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SB 1442 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to a study by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners on establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship by telephone or electronic means.

This bill requires the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to study whether veterinarians can establish a client-patient relationship via phone or electronic means (including video calls) without a physical animal exam. The study must examine technology availability, jurisdiction over out-of-state veterinarians, rules for affiliated practices, controlled substance prescriptions, and compliance with a 2024 court ruling. The Board must submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change current law but sets a process for evaluating potential policy updates.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2025 Last action May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 5, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten from a permanent law establishing veterinarian-client-patient relationships via telemedicine to a temporary study requiring the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to research and report on the feasibility of such relationships. The original bill would have immediately allowed telemedicine relationships, while the new version mandates a study to be completed by December 1, 2026, before any changes are made.
Scope change
Changed from immediate authorization of telemedicine veterinary relationships to a temporary study period requiring research and recommendations before any legislative action
REQUIREMENT

Removed immediate authorization for veterinarian-client-patient relationships to be established solely by telephone or electronic means

Added requirement for State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to conduct a comprehensive study on telemedicine veterinary practices

Added specific study considerations including audiovisual technology availability, jurisdiction over out-of-state veterinarians, prescription of controlled substances, and compliance with Hines v. Pardue court opinion

TIMELINE

Added study completion deadline of December 1, 2026, with report submission to governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative committees

Changed act expiration from permanent to December 31, 2026, making it a temporary study period

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'board' as State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2025

How they voted

26–4
Passed
Total votes 30
May 5, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
16 Yea 4 Nay
80% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
6
Committee
6
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.