Monitoring the Session

HB 4765

Phelan’s bill rewriting code enforcement officer rules

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Dade PhelanRHouse 21

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Officers defined as state or local government employees.

The bill rewrites the state rules for code enforcement officers and trainees, defining them as people who work for the state or a local government. It touches city, county and state code enforcement staff and the state licensing department that registers them. Local governments may use unregistered people for code enforcement only if those people hold another state license covering that work, applicants pay only an application fee to qualify, and renewal requires a renewal fee plus continuing education.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Dade Phelan (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4765 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training.

WHAT IT DOES

Officers defined as state or local government employees.

The bill rewrites the state rules for code enforcement officers and trainees, defining them as people who work for the state or a local government. It touches city, county and state code enforcement staff and the state licensing department that registers them. Local governments may use unregistered people for code enforcement only if those people hold another state license covering that work, applicants pay only an application fee to qualify, and renewal requires a renewal fee plus continuing education.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 22, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#2526
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#2640
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Business & Commerce
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  36. Laid before the Senate
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Vote recorded in Journal
  39. Three day rule suspended
  40. Record vote
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote
  44. Senate passage reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the House
  47. Signed in the Senate
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 122 yea · 18 nay

Senate · 29 yea · 2 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 15, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

Tyson D. Faust$75,000Tama Lundquist$75,000JLN III Holdings LLC$50K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 24, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Tyson D. Faust$75,000.00
Tama Lundquist$75,000.00
JLN III Holdings LLC$50,000.00

JLN III Holdings LLC

$50,000.00

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$50,000.00

Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 8, 2024 to Dec 2, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 11, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100987524.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

JLN III Holdings LLC

$50,000.00

Cash
$50,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$50,000.00

Also funds 2 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 8, 2024 to Dec 2, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 11, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100987524.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 4765 (Zaffirini) Relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training. (viva voce vote) (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
29
Nay
2
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 4765 (Zaffirini) Relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training. (viva voce vote) (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 29 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 4765 (Zaffirini) Relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training. (viva voce vote) (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks (29-2) "Nays" Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 15, 2025

Yea
122
Nay
18
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2640

HB 4765 was passed by (Record 2640): 122 Yeas, 18 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 122 (published)
  • Nay: 18 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
121
Nay
20
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2526

HB 4765 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2526): 121 Yeas, 20 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 121 (published)
  • Nay: 20 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses4
For
2
Against
0
On
2
Names

For

  • Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club2 registrations

On

  • TDLR1 registration
  • Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation1 registration
Sources

4 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 22, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors

House committee · Licensing & Administrative Procedures · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Business & Commerce · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Companion

SB 2440 by Zaffirini (identical)

Subjects

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

LICENSING & REGULATION, TEXAS COMMISSION OF

Text

The text as introduced · 701 words

89R10113 DNC-F

By: Phelan
H.B. No. 4765

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code

enforcement officers in training.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 1952.001, Occupations Code, is amended

by amending Subdivisions (2) and (2-a) and adding Subdivision (2-b)

to read as follows:

(2) "Code enforcement officer" means an individual

who:

(A) works for [ agent of ] this state or a

political subdivision of this state ; and

(B) [ who ] engages in code enforcement.

(2-a) "Code enforcement officer in training" means an

individual who:

(A) works for this state or a political

subdivision of this state; and

(B) engages in code enforcement under the

supervision of a code enforcement officer registered under this

chapter.

(2-b) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of

Licensing and Regulation.

SECTION 2. Section 1952.002, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.002. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. An individual

[ A person ] is not required to be registered under this chapter if

the individual [ person ]:

(1) is required to be licensed or registered under

another law of this state; and

(2) engages in code enforcement under that license or

registration.

SECTION 3. Section 1952.003, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.003. EMPLOYMENT OF REGISTERED INDIVIDUAL

[ PERSON ] NOT REQUIRED. This state or a political subdivision of

this state may engage in code enforcement without employing an

individual [ a person ] registered under this chapter , if the

individual who is engaging in code enforcement for the state or

political subdivision is exempt from registration under Section

1952.002 .

SECTION 4. Section 1952.101, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.101. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Except as permitted

by Section 1952.002, an individual [ a person ] may not claim to be a

code enforcement officer or use the title "code enforcement

officer" unless the individual [ person ] holds a valid certificate

of registration under this chapter.

SECTION 5. Section 1952.102, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.102. ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER AS CODE ENFORCEMENT

OFFICER. To be eligible to receive a certificate of registration as

a code enforcement officer, an individual [ a person ] must:

(1) submit an application in the manner and on the form

prescribed by the executive director;

(2) have at least one year of full-time experience in

the field of code enforcement;

(3) pass the examination required by the department;

(4) pay the application fee [ , examination, and

registration fees ]; and

(5) meet any other requirements prescribed by this

chapter or by commission rule.

SECTION 6. Section 1952.103(c), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(c) A code enforcement officer in training may engage in

code enforcement under the supervision of a [ registered ] code

enforcement officer registered under this chapter .

SECTION 7. Section 1952.104, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1952.104. RECIPROCAL REGISTRATION. On proper

application, the department shall issue a certificate of

registration to a license holder or registrant of another state

that has requirements for the licensing or registration of a code

enforcement officer that are at least substantially equivalent to

those of this state.

SECTION 8. Section 1952.105(a), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) A certificate of registration issued under this chapter

expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance and may be

renewed biennially on proper application, payment of the required

renewal fee , and [ on ] completion of the continuing education

requirements prescribed by commission rule.

SECTION 9. Section 1952.151(a), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission or executive director may deny an

individual's [ a person's ] application for a certificate of

registration if the individual's [ person's ] certificate or license

to engage in code enforcement or a related profession has been

revoked by another licensing entity in this state or another state

for:

(1) unprofessional conduct;

(2) fraud, deceit, or negligence; or

(3) misconduct in the practice of code enforcement or

a related profession.

SECTION 10. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.