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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of certain private security companies |
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and occupations; creating an offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1702.002(1-a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(1-a) For purposes of Subdivision (1), the term "alarm |
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system" does not include a telephone entry system, an operator for |
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opening or closing a residential or commercial gate or door, or an |
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accessory used only to activate a gate or door, if the system, |
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operator, or accessory is not monitored by security personnel or a |
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security service and does not send a signal to which law enforcement |
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or emergency services respond [connected to a computer or data
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processor that records or archives the voice, visual image, or
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identifying information of the user]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1702.105, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1702.105. ALARM SYSTEMS COMPANY. (a) A person acts as |
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an alarm systems company for the purposes of this chapter if the |
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person sells, installs, services, monitors, or responds to an alarm |
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system or detection device. |
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(b) An alarm systems company may sell, install, maintain, or |
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service, or offer to sell, install, maintain, or service, an |
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electronic access control device or a mechanical security device |
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that is capable of activation through a wireless signal. An alarm |
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systems company may not rekey an electronic access control device |
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or mechanical security device that can be activated by a key. This |
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subsection does not apply to a mechanical security device or |
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electronic access control device installed in a motor vehicle. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1702.110, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) An application for a license under this chapter must be |
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in the form prescribed by the board and include: |
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(1) the full name and business address of the |
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applicant; |
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(2) the name under which the applicant intends to do |
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business; |
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(3) a statement as to the general nature of the |
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business in which the applicant intends to engage; |
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(4) a statement as to the classification for which the |
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applicant requests qualification; |
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(5) if the applicant is an entity other than an |
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individual, the full name and residence address of each partner, |
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officer who oversees the security-related aspects of the business, |
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and director of the applicant, and of the applicant's manager; |
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(6) if the applicant is an individual, the [two
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classifiable sets of] fingerprints of the applicant or, if the |
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applicant is an entity other than an individual, of each officer who |
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oversees the security-related aspects of the business and of each |
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partner or shareholder who owns at least a 25 percent interest in |
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the applicant, provided in the manner prescribed by the board; |
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(7) a verified statement of the applicant's experience |
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qualifications in the particular classification in which the |
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applicant is applying; |
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(8) a report from the department stating the |
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applicant's record of any convictions for a Class B misdemeanor or |
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equivalent offense or a greater offense; |
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(9) the social security number of the individual |
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making the application; and |
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(10) other information, evidence, statements, or |
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documents required by the board. |
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(c) The department may return an application as incomplete |
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if the applicant submits payment of a fee that is returned for |
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insufficient funds and the applicant has received notice and an |
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opportunity to provide payment in full. |
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SECTION 4. Section 1702.113(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) An applicant for a license, certificate of |
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registration, endorsement, or security officer commission or the |
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applicant's manager must be at least 18 years of age and must not: |
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(1) at the time of application be charged under an |
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information or indictment with the commission of a Class A or Class |
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B misdemeanor or felony offense determined to be disqualifying by |
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board rule [, under an information or indictment]; |
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(2) have been found by a court to be incompetent by |
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reason of a mental defect or disease and not have been restored to |
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competency; |
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(3) have been dishonorably discharged from the United |
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States armed services, discharged from the United States armed |
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services under other conditions determined by the board to be |
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prohibitive, or dismissed from the United States armed services if |
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a commissioned officer in the United States armed services; or |
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(4) be required to register in this or any other state |
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as a sex offender, unless the applicant is approved by the board |
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under Section 1702.3615. |
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SECTION 5. Section 1702.121(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A manager shall [be] immediately cease all managerial |
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actions [terminated] on the effective date of any summary action |
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taken against the manager. Any period of temporary operation |
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authorized under this section or Section 1702.122 begins [starts] |
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on the effective date of the summary action [termination]. |
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SECTION 6. Section 1702.124, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) In addition to the requirements of this section, an |
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applicant or license holder shall provide and maintain a |
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certificate of insurance or other documentary evidence of insurance |
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sufficient to cover all of the business activities of the applicant |
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or license holder related to private security. |
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SECTION 7. Section 1702.223(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) An alarm systems installer may sell, install, maintain, |
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[or] repair, or service an electronic access control device or a |
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mechanical security device that is capable of activation through a |
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wireless signal. An alarm systems installer may not rekey an |
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electronic access control device or mechanical security device that |
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can be activated by a key. This subsection does not apply to a |
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mechanical security device or electronic access control device |
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installed in a motor vehicle. |
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SECTION 8. Section 1702.282(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The board shall conduct a criminal history check, |
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including a check of any criminal history record information |
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maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in the manner |
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provided by Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, on each |
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applicant for a license, registration, security officer |
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commission, letter of approval, permit, endorsement, or |
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certification. As part of its criminal history check, the board |
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may request that the applicant provide certified copies of relevant |
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court documents or other records. The failure to provide the |
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requested records within a reasonable time as determined by the |
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board may result in the application being considered |
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incomplete. An applicant is not eligible for a license, |
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registration, commission, letter of approval, permit, endorsement, |
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or certification if the check reveals that the applicant has |
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committed an act that constitutes grounds for the denial of the |
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license, registration, commission, letter of approval, permit, |
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endorsement, or certification. Except as provided by Subsection |
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(d), each applicant shall submit at the time of [include in the] |
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application, including an application for the renewal of a license, |
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registration, commission, letter of approval, permit, endorsement, |
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or certification, [two complete sets of] fingerprints in the |
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manner [on forms] prescribed by the board accompanied by the fee set |
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by the board. |
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SECTION 9. Section 1702.288, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: |
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(f) A license holder acting as an alarm systems company does |
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not have to provide the notice required under Subsection (d) if the |
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contact information, including the address and the telephone |
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numbers for the alarm systems company, has not changed. |
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SECTION 10. Subchapter L, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 1702.289 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1702.289. INSPECTIONS. (a) An employee or agent of the |
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department or board, as applicable, who enters the place of |
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business of a person regulated under this chapter for the purpose of |
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conducting an inspection or audit must: |
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(1) notify the manager or owner of the business of the |
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presence of the person conducting the inspection or audit; and |
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(2) present the manager or owner of the business with |
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credentials that identify the person conducting the inspection or |
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audit as an employee or agent of the department or board. |
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(b) This section does not prohibit the department or board |
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from conducting an undercover investigation or covert audit in |
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order to determine compliance with this chapter or a rule adopted |
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under this chapter. |
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SECTION 11. Section 1702.324(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) This chapter does not apply to: |
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(1) a manufacturer or a manufacturer's authorized |
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distributor while selling equipment intended for resale; |
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(2) a person engaged exclusively in the business of |
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obtaining and providing information to: |
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(A) determine creditworthiness; |
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(B) collect debts; or |
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(C) ascertain the reliability of information |
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provided by an applicant for property, life, or disability |
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insurance or an indemnity or surety bond; |
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(3) a person engaged exclusively in the business of |
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repossessing property that is secured by a mortgage or other |
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security interest; |
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(4) a person who is engaged in the business of |
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psychological testing or other testing and interviewing services, |
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including services to determine attitudes, honesty, intelligence, |
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personality, and skills, for preemployment purposes; |
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(5) a person who: |
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(A) is engaged in obtaining information that is a |
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public record under Chapter 552, Government Code, regardless of |
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whether the person receives compensation; |
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(B) is not a full-time employee, as defined by |
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Section 61.001, Labor Code, of a person licensed under this |
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chapter; and |
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(C) does not perform any other act that requires |
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a license under this chapter; |
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(6) a licensed engineer practicing engineering or |
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directly supervising engineering practice under Chapter 1001, |
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including forensic analysis, burglar alarm system engineering, and |
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necessary data collection; |
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(7) an employee of a cattle association who inspects |
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livestock brands under the authority granted to the cattle |
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association by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards |
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Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture; |
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(8) a landman performing activities in the course and |
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scope of the landman's business; |
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(9) an attorney while engaged in the practice of law; |
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(10) a person who obtains a document for use in |
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litigation under an authorization or subpoena issued for a written |
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or oral deposition; |
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(11) an admitted insurer, insurance adjuster, agent, |
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or insurance broker licensed by the state, performing duties in |
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connection with insurance transacted by that person; |
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(12) a person who on the person's own property or on |
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property owned or managed by the person's employer: |
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(A) installs, changes, or repairs a mechanical |
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security device; |
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(B) repairs an electronic security device; or |
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(C) cuts or makes a key for a security device; |
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(13) security personnel, including security contract |
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personnel, working at a commercial nuclear power plant licensed by |
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the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; |
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(14) a person or firm licensed as an accountant or |
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accounting firm under Chapter 901, an owner of an accounting firm, |
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or an employee of an accountant or accounting firm while performing |
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services regulated under Chapter 901; |
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(15) a retailer, wholesaler, or other person who sells |
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mechanical security devices, including locks and deadbolts, but who |
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does not: |
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(A) service mechanical security devices for the |
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public outside of the person's premises; or |
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(B) claim to act as a locksmith; |
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(16) an employee while performing investigative |
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services that would otherwise be subject to this chapter for an |
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entity regulated by the: |
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(A) Texas Department of Insurance; |
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(B) Office of Thrift Supervision; |
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(C) Securities and Exchange Commission; |
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(D) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; or |
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(E) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; |
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[or] |
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(17) a social worker who holds a license issued under |
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Chapter 505 who is engaged in the practice of social work; |
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(18) persons licensed under Chapter 1101, an |
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association thereof, their authorized agents, or a multiple listing |
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service, engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, |
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repairing, programming, or placing lockboxes used for accessing |
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real property; or |
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(19) an automobile club that holds a certificate of |
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authority under Chapter 722, Transportation Code, its |
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subcontractor, or a business that provides similar services, that |
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unlocks a vehicle at the request of the owner or operator of the |
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vehicle and that does not otherwise perform a locksmith service. |
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SECTION 12. Section 1702.361, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) The department shall take disciplinary action described |
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by Subsection (a) on proof: |
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(1) that the applicant, license holder, manager or |
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majority owner of a license holder, registrant, endorsement holder, |
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or commissioned security officer has: |
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(A) violated this chapter or a rule adopted under |
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this chapter; |
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(B) become ineligible for licensure, |
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registration, or endorsement under Section 1702.113, or a |
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commission under Section 1702.163, if applicable, other than an |
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action for which the department has taken summary action under |
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Section 1702.364; |
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(C) engaged in fraud, deceit, or |
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misrepresentation; |
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(D) made a material misstatement in an |
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application for or renewal of a license, registration, endorsement, |
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or commission; |
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(E) failed to pay in full an administrative |
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penalty assessed under Subchapter Q, for which the board has issued |
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a final order; [or] |
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(F) performed any service for which an |
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endorsement is required under this chapter and either: |
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(i) was not employed with a company |
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licensed under this chapter at the time the service was performed; |
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or |
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(ii) performed the service for a company |
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licensed under this chapter that was not listed on the individual's |
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registration without informing the board of the individual's |
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employment with the company within a reasonable period; or |
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(G) failed to qualify a new manager within the |
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time required by board rule following the termination of a manager; |
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or |
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(2) that the license holder of a registrant or |
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commissioned security officer has submitted to the department |
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sufficient evidence that the registrant or commissioned security |
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officer: |
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(A) engaged in fraud or deceit while employed by |
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the license holder; or |
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(B) committed theft while performing work as a |
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registrant or commissioned security officer. |
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(d) The department may revoke a license, certificate, |
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registration, endorsement, or commission if the person holding that |
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credential under this chapter submits payment of a fee or penalty |
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that is returned for insufficient funds and the person has received |
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notice and an opportunity to provide payment in full. |
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SECTION 13. Section 1702.364(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) On receiving written notice from a law enforcement |
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agency that a person has been charged with or convicted of an |
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offense that would make the person ineligible for a license, |
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certificate of registration, endorsement, or security officer |
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commission under Section 1702.113 or 1702.163, or a rule adopted |
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under Section 1702.004(b), the department shall: |
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(1) summarily deny the person's application for a |
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license, registration, endorsement, or security officer |
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commission; |
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(2) in the event of pending charges, summarily suspend |
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the person's license, certificate of registration, endorsement, or |
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security officer commission; or |
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(3) in the event of a conviction, summarily revoke the |
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person's license, certificate of registration, endorsement, or |
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security officer commission. |
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SECTION 14. Subchapter P, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 1702.3841 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1702.3841. INSUFFICIENT INSURANCE COVERAGE; OFFENSE. |
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(a) A person commits an offense if the person is subject to Section |
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1702.124 and knowingly fails to provide and maintain a certificate |
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of insurance or other documentary evidence of insurance sufficient |
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to cover all of the business activities of the person related to |
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private security. A person is presumed to have acted knowingly for |
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purposes of this subsection if the person received reasonable |
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notice from the department and an opportunity to provide or |
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maintain the documentation required by Section 1702.124 and failed |
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to do so. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 15. Subchapter B, Chapter 1302, Occupations Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 1302.064 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1302.064. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION. This chapter does |
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not apply to a person licensed under Chapter 1702 of this code or |
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Chapter 6002, Insurance Code, who sells, designs, or offers to sell |
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or design a product or technology, including a burglar alarm or fire |
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alarm, that is integrated with an air conditioning or refrigeration |
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system if the sale, design, or offer does not include the |
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installation of any part of an air conditioning or refrigeration |
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system by that person. |
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SECTION 16. Section 12.092(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The medical advisory board shall assist the Department |
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of Public Safety of the State of Texas in determining whether: |
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(1) an applicant for a driver's license or a license |
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holder is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle; or |
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(2) an applicant for or holder of a license to carry a |
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concealed handgun under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, |
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Government Code, or an applicant for or holder of a commission as a |
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security officer under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is capable |
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of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and |
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storage of a handgun. |
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SECTION 17. Sections 1702.113(b) and (c), Occupations Code, |
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are repealed. |
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SECTION 18. (a) The changes in law made by this Act to |
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Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, apply only to an application for an |
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original or renewal license, registration, or endorsement |
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submitted to the Texas Private Security Board on or after January 1, |
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2014. An application submitted before January 1, 2014, is governed |
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by the law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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(b) The Texas Private Security Board shall adopt rules to |
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implement the changes in law made by this Act not later than January |
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1, 2014. |
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SECTION 19. This Act takes effect immediately if it |
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receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each |
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house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
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If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate |
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effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3433 was passed by the House on May 2, |
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2013, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 2, 2 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 3433 on May 24, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 131, Nays 13, |
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1 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3433 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |