85R233 BEF-D     By: Lucio III H.B. No. 173       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the licensing and regulation of certain rainwater   harvesting; providing administrative penalties; authorizing fees;   requiring an occupational license.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 7, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding   Chapter 202 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 202. RAINWATER HARVESTING   SUBCHAPTER A. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT          Sec. 202.001.  RULES. The department shall adopt rules that   are reasonable and necessary for the performance of the   department's duties under this chapter, including rules to   establish:                (1)  licensing and other fees;                (2)  license renewal dates;                 (3)  procedures for disciplinary actions; and                (4)  standards for the installation and maintenance of   rainwater harvesting equipment by a license holder.          Sec. 202.002.  LICENSING AND REGULATORY DUTIES. The   department shall:                (1)  review and approve or reject each application for   the issuance or renewal of a license;                (2)  issue each license; and                (3)  deny, suspend, or revoke a license or otherwise   discipline a license holder.   SUBCHAPTER B. RAINWATER HARVESTING LICENSE          Sec. 202.051.  LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not install or   maintain or offer to install or maintain, for compensation, a   rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of more than 500   gallons unless the person holds:                (1)  a license under this chapter; or                (2)  a master plumber or a journeyman plumber license   issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and holds a   water supply protection specialist endorsement issued by the board.          Sec. 202.052.  ISSUANCE OF LICENSE. The department shall   issue a license to an applicant who:                (1)  meets the eligibility requirements of Section   202.053;                (2)  submits an application on a form prescribed by the   department; and                (3)  pays the required application fee.          Sec. 202.053.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. To be eligible for   a license under this chapter, an applicant must:                (1)  successfully complete a rainwater harvesting   training program approved by the department; and                (2)  pass an examination administered or approved by   the department.          Sec. 202.054.  LICENSE TERM AND RENEWAL. (a) A license   issued under this chapter is valid for three years.          (b)  A person who holds a license under this chapter may   renew the license by:                (1)  paying the required renewal fee;                (2)  submitting the appropriate form; and                (3)  meeting any other requirement established by   department rule.          Sec. 202.055.  CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. The   department by rule shall adopt, monitor, and enforce a reporting   program for the continuing education of license holders. The   department shall adopt and administer rules that:                (1)  establish the number of hours of continuing   education the department determines appropriate as a prerequisite   to the renewal of a license under this chapter; and                (2)  adopt a process to assess a license holder's   participation in continuing education courses.   SUBCHAPTER C. PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS          Sec. 202.101.  LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. The   department may suspend or revoke a license if the license holder   violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.          Sec. 202.102.  ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. A person who   violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted by the department   under this chapter is subject to an administrative penalty under   Section 12.020, regardless of whether the person holds a license   under this chapter.          SECTION 2.  Section 12.020(c), Agriculture Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  The provisions of law subject to this section and the   applicable penalty amounts are as follows:   Provision Amount of Penalty       Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,       Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,       Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,       [and] 134, and 202 not more than $5,000         Subchapters A, B, and C, Chapter 71 not more than $5,000   Chapter 14 not more than $10,000   Chapter 1951, Occupations Code not more than $5,000   Chapter 153, Natural Resources       Code not more than $5,000.          SECTION 3.  Not later than March 1, 2018, the Department of   Agriculture shall adopt rules necessary to implement Chapter 202,   Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 4.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this   section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.          (b)  Section 12.020(c), Agriculture Code, as amended by this   Act, and Sections 202.051 and 202.102, Agriculture Code, as added   by this Act, take effect September 1, 2018.