(a) In the event of a declared emergency or disaster, the Executive Director may implement one or more temporary measures, as provided in this section, if the following conditions exist:
  (1) The Governor of the State of Texas declares a disaster under Government Code, §418.014, or if the Executive Director determines that there is an emergency affecting the public health, safety, and welfare; and
  (2) the Executive Director, in consultation with the TBPG Board Chairman, determines that enacting available temporary measures is necessary in the specified disaster or emergency area.
(b) Emergency Response Actions.
  (1) Expiration dates for some or all license types may be extended. TBPG may extend the expiration date of a license as a Professional Geoscientist, a certification as a Geoscientist-in-Training, or a registration for a Geoscience Firm.
  (2) Temporary suspension of certain fees. TBPG may temporarily suspend the regular fees for duplicate license certificates, duplicate wall or wallet license expiration cards, or certain license verifications during the period of time that TBPG deems appropriate to address the emergency or disaster.
  (3) Continuing education requirements for the renewal of a license or certification may be temporarily suspended or deadlines extended.
  (4) The issuance of an emergency license as a Professional Geoscientist, valid for one year and is not renewable. To be eligible for an emergency license as a Professional Geoscientist under this section, an applicant must:
    (A) submit a completed application on the appropriate TBPG form;
    (B) provide proof of licensure in good standing as a Professional Geoscientist or Professional Geologist in another U.S. state jurisdiction;
    (C) follow all of the laws and rules applicable to the non-exempt public practice of geoscience in Texas, including the registration of a Geoscience Firm; and
    (D) pay the application and one-year license fee for the license for which the applicant has applied and any other applicable fee.
(c) The Executive Director, in consultation with the TBPG Board Chairman, may implement all or some contingent emergency response actions available under this section, depending on the circumstances and overall needs of the State of Texas and TBPG's licensees.
(d) The Executive Director may take other reasonable administrative actions warranted by the circumstances including, but not limited to, suspension of certain complaint investigations and complaint case adjudication actions, extension of deadlines in certain Board orders, suspension of certain continuing education audits, or expedition of certain Professional Geoscientist license or Geoscience Firm applications.
(e) The Executive Director shall ensure that notifications of emergency measures taken are communicated to all members of the Appointed Board, all affected license holders, and the general public, to the extent that it is feasible and as soon as it is feasible. The Executive Director may use various methods including, but not limited to, posting notices to the agency website and sending e-mails, letters, or postcards.
(f) Actions taken by the Executive Director under this section are effective only until the next regular or special meeting of the Appointed Board. The Appointed Board shall review all actions taken by the Executive Director under this section at the next regular or special meeting of the Appointed Board. The Appointed Board shall take action to either continue the actions taken by the Executive Director under this section for a specified amount of time, with or without modifications; or to discontinue the actions taken by the Executive Director under this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §851.85 adopted to be effective October 31, 2018, 43 TexReg 7140; amended to be effective March 6, 2022, 47 TexReg 947