HBA-CMT H.B. 3372 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3372
By: Nixon, Joe
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
4/11/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 76th Legislature created new requirements for the registration of
engineering firms with the Board of Professional Engineers.  For sole
proprietors and small businesses, these changes brought about an increased
economic burden.  Currently, individual professionals are required to pay
fees twice, once as a professional engineer and again as a business.  House
Bill 3372 exempts sole proprietors and firms with fewer than six engineers
from registration requirements. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3372 amends the Texas Engineering Practice Act to exempt a sole
proprietorship or firm that employs fewer than six engineers from paying
the required registration fees.  The bill exempts a sole proprietorship or
firm that employs fewer than six engineers from registration requirements
with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (board).  The exempts a sole
proprietorship or firm that employs fewer than six engineers from the
requirement that an entity  is to be registered with the board to be
authorized to engage or offer to engage in the practice of professional
engineering in this state.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.