The board must enforce this chapter and prioritize complaints and investigations, and it may refer certain complaints to another licensing agency, present complaints to a prosecuting officer, assist in trials, and use subpoenas.
Sec. 1002.154. ENFORCEMENT; REFERRAL OF COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. (a) The board shall enforce this chapter. Any member of the board may present to a prosecuting officer a complaint relating to a violation of this chapter. The board through its members, officers, counsel, or agents may assist in the trial of a case involving the violation of this chapter, subject to the control of the prosecuting officer. (a-1) Complaints and investigations under this chapter are of two types: (1) complaints received from a member of the public; and (2) complaints and investigations that are initiated by the board as a result of information that becomes known to the board or board staff and that may indicate a violation. (a-2) The board by rule shall prioritize complaints and investigations. Rules adopted under this subsection must provide that: (1) a complaint that alleges an action that may harm the public takes precedence over a complaint that does not allege an action that may harm the public or may harm the public to a lesser degree; and (2) with regard to complaints that do not allege an action that may harm the public, a complaint filed by a member of the public takes precedence over a complaint initiated by the board. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the board shall refer a complaint or investigation involving the unlicensed practice of geoscience by a person who is licensed as an engineer, surveyor, driller, installer, or member of another similar profession to the agency that issued the license to the person. (c) The board may administer oaths and affirmations and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence. (d) The attorney general shall act as legal advisor to the board and shall provide legal assistance as necessary in enforcing this chapter. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 14A.004(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 504 (S.B. 940), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2009.