In order to help reduce exposures to lead, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 544 (SB 544) in June of 1995, to ensure that individuals conducting lead-based paint abatements and removals in residential homes and multifamily dwellings are properly trained and certified by the state. As required by this legislation, DSHS has promulgated the Texas Environmental Lead Reduction Rules 25 TAC 295.201-220, which became effective on February 19, 1996. The rules were amended effective May 10, 1998 to include child-occupied facilities such as daycares and preschools, required by House Bill 729 (HB 729) passed by the 75th Legislature, 1997. The rules were amended again effective March 23, 2003, to align state rules with federal rules established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning lead hazard standards. On January 1, 2005, the rules were amended to accommodate the changes required by House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature, 2003, which revised Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC), §§12.0111 and 12.0112, to require two-year licenses effective January 1, 2005; and Senate Bill 1152, 78th Legislature, 2003, which amended Government Code (GC), Chapter 2054, regarding the TexasOnline Authority. These statutes required that two-year certifications and training accreditations (instead of 3-year terms) start being issued to new applicants and existing three-year certifications, and training accreditations had to be converted to two-year terms upon renewal. Language was also added that allows for the collection of annual subscription and convenience fees to recover costs associated with processing fee payments for applications through the Regulatory Services Online Licensing System.