HB 4766 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in training.

HB 4766 establishes certification requirements for sanitarians and sanitarians in training in Texas. It defines "sanitarian" as someone trained in environmental sanitation and creates a new category for "sanitarian in training" (those learning while working). The bill requires individuals using the title "sanitarian" to hold a state-issued certificate, which mandates a bachelor's degree with 30 science credits, additional training if needed, two years of sanitation experience, and passing an exam. This affects sanitation professionals seeking to use the title in their work. The legislation aims to standardize qualifications for these roles through the Texas Department of Health.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · May 15, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Occupations Code to regulate sanitarians and sanitarians in training. The changes primarily update definitions, registration requirements, and renewal procedures for sanitarians while maintaining the core regulatory framework. The bill also repeals certain examination-related sections and sets an effective date of September 1, 2025.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on regulating sanitarians in Texas, with no significant expansion or contraction of applicability beyond updating existing definitions and procedures.
DEFINITION

Updated definitions of 'Sanitarian' and 'Sanitarian in training' to clarify training requirements and experience thresholds.

REQUIREMENT

Modified eligibility requirements for sanitarian registration to include education, training, and experience criteria.

Updated certificate issuance and renewal procedures for both sanitarians and sanitarians in training.

Repealed Sections 1953.151(b) and (c) which contained examination-related provisions.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of September 1, 2025 for the new provisions.

TECHNICAL

Removed formatting inconsistencies and standardized bill text structure.

Floor votes · House May 14, 2025

How they voted

11321
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 143
May 14, 2025
D Democratic59
55 Yea 1 Nay 3
93% Yea
R Republican84
58 Yea 20 Nay 6
69% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
7
Committee
7
May 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
May 16, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dade Phelan
Dade Phelan
RRepublican
TX
21