Sec. 51.351.  INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS.  (a)  The department may conduct inspections or investigations as necessary to enforce the laws administered by the department.
(b)  The department, during reasonable business hours, may:
(1)  enter the business premises of a person regulated by the department or a person suspected of being in violation of or threatening to violate a law establishing a regulatory program administered by the department or a rule or order of the commission or executive director related to a regulatory program administered by the department;  and
(2)  examine and copy records pertinent to the inspection or investigation.
(c)  A department employee may check the license, registration, or endorsement of a person regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under Section 1301.259 and report any noncompliance to that agency.
(d)  The department shall conduct joint investigations with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners as circumstances require.
(e)  The department may take action under Section 51.353 for a violation identified during an inspection.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 836, Sec. 36, eff. June 14, 2001;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 819, Sec. 27, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 663 (H.B. 1560), Sec. 1.09, eff. September 1, 2021.