89R10113 DNC-F     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2440       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code   enforcement officers in training.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1952.001, Occupations Code, is amended   by amending Subdivisions (2) and (2-a) and adding Subdivision (2-b)   to read as follows:                (2)  "Code enforcement officer" means an individual   who:                      (A)  works for [agent of] this state or a   political subdivision of this state; and                      (B)  [who] engages in code enforcement.                (2-a)  "Code enforcement officer in training" means an   individual who:                      (A)  works for this state or a political   subdivision of this state; and                       (B)  engages in code enforcement under the   supervision of a code enforcement officer registered under this   chapter.                (2-b)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission of   Licensing and Regulation.          SECTION 2.  Section 1952.002, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1952.002.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.  An individual    [A person] is not required to be registered under this chapter if   the individual [person]:                (1)  is required to be licensed or registered under   another law of this state; and                (2)  engages in code enforcement under that license or   registration.          SECTION 3.  Section 1952.003, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1952.003.  EMPLOYMENT OF REGISTERED INDIVIDUAL   [PERSON] NOT REQUIRED.  This state or a political subdivision of   this state may engage in code enforcement without employing an   individual [a person] registered under this chapter, if the   individual who is engaging in code enforcement for the state or   political subdivision is exempt from registration under Section   1952.002.          SECTION 4.  Section 1952.101, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1952.101.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Except as permitted   by Section 1952.002, an individual [a person] may not claim to be a   code enforcement officer or use the title "code enforcement   officer" unless the individual [person] holds a valid certificate   of registration under this chapter.          SECTION 5.  Section 1952.102, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1952.102.  ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER AS CODE ENFORCEMENT   OFFICER.  To be eligible to receive a certificate of registration as   a code enforcement officer, an individual [a person] must:                (1)  submit an application in the manner and on the form   prescribed by the executive director;                (2)  have at least one year of full-time experience in   the field of code enforcement;                (3)  pass the examination required by the department;                (4)  pay the application fee[, examination, and   registration fees]; and                (5)  meet any other requirements prescribed by this   chapter or by commission rule.          SECTION 6.  Section 1952.103(c), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (c)  A code enforcement officer in training may engage in   code enforcement under the supervision of a [registered] code   enforcement officer registered under this chapter.          SECTION 7.  Section 1952.104, Occupations Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 1952.104.  RECIPROCAL REGISTRATION.  On proper   application, the department shall issue a certificate of   registration to a license holder or registrant of another state   that has requirements for the licensing or registration of a code   enforcement officer that are at least substantially equivalent to   those of this state.          SECTION 8.  Section 1952.105(a), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  A certificate of registration issued under this chapter   expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance and may be   renewed biennially on proper application, payment of the required   renewal fee, and [on] completion of the continuing education   requirements prescribed by commission rule.          SECTION 9.  Section 1952.151(a), Occupations Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The commission or executive director may deny an   individual's [a person's] application for a certificate of   registration if the individual's [person's] certificate or license   to engage in code enforcement or a related profession has been   revoked by another licensing entity in this state or another state   for:                (1)  unprofessional conduct;                (2)  fraud, deceit, or negligence; or                (3)  misconduct in the practice of code enforcement or   a related profession.          SECTION 10.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.