HBA-JEK, MPM H.B. 2437 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2437
By: Davis, Yvonne
Public Health
3/22/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Code Enforcement Association of Texas (CEAT) offers
certification courses to registered code enforcement officers (officers) in
conjunction with the Texas Engineering Extension Service of Texas A&M
University.  CEAT offers an initial training course for the officers to be
certified.  Each year thereafter, an officer is required to pay a
registration fee to renew their certification, but no additional training
is required by law.  Without this additional training, officers may not be
aware of changes in law that apply to code enforcement.  House Bill 2437
requires the Texas Board of Health to establish a continuing education
program for officers required for certification renewal. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Board of Health in SECTION 1
of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2437 amends law to require the Texas Board of Health, by rule,
to prescribe annual continuing education requirements for code enforcement
officers and code enforcement officers in training that establish the
number of continuing education hours required for a certificate of
registration renewal and an approved curriculum that includes material
regarding changes in applicable law that may be taught by suitable public
agencies and private entities approved by the Texas Department of Health. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.