87(R) SB 1132 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of crafted precious metal dealers; |
 
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authorizing the change of a fee. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 1956.051, Occupations Code, is amended |
 
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by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (5-a) to read as |
 
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follows: |
 
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                         (3)    "Crafted precious metal" means jewelry, |
 
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silverware, an art object, or another object, made wholly or partly |
 
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from precious metal and used primarily for personal, family, or |
 
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household purchases. The term does not include: |
 
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                                     (A)    [, other than] a coin; |
 
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                                     (B)    [,] a bar; |
 
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                                     (C)    [,] a commemorative medallion; |
 
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                                     (D)    an item selling at 105 percent or more of[, or |
 
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scrap or a broken item selling at five percent or more than] the |
 
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scrap value of the item;   |
 
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                                     (E)    an item made wholly or partly from precious |
 
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metal and used for a dental, pharmaceutical, or medical |
 
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application; or |
 
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                                     (F)    an item made wholly or partly from precious |
 
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metal extracted, recovered, or salvaged from an industrial |
 
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by-product or industrial waste product. |
 
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                         (5-a)    "Jewelry store" means a retail establishment |
 
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that derives 75 percent or more of its annual revenue from the sale |
 
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to consumers of crafted precious metal or other items of personal |
 
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adornment, including watches, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, |
 
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rings, and earrings. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Section 1956.0612(c), Occupations Code, is |
 
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amended to read as follows: |
 
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             (c)    The commissioner shall prescribe the processing fee in |
 
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an amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this |
 
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subchapter [section]. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    Section 1956.0613, Occupations Code, is amended |
 
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to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  1956.0613.    INVESTIGATION BY COMMISSIONER. The |
 
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commissioner shall: |
 
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                         (1)    monitor the operations of a dealer to ensure |
 
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compliance with this subchapter [chapter]; and |
 
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                         (2)    receive and investigate complaints against a |
 
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dealer or a person acting as a dealer. |
 
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             SECTION  4.    Subchapter B, Chapter 1956, Occupations Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 1956.06131 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  1956.06131.    EXAMINATION BY COMMISSIONER. (a) At the |
 
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times the commissioner considers necessary, the commissioner or the |
 
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commissioner's representative may: |
 
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                         (1)    examine each place of business of each dealer; and |
 
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                         (2)    investigate the dealer's transactions and records, |
 
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including books, accounts, papers, and correspondence, to the |
 
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extent the transactions and records pertain to the business |
 
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regulated under this subchapter. |
 
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             (b)    A dealer shall: |
 
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                         (1)    give the commissioner or the commissioner's |
 
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representative free access to the dealer's office, place of |
 
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business, files, safes, and vaults; and |
 
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                         (2)    allow the commissioner or the representative to |
 
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make a copy of an item that may be investigated under Subsection |
 
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(a)(2). |
 
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             (c)    The commissioner or the commissioner's representative |
 
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shall examine under Subsection (a) at least 10 dealers each |
 
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calendar year. |
 
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             (d)    This section does not apply with respect to a jewelry |
 
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store. |
 
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             SECTION  5.    Subchapter B, Chapter 1956, Occupations Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 1956.0616 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  1956.0616.    NOTICE OF ENFORCEMENT ORDER. (a) As soon |
 
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as practicable after an enforcement order against a dealer for a |
 
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violation of this subchapter becomes final, including an order |
 
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assessing an administrative penalty or an order to pay restitution |
 
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under Section 14.251(b)(3), Finance Code, the commissioner shall |
 
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provide notice of the order to: |
 
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                         (1)    the chief of police of the municipality in which |
 
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the violation occurred; or |
 
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                         (2)    the sheriff of the county in which the violation |
 
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occurred, if the violation did not occur in
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