as the presiding officer.
(d) Each appointment to the committee shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.
(e) Section 2110.008, Government Code, does not apply to the committee.

SECTION 5. Section 1151.0511, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1151.0511. PUBLIC MEMBER ELIGIBILITY. A person may not be a public member of the committee if the person or the person’s spouse:

(1) is registered, certified, or licensed by a regulatory agency in the field of property tax appraisal, assessment, or collection;
(2) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving money from the department;
(3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving money from the department;
(4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or money from the department [board] other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for committee membership, attendance, or expenses; or
(5) at any time has served on an appraisal review board.

SECTION 6. Sections 1151.0512(b) and (c), Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) A person may not be a member of the committee if:
(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of property tax appraisal, assessment, or collection; or
(2) the person’s spouse is an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of property tax appraisal, assessment, or collection.
(c) A person may not be a member of the committee if the person or the person’s spouse is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person’s activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the committee or the department.

SECTION 7. Section 1151.052, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1151.052. TERMS. Committee [Board] members serve six-year terms, with the terms of one or two members expiring on March 1 of each odd-numbered year.

SECTION 8. Section 1151.055(a), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A committee [board] member may not receive compensation for the member’s services.
SECTION 9. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 1151,
Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER C. [BOARD POWERS AND] DUTIES OF COMMISSION, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT, AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SECTION 10. Subchapter C, Chapter 1151, Occupations Code,
is amended by adding Section 1151.101 to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.101. FEES. The commission, with the advice of the
committee, shall establish fees under this chapter in amounts
reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering the
programs and activities under this chapter.
SECTION 11. Section 1151.1015, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.1015. ASSISTANCE FROM [INTERAGENCY CONTRACT
WITH] COMPTROLLER. The comptroller shall enter into a memorandum
of understanding with the department under which the comptroller
shall provide [(a) The board and the comptroller shall provide
under an interagency contract for the comptroller to provide
administrative support to the board. The contract must include
terms for fees to be paid by the board to the comptroller for
services provided under the contract.
[(b) Under the interagency contract, the comptroller shall
provide to the board]:
(1) information on the educational needs of and
opportunities for tax professionals;
(2) review and approval of all required educational
courses, examinations, and continuing education programs for
registrants;
(3) a copy of any report issued by the comptroller
under Section 5.102, Tax Code, and if requested by the department a
copy of any work papers or other documents collected or created in
connection with a report issued under that section; and
(4) information and assistance regarding
administrative proceedings conducted under the commission’s rules
or this chapter [assistance with outreach efforts to inform
taxpayers of their rights and remedies;
[(3) information on appraisal district enforcement
efforts; and
[(4) assistance with administrative services,
including:
[(A) payroll services;
[(B) budgeting services;
[(C) information technology support;
[(D) human resources services; and
[(E) other administrative services necessary for
the board to perform its powers and duties under this chapter].
SECTION 12. Section 1151.102, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.102. GENERAL RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The
commission [board] may adopt and enforce rules necessary for the
performance of the department’s [board’s] duties.
SECTION 13. Section 1151.103, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.103. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
The commission shall [board may] establish standards of
professional practice, conduct, education, and ethics for
appraisers, assessors, and collectors consistent with the purposes
and intent of this chapter.
SECTION 14. Section 1151.104, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.104. ENFORCEMENT OF CHAPTER. The department
[board] may ensure strict compliance with and enforce this chapter.
SECTION 15. Section 1151.106(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission [board] by rule shall:
(1) adopt a classification system for registrants; and
(2) establish minimum requirements for each
classification.
SECTION 16. Section 1151.107(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department [board] shall maintain a roster of
registrants that includes each registrant’s name, place of
employment, and classification.
SECTION 17. Section 1151.108, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.108. COMMITTEE DUTIES. The committee shall:
(1) recommend to the commission rules and standards
regarding technical issues relating to tax professionals;
(2) provide advice to the commission regarding
continuing education courses and curricula for registrants;
(3) provide advice to the commission regarding the
contents of any examination required by the commission under this
chapter; and
(4) educate, and respond to questions from, the
commission and the department regarding issues affecting tax
professionals. [MONEY RECEIVED BY BOARD. The board shall receive
and account for all money derived under this chapter.]
SECTION 18. Section 1151.151, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.151. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; EXEMPTION. (a) The
following persons must register with the department [board]:
(1) the chief appraiser of an appraisal district, an
appraisal supervisor or assistant, a property tax appraiser, an
appraisal engineer, and any other person authorized to render
judgment on, recommend, or certify an appraised value to the
appraisal review board of an appraisal district;
(2) a person who engages in appraisal of property for
ad valorem tax purposes for an appraisal district or a taxing unit;
(3) an assessor-collector, a collector, or another
person designated by a governing body as the chief administrator of
the taxing unit’s assessment functions, collection functions, or
both; and
(4) a person who performs assessment or collection
functions for a taxing unit and is required to register by the chief
administrator of the unit’s tax office.
(b) A county assessor-collector is not required to register
with the department [board] if the county, by contract entered into
under Section 6.24(b), Tax Code, has its taxes assessed and
collected by another taxing unit or an appraisal district.
SECTION 19. Section 1151.153, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.153. REGISTRATION APPLICATION. (a) An
application for registration must be made on the printed form
provided by the department [board]. In prescribing the contents of
an application form, the commission [board] shall ensure that the
form requires information sufficient to properly classify the
applicant.
(b) Each application form the department [board] provides
must be accompanied by the code of ethics.
SECTION 20. Section 1151.154, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.154. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION. [(a)] An
initial application for registration must be accompanied by:
(1) a nonrefundable [$50] processing fee; and
(2) a nonrefundable registration [the] fee [required
by Section 1151.158].
SECTION 21. Sections 1151.155(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department [board] shall act on an application for
registration not later than the 30th day after the date the
application is received.
(b) The department [board] shall:
(1) classify and register each applicant the
department [board] approves; and
(2) notify the registrant of the requirements for:
(A) maintenance of the registrant’s current
registration; and
(B) professional certification by the department
[board].
SECTION 22. Section 1151.156, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.156. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. The department
[board] may not refuse to register an applicant because of the race,
color, disability [creed], sex, religion, age, or national [ethnic]
origin of the applicant.
SECTION 23. Section 1151.157(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department [board] shall issue an identification
card to each person registered under this chapter. While on
official duty, the registrant shall have the identification card in
the registrant’s possession.
SECTION 24. Section 1151.158, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.158. ANNUAL FEE; EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL OF
REGISTRATION. (a) Except as otherwise provided by the commission,
a [A] registration under this chapter is valid for one year [expires
on December 31] and must be renewed annually. A registrant must pay
an annual fee [of not less than $45 or more than $75]. The
commission by rule may adopt a system under which registrations
expire on various dates during the year.
(b) The department shall notify a registrant under this
chapter of the impending expiration of the registrant’s
registration as provided by Section 51.401(f). [On or before
December 1 of each year, the board shall:
[(1) establish the amount of the renewal fee for the
following year; and
[(2) mail a renewal notice to each person registered
under this chapter.]
SECTION 25. Section 1151.1581, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.1581. CONTINUING EDUCATION. (a) The
commission [board] shall recognize, prepare, or administer
continuing education programs for registrants under this chapter
[its license holders].
(b) The comptroller must review and approve all continuing
education programs for registrants.
(c) A registrant [license holder] must participate in the
programs to the extent required by the department [board] to keep
the person’s certificate of registration [license].
(d) The commission may set fees for continuing education
courses and providers of continuing education courses in amounts
reasonable and necessary to cover the department’s costs in
administering the department’s duties under this section.
(e) The comptroller may set fees for continuing education
courses and providers of continuing education courses in amounts
reasonable and necessary to cover the comptroller’s costs in
administering the comptroller’s duties under this section.
SECTION 26. Sections 1151.160(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission [board] by rule shall adopt minimum
requirements for the certification of registrants. The
requirements for certification of an employee of a taxing unit’s
tax office must emphasize[, but are not limited to,] the areas of
responsibility of the registrant in performing the registrant’s
duties for the taxing unit.
(b) “Registered professional appraiser” is the highest
level of certification established by the commission [board] for a
person engaged in appraisal. “Registered Texas assessor” is the
highest level of certification established by the commission
[board] for a person engaged in assessment. “Registered Texas
collector” is the highest level of certification established by the
commission [board] for a person engaged in collection.
SECTION 27. Section 1151.161, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.161. EXAMINATION FOR CERTIFICATION; APPLICATION;
FEE. (a) The commission [board] by rule shall [may] require a
registrant to pass one or more examinations to be certified. The
commission [board] by rule shall ensure that any examination
required for certification is administered in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et
seq.)[, and its subsequent amendments].
(b) An applicant for examination under this section must
apply to take the examination in the manner prescribed by the
department [file an application with the board on a printed form
provided by the board. In prescribing the contents of the form, the
board shall ensure that the form requires information sufficient to
determine the applicant’s current classification].
(c) The department may accept, develop, or contract for the
examinations required by this section, including the
administration of the examinations. The comptroller must approve
the content of an examination accepted, developed, or contracted
for by the department. The department may require a third-party
vendor to collect a fee associated with the examination directly
from examinees. [The application for examination must be:
[(1) filed with the board not later than the 14th day
before the examination date; and
[(2) accompanied by a nonrefundable fee in the amount
set by the board.]
SECTION 28. Section 1151.162, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.162. RULES RELATING TO RECERTIFICATION AND
SPECIALIZATION. The commission [board] may adopt rules:
(1) regarding recertification to ensure that each
person certified under this chapter who is engaged in appraisal,
assessment, or collection is registered and professionally
competent; and
(2) establishing specialized classifications,
designations, and requirements as necessary to accomplish the
purposes of this chapter, including maintaining high standards of
professional practice in all phases of property taxation.
SECTION 29. Section 1151.163, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.163. REGISTRATION [LICENSE] BY ENDORSEMENT. The
department [board] may waive any prerequisite to obtaining a
certificate of registration [license] for an applicant after
reviewing the applicant’s credentials and determining that the
applicant holds a license or certificate of registration issued by
another jurisdiction that has [licensing] requirements
substantially equivalent to those of this state.
SECTION 30. Sections 1151.164(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department [board] shall implement a training
program for newly appointed chief appraisers and shall prescribe
the curriculum for the training program as provided by this
section.
(b) The training program must provide the appointee with
information regarding:
(1) this chapter;
(2) the programs operated by the department [board];
(3) the role and functions of the department [board];
(4) the rules of the commission [board], with an
emphasis on the rules that relate to ethical behavior;
(5) the role and functions of the chief appraiser, the
appraisal district board of directors, and the appraisal review
board;
(6) the importance of maintaining the independence of
an appraisal office from political pressure;
(7) the importance of prompt and courteous treatment
of the public;
(8) the finance and budgeting requirements for an
appraisal district, including appropriate controls to ensure that
expenditures are proper; and
(9) the requirements of:
(A) the open meetings law, Chapter 551,
Government Code;
(B) the public information law, Chapter 552,
Government Code;
(C) the administrative procedure law, Chapter
2001, Government Code;
(D) other laws relating to public officials,
including conflict-of-interest laws; and
(E) the standards of ethics imposed by the
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
SECTION 31. Section 1151.202, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.202. DENIAL OF REGISTRATION; DISCIPLINARY
ACTION. (a) The department [board] may deny an application for[,
suspend, or revoke the] registration of or take other disciplinary
action as described by Chapter 51 against a person who violates this
chapter or a commission [board] rule[, place on probation a person
whose registration has been suspended, or reprimand a person for a
violation by the person of this chapter or a board rule].
(b) The commission [board] by rule shall adopt written
guidelines to ensure that denials of registration under this
section and other disciplinary actions under Chapter 51 [probation
and the issuance of reprimands] are administered consistently.
(c) Before imposing an administrative penalty under
Subchapter F, Chapter 51, against a registrant, the department must
consider evidence that the registrant:
(1) attempted in good faith to implement or execute a
law, policy, rule, order, budgetary restriction, or other
regulation provided by the laws of this state, the comptroller, or
the governing body or the chief administrator of the appraisal
district or taxing jurisdiction that employs the registrant;
(2) acted on the advice of counsel or the comptroller;
or
(3) had discretion over the matter on which the
complaint is based, if the complaint is based solely on grounds that
the registrant decided incorrectly or failed to exercise discretion
in favor of the complainant.
(d) The department may notify the local governmental entity
that employs a registrant of a complaint against the registrant by
sending a copy of the complaint letter to the local governmental
entity.
SECTION 32. Section 1151.204, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.204. DISMISSAL OF COMPLAINT RELATING TO APPRAISED
VALUE. After investigation, the department [The board] may dismiss
a complaint without conducting a hearing if:
(1) the complaint challenges only [involves a
disagreement on] the appraised value of a property or another
matter for which Title I, Tax Code, specifies a remedy and does not
credibly allege a violation of this chapter or the standards
established by the commission for registrants under this chapter;
and
(2) the disagreement has not been resolved in the
complainant’s favor by an appraisal review board or court.
SECTION 33. Sections 1151.205(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department [board] may request and, if necessary,
compel by subpoena:
(1) the attendance of witnesses for examination under
oath; and
(2) the production of records, documents, and other
evidence relevant to the investigation of an alleged violation of
this chapter or a commission rule for inspection and copying.
(b) If a person does not comply with the subpoena, the
department [board], acting through the attorney general, may file
suit to enforce the subpoena in a district court in Travis County or
in the county in which a hearing conducted by the department [board]
may be held.
SECTION 34. Section 1151.251(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense if the person does not
register with the department [board] as required by Section
1151.151.
SECTION 35. Section 1151.252(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A person commits an offense if the person performs an
appraisal, assessment, or collection function while the person’s
registration or certification with the department [board] is not
active [revoked or suspended].
SECTION 36. Section 1151.253, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1151.253. COMPLAINT OF VIOLATION. A person may file a
complaint with the department [board] concerning a violation of
this chapter or a rule adopted by the commission under this chapter
[Section 1151.251 or 1151.252].
SECTION 37. Section 1152.103, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 1152.103. MEMBERSHIP RESTRICTIONS. A person is not
eligible for appointment as a member of the council if the person
is:
(1) required to register with the secretary of state
under Chapter 305, Government Code;
(2) required to register with the department [Board of
Tax Professional Examiners] under Chapter 1151; or
(3) exempt from the registration requirements imposed
by this chapter, except as provided by Section 1152.102.
SECTION 38. Section 411.122(d), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(d) The following state agencies are subject to this
section:
(1) Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification
Board;
(2) Texas Board of Architectural Examiners;
(3) Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners;
(4) State Board of Dental Examiners;
(5) Texas Board of Professional Engineers;
(6) Texas Funeral Service Commission;
(7) Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists;
(8) Department of State Health Services, except as
provided by Section 411.110, and agencies attached to the
department, including:
(A) Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians;
(B) Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage
and Family Therapists;
(C) Midwifery Board;
(D) Texas State Perfusionist Advisory Committee
[Board of Examiners of Perfusionists];
(E) Texas State Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors;
(F) Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners;
(G) State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology;
(H) Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers;
(I) State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting
and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments;
(J) Texas Board of Licensure for Professional
Medical Physicists; and
(K) Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics;
(9) Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying;
(10) Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation,
except as provided by Section 411.093;
(11) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(12) Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners;
(13) Texas Optometry Board;
(14) Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
(15) Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners;
(16) Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners;
(17) Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners;
(18) Polygraph Examiners Board;
(19) Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists;
(20) Texas Real Estate Commission;
(21) [Board of Tax Professional Examiners;
[(22)] Texas Department of Transportation;
(22) [(23)] State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners;
(23) [(24)] Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(24) [(25)] secretary of state;
(25) [(26)] state fire marshal;
(26) [(27)] Texas Education Agency; and
(27) [(28)] Department of Agriculture.
SECTION 39. Section 2054.352(a), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The following licensing entities shall participate in
the system established under Section 2054.353:
(1) Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners;
(2) Court Reporters Certification Board;
(3) State Board of Dental Examiners;
(4) Texas Funeral Service Commission;
(5) Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying;
(6) Texas Medical Board;
(7) Texas Board of Nursing;
(8) Texas Optometry Board;
(9) Department of Agriculture, for licenses issued
under Chapter 1951, Occupations Code;
(10) Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
(11) Executive Council of Physical Therapy and
Occupational Therapy Examiners;
(12) Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners;
(13) Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners;
(14) [Board of Tax Professional Examiners;
[(15)] Polygraph Examiners Board;
(15) [(16)] Texas State Board of Examiners of
Psychologists;
(16) [(17)] State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners;
(17) [(18)] Texas Real Estate Commission;
(18) [(19)] Texas Appraiser Licensing and
Certification Board;
(19) [(20)] Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation;
(20) [(21)] Texas State Board of Public Accountancy;
(21) [(22)] State Board for Educator Certification;
(22) [(23)] Texas Board of Professional Engineers;
(23) [(24)] Department of State Health Services;
(24) [(25)] Texas Board of Architectural Examiners;
(25) [(26)] Texas Racing Commission;
(26) [(27)] Commission on Law Enforcement Officer
Standards and Education; and
(27) [(28)] Texas Private Security Board.
SECTION 40. Section 5.04, Tax Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 5.04. TRAINING AND EDUCATION OF APPRAISERS. (a) The
comptroller shall enter into a memorandum of understanding [consult
and cooperate] with the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation [Board of Tax Professional Examiners] or any successor
agency responsible for certifying tax professionals in this state
in setting standards for and approving curricula and materials for
use in training and educating appraisers and assessor-collectors,
and the comptroller may contract or enter into a memorandum of
understanding [cooperate with the board or] with other public
agencies, educational institutions, or private organizations in
sponsoring courses of instruction and training programs.
(b) An appraisal district shall reimburse an employee of the
appraisal office for all actual and necessary expenses, tuition and
other fees, and costs of materials incurred in attending, with
approval of the chief appraiser, a course or training program
sponsored or approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation [Board of Tax Professional Examiners].
SECTION 41. The following statutes are repealed:
(1) Section 1151.002(4), Occupations Code;
(2) Section 1151.003, Occupations Code;
(3) Section 1151.053, Occupations Code;
(4) Section 1151.054, Occupations Code;
(5) Section 1151.055(b), Occupations Code;
(6) Section 1151.056, Occupations Code;
(7) Section 1151.057, Occupations Code;
(8) Subchapter B-1, Chapter 1151, Occupations Code;
(9) Section 1151.1021, Occupations Code;
(10) Section 1151.105, Occupations Code;
(11) Section 1151.109, Occupations Code;
(12) Section 1151.110, Occupations Code;
(13) Subchapter C-1, Chapter 1151, Occupations Code;
(14) Section 1151.155(c), Occupations Code;
(15) Section 1151.159, Occupations Code;
(16) Section 1151.1611, Occupations Code;
(17) Section 1151.164(c), Occupations Code;
(18) Section 1151.201, Occupations Code;
(19) Section 1151.2025, Occupations Code; and
(20) Section 1151.203, Occupations Code.
SECTION 42. (a) As soon as possible after the effective
date of this Act, the presiding officer of the Texas Commission of
Licensing and Regulation shall appoint the members of the Texas Tax
Professional Advisory Committee in accordance with Chapter 1151,
Occupations Code, as amended by this Act. In making the initial
appointments, the presiding officer shall designate two members for
terms expiring March 1, 2011, two members for terms expiring March
1, 2013, and three members for terms expiring March 1, 2015.
(b) Section 1151.1581, Occupations Code, as amended by this
Act, applies only to continuing education that must be completed by
a registrant on or after June 1, 2010. A registrant may comply with
the continuing education requirements under Chapter 1151,
Occupations Code, before that date by complying with the
requirements in effect immediately before the effective date of
this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 43. (a) The Board of Tax Professional Examiners is
abolished but continues in existence until March 1, 2010, for the
sole purpose of transferring obligations, property, full-time
equivalent positions, rights, powers, and duties to the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation. The department assumes all
of the obligations, property, full-time equivalent positions,
rights, powers, and duties of the board, as it exists immediately
before the effective date of this Act. All unexpended funds
appropriated to the board are transferred to the department. The
transfer of the obligations, property, full-time equivalent
positions, rights, powers, and duties of the board to the
department must be completed not later than March 1, 2010.
(b) All rules of the Board of Tax Professional Examiners are
continued in effect as rules of the Texas Commission of Licensing
and Regulation until superseded by a rule of the commission. A
certificate issued by the board is continued in effect as provided
by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
Act. A complaint, investigation, contested case, or other
proceeding pending on the effective date of this Act is continued
without change in status after the effective date of this Act. An
activity conducted by the board is considered to be an activity
conducted by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
(c) A reference in another law or an administrative rule to
the Board of Tax Professional Examiners means the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation.
SECTION 44. (a) The Board of Tax Professional Examiners, in
cooperation with and at the direction of the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation, shall complete all necessary computer
programming and other tasks to ensure that the agency numbers
assigned by the comptroller of public accounts to the board and the
department are not necessary for any fiscal year after 2009, except
to complete earlier fiscal year revenue and expenditure
transactions and reporting. The number assigned by the comptroller
of public accounts to the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation shall be used to record transactions related to the
regulation of tax professionals beginning in fiscal year 2010.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2009, the Board of Tax
Professional Examiners shall request that the comptroller of public
accounts grant the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
inquiry-only security access to the uniform statewide accounting
system, the state property accounting system, the uniform statewide
payroll system, and the human resources information system for the
board. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the
comptroller of public accounts may coordinate implementation of
this subsection.
(c) Not later than July 15, 2009, the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation shall provide to the Board of Tax
Professional Examiners detailed information regarding the board’s
responsibilities under Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 45. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
(b) Section 44 of this Act takes effect immediately if this
Act 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, Section 44 of this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2447 was passed by the House on April
28, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2447 on May 25, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0,
1 present, not voting.

______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2447 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.

______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date

__________________
Governor