TDLR adopts ALJ recommendations, denying several license applications

During the contested‑cases portion of the TDLR meeting on Dec. 29, prosecutors presented administrative law judge (ALJ) recommendations to deny multiple license applications, and commissioners voted to adopt the proposed findings and conclusions (PFDs) in each case.

Senior prosecutors presented the record in several matters. For Brian v. Gonzales, the ALJ recommended denying an apprentice‑electrician application after disclosure of a June 2024 guilty plea on three felony counts involving child sexual offenses and the applicant’s status as a lifetime registered offender; the commission adopted the PFD as written. Staff explained the seriousness of the offenses and the risk they pose given electricians’ access to private residences where children may be present.

In a separate case, prosecutors reported that Stephen (Steven) Coy Taylor’s criminal record spans nearly two decades and includes multiple felonies (theft, drug‑possession incidents, forgery, identity‑fraud charges). Commissioners debated a requested continuance and whether remote appearance (Webex) options were offered historically; the commission denied the continuance request and adopted the ALJ recommendation to deny licensure.

Calvin Porter Jr.’s Class A barber license application was presented with an ALJ recommendation for denial based on a 2022 conviction for unlawful restraint exposing a minor to serious bodily injury; commissioners adopted the PFD with a technical correction to include the respondent’s last name in the findings.

A contested matter involving Douglas Watley (incident management tow operator) included prosecutor testimony about repeated probation revocations and recent felony convictions. Watley appeared by Zoom and described efforts at rehabilitation and community support; commissioners questioned the sufficiency of corroborating evidence and ultimately adopted the PFD as presented (with technical corrections discussed). The record shows commissioners deliberated about options to request written character references and clarifying documentation before issuing final dispositions.

Where the record showed the department had pursued or implemented alternatives, the commission accepted procedural outcomes: for Chad Rice staff reported a restricted license had been issued and the commission voted to dismiss the PFD as implemented. In several cases commissioners discussed the need for a clearer continuance policy and for better notice about virtual appearance options.

Each contested-case motion was recorded and votes were taken on the record; staff noted technical corrections where needed. Commissioners did not adopt policy changes as part of the individual decisions but asked staff to draft guidance about continuances and virtual‑appearance procedures for future meetings.

The meeting transcript records motions and roll calls for each contested item; the commission’s action was adoption of the ALJ recommendations and denial of the listed license applications except where dismissal followed a restriction or other administrative resolution.