Board moves to publish rule amendment if House Bill 32 14 becomes law; other licensing bills remain pending

The board received a legislative update and voted to publish a proposed amendment to its administrative rule to reduce the experience requirement to test for a master plumber license if the legislature’s bill becomes law.

Lynn Latoham, general counsel, told the board that Senate Bill 1080 has become law and establishes a pathway for incarcerated individuals and parolees to obtain provisional occupational licenses. She said House Bill 32 14 (a bill that would reduce required journeyman service from four years to two years for eligibility to sit for the master exam) and House Bill 56 29 (expedited licensing for service members, veterans and spouses) had not yet been signed by the governor and were pending the governor’s action through June 22.

On agenda item 7, the board considered whether to amend 22 Texas Administrative Code 36.363.4 to comply with the possible statutory change in House Bill 32 14. Board member Justin moved to publish the proposed amendment in the Texas Register for 30 days of public comment if House Bill 32 14 becomes law; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion included a caveat that staff would not publish the rule until the governor has signed or allowed the bill to become law.

What the amendment would do: The proposed amendment would reduce the experience requirement to apply to sit for the master's exam from four years as a journeyman to two years, aligning board rules with the statute as drafted. General counsel and staff emphasized the board cannot implement a rule until a bill becomes law; the board voted to post the rule for comment conditioned on the governor’s approval to avoid delayed implementation if the statute takes effect Sept. 1.

Why it matters: If the governor signs House Bill 32 14, journeymen who have held their license for two years rather than four would become eligible to test for a master license beginning Sept. 1 under the board’s planned timeline. Board members noted the written and practical master exams serve as a “safety net,” pointing to a master exam pass rate of roughly 51 percent as evidence that the exam—not time-in-trade alone—determines qualification.

Other legislative bills noted by staff - Senate Bill 1080: Staff reported SB 1080 has become law; it creates a provisional occupational licensing pathway for incarcerated individuals and parolees. - House Bill 56 29: Staff reported HB 56 29 would create expedited licensing pathways for service members, veterans and military spouses but had not been signed as of the meeting.

Speakers and votes General counsel Lynn Latoham presented the update. Justin (board member) moved to publish the rule amendment contingent on governor action; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps Staff will prepare the amendment text and submit it to the Texas Register for 30 days of public comment only if and when the governor signs or allows House Bill 32 14 to become law. If the governor vetoes the bill, staff said the proposed rule posting will not proceed.

Ending: The board retained jurisdiction to finalize the rule only after statutory change occurs and staff completes the 30-day public comment posting process.