HBA-CMT H.B. 66 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 66 By: Pitts Natural Resources 7/7/26/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, there were administrative conflicts between the licensing and complaint resolution processes in the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's enabling statute in the Occupations Code, the Administrative Procedure Act, and sections of the Water Code. House Bill 66 aims to reduce redundant and duplicative language from certain sections of the Water Code that pertain to water drillers. 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 66 amends the Water Code relating to the regulation of water well drillers. The bill provides that a license for water well drillers expires annually instead of on August 31 of each year. The bill requires each licensee to pay an annual fee to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to renew the license on or before the license renewal day. The bill removes the provision that a member of the Texas water well drillers advisory council is entitled to a per diem for each day the member engages in the business of the council, but continues to allow a member of the council to receive compensation for travel expenses, including expenses for meals and lodging. H.B. 66 removes provisions regarding administrative procedures and the assessment and collection of penalties for licensees. The bill repeals laws regarding: _the 90-day residency requirement for license applicants; _procedures for revoking a license, placing a licensee on probation, or reprimanding a licensee; _requirements for notifying parties to disciplinary hearing of the decisions, orders, findings, and conclusions of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (department); _procedures for appeal of a ruling, order, or other act of the department; and _departmental procedures for handling complaints. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.