Latest from the State Board

At its Jan. 24, 2007 meeting the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopted a change to Rule 519.72 and proposed changes to Rules 518.3 and 523.142.

The board adopted changes to Rule 519.72, Final Decisions and Orders. This rule makes it clear that the final decision in all enforcement cases rests with the board. Even in those cases where a hearing is held before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, the board may depart from the administrative law judge’s proposal for decision. The change adopted also requires the board to state its specific reasons and legal basis for changing the decision.

The board proposed changes to the following rules and voted to publish them for public comment:

• The proposed revision to Board Rule 518.13 will authorize the Executive Director to enforce Cease and Desist Orders that have been authorized for issuance by the Executive Committee and the Board as well as an Administrative Law Judge of the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The proposed rule also requires the Executive Director to consult with the Board’s Presiding Officer prior to assessing an administrative penalty.
• The proposed revision to Board Rue 523.142 removes any distinction regarding self-study courses from those approved by the Quality Assurance Services of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and courses without that approval. It also removes the limitation that self-study courses credit be limited to one half of the average course completion time.

The proposed changes to these rules can be found published in The Texas Register.

Public comments on the rules can be submitted to:

Jerry Hill, General Counsel
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
333 Guadalupe Tower 3 Ste 900
Austin TX  78701-3900