(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is to coordinate the respective responsibilities and duties of TBPG and TWDB in the regulation of professional geoscience in accordance with the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1002 (the Texas Geoscience Practice Act or TGPA). Senate Bill (SB) 138, which was passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Rick Perry, amended the TGPA. The legislation, which became effective September 1, 2013, requires the TBPG to identify relevant state agencies and educate the identified agencies' staff on how to file a complaint with the TBPG and how the TBPG resolves a complaint. Under the provisions of SB 138, a state agency that becomes aware of a potential violation of the TGPA or rules of the TBPG is required to forward the information to the TBPG. The intent of this MOA is to implement SB 138 and otherwise to protect the public from adverse environmental impacts that could result from the improper public practice of geoscience associated with activities regulated by the TWDB.     
      (b) Definitions. The words and terms used in this MOA shall have the same meaning as defined in the Texas Geoscience Practice Act and associated rules passed by the TBPG at Title 22, Part 39, Chapter 850 and Chapter 851 of the Texas Administrative Code unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.     
      (c) General Jurisdiction.      
        (1) TWDB jurisdiction. The TWDB is the state agency with primary responsibility for water planning and administering water financing for the state as per Section 6.06, Texas Water Code.       
        (2) The TBPG is the state agency with regulatory jurisdiction over the public practice of professional geoscience authorized by the TGPA. The TBPG licenses Professional Geoscientists, registers Geoscience Firms, and certifies Geoscientists-in-Training. The TBPG's mission is to protect public health, safety, welfare and the state's natural resources by ensuring that only qualified persons carry out the public practice of geoscience and enforcing the Code of Professional Conduct the Board has established for its licensees. TBPG has the authority to adopt and enforce rules consistent with TGPA relating to Geoscientists, and necessary for the performance of its duties. These TBPG rules are identified in Title 22, Part 39, Chapter 850 and Chapter 851 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC).       
        (3) The TWDB is an agency identified by the TBPG under the Texas Geoscience Practice Act, Section 1002.206       
      (d) Coordination of Activities. The TBPG and the TWDB agree to coordinate with each other in the following activities:      
        (1) The TBPG agrees to educate TWDB employees regarding the procedures by which complaints are filed with and resolved by the TBPG.       
        (2) The TWDB agrees to consult with the TBPG on issues that involve the public practice of professional geoscience in connection with activities under the jurisdiction or review of the TWDB.       
        (3) The TBPG agrees to consult with the TWDB on issues that involve the TWDB in connection with activities under the jurisdiction or review of the TBPG.       
        (4) The TBPG and the TWDB agree to designate a liaison or representative to facilitate communication and coordination between the TWDB and the TBPG.       
        (5) The TBPG and the TWDB agree to have agency representatives meet bi-annually, or as needed, to encourage increased communication between the agencies and discuss possible changes to this MOA as needed.       
      (e) Coordination of Complaints/Coordination of Information.      
        (1) Upon the identification by the TWDB of a potential violation of the TGPA or a rule adopted by the TBPG, the TWDB agrees to forward any information related to the potential violation and any subsequently obtained information to the TBPG.       
        (2) As provided in Texas Administrative Code §851.57, the TWDB will forward information relating to a potential violation to the TBPG by filing a formal complaint or providing information to TBPG on a prescribed form. The TWDB is responsible for informing the TBPG of any confidentiality provisions that apply to information and documents it forwards to the TBPG.       
        (3) The TBPG is responsible for taking appropriate actions, including consulting with TWDB as needed to ensure any applicable confidentiality provisions are maintained.       
        (4) Upon the identification by the TBPG of a potential issue of concern to TWDB, the TBPG agrees to forward any information related to the potential concern to the TWDB.       
        (5) When deemed appropriate by both agencies, the TWDB and the TBPG may cooperate on enforcement actions. Each agency shall retain the authority to undertake separate enforcement or legal actions.       
      (f) Miscellaneous.      
        (1) Nothing in this MOA shall be construed to reduce the statutory jurisdiction of either agency.       
        (2) Agency representatives shall meet bi-annually, or as needed, to discuss coordination of complaints under paragraph (c) of this MOA, to discuss possible changes in this MOA, to encourage increased communication between the agencies, and to increase public protection through effective use of the public protection mechanism of professional geoscience licensure and regulation.       
        (3) If any provision of this MOA is held to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.       
      (g) This MOA will take effect upon approval by both agency Executive Directors. This MOA will remain in effect until rescinded by either agency by board or commission action taken in accordance with the terminating agency’s procedures. Dated: June 13, 2014.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §354.13 adopted to be effective November 13, 2016, 41 TexReg 8827