SB 2155 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation of veterinary professionals and facilities by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the temporary administration of the board by the Department of Licensing and Regulation.

SB 2155 amends Texas law to transfer the day-to-day management of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to the Department of Licensing and Regulation. This change directly affects veterinary professionals, facilities, and the board itself, as the department will now handle administrative duties like personnel, finances, and licensing operations. Key provisions include defining "veterinary medical facility" and requiring the department's executive director to oversee the board's operations, including budgeting, payroll, and enforcement. The bill shifts responsibility from the board's own leadership to the state department for routine management tasks. It became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the governor's signature.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 10 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MAJOR
This bill updates the Texas Occupations Code to modernize the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners' operations, improve transparency, and enhance enforcement capabilities. Key changes include adding new definitions for veterinary facilities and management organizations, clarifying executive director authority, expanding public access to complaint data, and introducing new enforcement tools like risk-based inspections and deferred sanctions.
Scope change
The bill expands the Board's regulatory authority and enforcement mechanisms while maintaining the same applicability to veterinary professionals and facilities in Texas.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'veterinary medical facility' and 'management services organization' to clarify regulatory oversight.

REQUIREMENT

Modified executive director appointment and dismissal procedures to clarify authority and accountability.

Modified complaint investigation procedures to require distinguishing complaint categories and preventing dismissal without consideration.

Modified confidentiality provisions to balance public access with protection of sensitive information.

ADDED

Added new Section 801.163 requiring the Board to implement technology policies for public internet interaction.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new Section 801.1631 allowing the Board to conduct inspections and investigations to enforce laws.

Modified Section 801.164 to prioritize risk-based inspections and allow alternative inspection methods like videoconferencing.

Added new Section 801.165 allowing the Board to order refunds to consumers instead of or in addition to penalties.

Added new Section 801.166 allowing the Board to enter reciprocity agreements with other states for licensing.

Added new Section 801.4011 allowing the Board to defer final sanctions if the person meets imposed conditions.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2025 · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

272
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 8, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
17 Yea 2 Nay 1
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
70
Key actions
23
Committee
14
Amendments
7
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate adopts conference committee report
upper
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
House adopts conference committee report
lower
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
House grants request for conference committee
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate requests conference committee-reported
lower
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate requests conference committee
upper
May 22, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 20, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (124-16-3)
house
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture & Livestock
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors