HB 1731 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the physician assistant licensure compact; authorizing a fee.

HB 1731 establishes Texas' participation in the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing PAs licensed in Texas to practice in other participating states without additional licensing. The bill authorizes a fee to cover administrative costs of the compact and creates a system for mutual recognition of licenses. Key provisions require PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located during care, and states participating in the compact retain authority to take adverse action against a PA's license. This directly affects physician assistants seeking to practice across state lines, including military families who can now more easily obtain licenses based on an existing good-standing license.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 12 edits · May 1, 2025
MAJOR
The bill text was reformatted from an 'Introduced' version to an 'Engrossed' version, with significant improvements to the definitions section and expanded provisions for state participation and commission operations. The changes clarify key terms, add new requirements for criminal background checks, and establish detailed rules for how the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact Commission will operate, including funding mechanisms and meeting procedures.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains the same (establishing a physician assistant licensure compact), but the operational details for participating states and the compact commission have been significantly expanded and clarified.
DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'Significant Investigative Information' to clarify when a licensing board must take action based on complaints or investigations.

Added new definition for 'State' to include states, commonwealths, districts, or territories of the United States.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for participating states including criminal background checks, complaint investigation mechanisms, and notification procedures.

Expanded the list of requirements for licensees seeking compact privilege to include unique identifiers, controlled substance license history, and adverse action reporting.

Added detailed provisions for the compact commission's establishment, including member selection, voting procedures, and meeting requirements.

Added extensive powers and duties for the compact commission, including rulemaking, legal proceedings, and property management.

Added detailed provisions for commission meetings, including public access requirements and closed session exemptions.

ENFORCEMENT

Added detailed provisions for adverse actions, including exclusive jurisdiction of the home state and authority for remote states to issue subpoenas.

Established joint investigation procedures allowing participating states to share investigative materials.

FISCAL

Added comprehensive financing provisions for the compact commission, including annual assessments from participating states and compact privilege fees from licensees.

Added specific rules for compact privilege fees and expiration conditions.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the entire bill text from an introduced draft to an engrossed version with improved spacing and formatting.

Floor votes · House Apr 30, 2025

How they voted

11721
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 143
Apr 30, 2025
D Democratic57
54 Yea 2 Nay 1
94% Yea
R Republican86
63 Yea 19 Nay 4
73% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
9
Committee
9
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors