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Repealed Sections 1953.151(b) and (c) which contained examination-related provisions.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
113–21
Passed · 9 other
Total votes 143
May 14, 2025
D
Democratic59
93% Yea
R
Republican84
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
Dade Phelan
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 4766
Scope: TX
Hi! I can help you understand HB 4766. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline