The Wise Report
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of “Geoscience Firm” and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor; remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to the TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience; remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships; and remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms “geoscientist,” “geoscience,” “geoscience services,” “geoscience company,” or “geoscience, inc.” because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG.
The TBPG also proposes new rules to outline its implementation of the requirements in the Family Code Chapter 232, regarding denial of a license, nonrenewal, suspension, and reinstatement of a license due to non-payment of child support. Proposed new rules also outline the TBPG’s implementation of the requirements in Texas Education Code, Chapter 57, §57.491 in regard to the nonrenewal of a Professional Geoscientist license due to a default status with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC). For more information go to:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December262014/Proposed%20Rules/…
The TBPG and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in order to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 138.
The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed.
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB163
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB190
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB201
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HB281
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity’s role with respect to climate change. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB77
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB78
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB109
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB118
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. Filed 12/19/2014. For more information go to:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=SB253
I’ll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report