89R8589 DNC-F     By: Middleton S.B. No. 2531       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to occupational licensing reciprocity agreements.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 2, Occupations Code, is amended by adding   Chapter 61 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 61.  OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS          Sec. 61.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Licensing authority" means a department,   commission, board, office, or other agency of this state that   issues or renews an occupational license.                (2)  "Occupational license" means a license, permit,   registration, certificate, or other form of authorization that must   be obtained by an individual to engage in a business, occupation, or   profession.          Sec. 61.002.  GOAL FOR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING RECIPROCITY   AGREEMENTS. Each licensing authority shall:                (1)  maximize occupational licensing reciprocity   agreements to the extent allowed by law; and                (2)  identify state laws that prevent the licensing   authority from entering into a reciprocity agreement with a   licensing authority in another state.          Sec. 61.003.  RULES. A licensing authority shall adopt   rules necessary to implement this chapter.  The rules must   establish procedures for the licensing authority to:                (1)  determine whether the licensing requirements of   another state are substantially equivalent to the requirements of   this state, taking into consideration:                      (A)  the level of required training and testing to   obtain a license, including methods used to evaluate work   experience to fulfill training or testing requirements;                      (B)  the scope of practice for which the license   is issued; and                      (C)  the procedures used in the other state to   resolve complaints and to determine whether a license holder is in   good standing; and                (2)  enter into and implement reciprocity agreements   with licensing authorities in other states that have occupational   licensing requirements substantially equivalent to this state's   requirements.          Sec. 61.004.  REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each   odd-numbered year, each licensing authority shall submit to the   governor and the Legislative Budget Board a written report that:                (1)  summarizes the licensing authority's efforts under   Section 61.002, including a description of the extent to which this   state's licensing requirements exceed the requirements of other   states;                (2)  describes the licensing authority's efforts to   enter into reciprocity agreements with licensing authorities in   other states, including a list of:                      (A)  each reciprocity agreement entered into; and                      (B)  any unsuccessful effort to enter into a   reciprocity agreement with a licensing authority of another state;   and                (3)  recommends any legislative action that is   necessary or appropriate to increase the number of occupational   license reciprocity agreements as directed by this chapter,   including any reduction of this state's licensing requirements that   would make more reciprocity agreements possible.          SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, each licensing   authority shall adopt the rules required by Section 61.003,   Occupations Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Section 61.004, Occupations   Code, as added by this Act, a licensing authority shall submit the   initial report required by that section not later than December 1,   2027.          SECTION 4.  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, 2025.