Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion

, IiKE NEY GENERAL. Mr. Edmund Tobola, President Opinion No. C-570 State Board of Barber Examiners Austin, Texas Re: Whether the State Board of Barber Examinershave the authority under Section 11, Article 734a of Vernon's Penal Code, in light of sub- sequent amendments to Article 734a, to require all appli- cants for enrollment in barber schools to appear be- fore the Board to determine their "educationalfitness" prior to enrollment in a barber school and the issuance of a student permit Dear Mr. Tobola: and/or certificate. In your letter of November 3, 1965, to this office, you request our opinion as to whether the 1961 amendment of Section 9 of Article 734a, Vernon's Penal Code, supersedes the provisions of Section 11 of Article 734a authorizingthe State Board of Barber Examiners to conduct an examinationof applicants prior to their enrollment in barber schools to determine their edu- cational fitness. In answering your question, we look to the provisions of Section 11 and to the provisionsof Section 9, as amended in 1961, of Article 734a. We note that Section 11 of Article 734a has not been amended since its enactmentby the Legislature in 1929. Section 11 of Article 734a provides and we quote as follows: "Sec. 11. The Board shall conduct examination of applicants for certificatesof registrationto practice as registeredbarbers and of applicants -2?56- Mr. Edmund Tobola, page 2 (C-570) for certificatesof registrationto practice as registered assistantbarbers and of annlicants to enter barber schools to determine their educational fitness. not less than four times each year, at such times and places as the Board mav determine and desisnate. . . .I' (Emphasisadded) Section 9,of Article 734a was amended in 1961 to read and we quote in part as follows: "Sec. 9. (a) . . . and no certificateor permit shall be issued as provided for herein to an applicant to be a student in such a school or college unless said applicant demonstrates 1 his or her abi i write clearlv the Enslish lancuaue determined bv an examinationconducted by the school or college." (Emphasisadded) Upon examinationof the above quoted provisions,there obviously exists a conflict as to who shall conduct the edu- cational fitness examinationof applicants to be students. Section 11 of Article 734a authorizes the Board of Barber Btaminers to conduct this examinationand Section 9 (a) of Article 734a autho- rizes the barber school or college to conduct such examination. To resolve this conflict, we are of the opinion that you must look to the intent of the Legislaturewhen it amended Section 9 of Article 734a. By amending Section 9 of Article 734a in such a way as to be conflicting,inconsistent.and re- pugnant with Section 11 of Article 734a, evidences an intent; in our opinion, that the Legislatureintended that Section 11 of Article 734a be repealed insofar as it is in conflict with Section 9 (a). First National Bank v. Lee Countv Cotton Oil Co., 250 S.W. 313, (Tex.Civ.App.1923), affirmed First National Bank of Giddinos v. Lee Countv Cotton Oil Co., 274 S.W. 127, (Coaun.App. 1925). Although the Legislaturedid not expressly repeal Section 11 of Article 734a when it amended Section 9 of such Article in 1961, we are of the opinion that Section 9 (a) does repeal Section 11 by implication,insofar as the provisions of -275-i- Mr. Edmund Tobola, page 3 (C-570) these sections are in conflict. The doctrine of implied repeal rests on the principle that the last expression of the law- makers will be given effect. 53 Tex.Jur.Zd 149, Statutes, Sec. 101. To the extent that Section 11 of Article 734a is inconsistent,repugnant, and in conflict with Section 9 (a) of Article 734a. it is repealed by necessary implication. State ex rel. Martin v. Citv of Waxahachie, 240 S.W.2d 971 (Tax. App. 1952, no history). Since we are of the opinion that the prwisions of Section 11 of Article 734a are repealed by implicationinsofar as they conflict with Section 9 (a) of Article 734a, you are respectfullyadvised that the Board of Barber Examiners has no authority to require applicants for enrollment in barber schools or colleges to appear before the Board to determine their "educationalfitness'!prior to enrollment in such barber schools or colleges. SUMMARY Section 11 and Section 9 (a) of Article 734a, Vernon's Penal Code, are in conflict, and to the extent that Section 11 conflicts with Section 9 (a), it is repealed by necessary implication. Therefore, the Board of Barber Examiners is without authority to require applicants for enrollment in barber schools or colleges to appear before the Board to determine their "educationalfitness'*prior to enrollment in such barber schools or colleges. Yours very truly, WAGGONER CARR Attorney General Assistant DA:ra -2x8- Mr. Edmund Tobola, page 4 (C-570) APPRCWH): OPINION CCMMITTEE W. V. Geppert, Chairman Pat Bailey W. 0. Shultz J. C. Davis Roy Johnson APPROVEDFCRT'HEATTORNEYGENERAL By: T. B,.Wright -2759-