The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
July 10, 2021
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas. TBPG proposes amendments to 22 TAC §851.41 and §851.80, regarding the addition of a Texas Fundamentals of Geophysics exam for the Geoscientist-in-Training (GIT) certification in the discipline of Geophysics. For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/July92021/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#17
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Opinion Piece: On July 9, 2021 President Biden issued “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy”. This executive order states that it establishes “a whole-of-government effort to promote competition in the American economy.” Among other things it will ban or limit non-compete agreements and unnecessary, cumbersome occupational licensing requirements that impede economic mobility. This is the same type of verbiage has been used by various groups and individuals in an effort to get rid of the Texas Professional Geoscientist license. Hopefully, this won’t re-ignite this effort, but it may cause problems in the future, especially with the TBPG’s Sunset Committee review coming up in a couple of years.
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The Texas legislative session is back in session. Special Sessions may last as long as 30 days. The following bills have been filed and are being worked on. New information is in bold.
HB 51, by Reynolds, Relating to the establishment of the Texas Environmental Justice Advisory Council. 6/9/2021, 7/7/2021 filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=871&Bill=HB51
HB 52, by Reynolds, Relating to air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. 7/7/2021 filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=871&Bill=HB52
HB 51, by Reynolds, Relating to the analysis of inspection and maintenance requirements for air quality permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain oil and gas facilities. 7/7/2021 filed. For more information go to: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=871&Bill=HB53
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
7/10/2021