Agency Review of Existing Rules
Four Year Rule Review – Texas Government Code §2001.039
TBPG conducted its last four-year rule review in 2021-2022. Per Texas Government Code §2001.039, every state agency in Texas must review and consider each of its rules for re-adoption at least every four years. November 2020 and into 2021, each section of TBPG’s rules were reviewed individually to assess whether the reasons for initially adopting the rules still exist.
Changes that are proposed to TBPG rules as a result of the Rule Review will occur via the normal State rule making process conducted through the Texas Register. In this process, the Appointed Board publicly votes on proposed Rule changes during a Board meeting. The proposed Rule changes are posted by the Appointed Board to the Texas Register and the public is given a certain window of time to submit comments. The Appointed Board again meets to consider these comments under a formal review process, having formal consideration requirements, before voting whether to adopt the Rule changes.
~Resources~
Please note the following links for information regarding TBPG’s review of its rules in 2020-2021:
- Process and Timeline
- General Outline
- Guiding Principles – The set of guiding principles that the Board is using to guide its rule review process
- Committee Assignment Guidance Document – The general description of TBPG’s standing committees, ad hoc committees, and advisory workgroups, and which rules are generally under the purview of each committee
- TBPG Rules (pdf) or TBPG Rules (doc)
- Texas Geoscience Practice Act (pdf)
- Texas Occupations Code 1002.151 – This section of the Texas Geoscience Practice Act requires the Board to adopt and enforce rules consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act and necessary for the performance of its duties
- Texas Government Code 2001.039 – This section of the Texas Government Code requires state agencies to review and consider for re-adoption each of its rules at least every four years
- TBPG Rule 850.65 – This rule gives you the right to petition the Board for rule change at any time