HB 5556
bill keeping ambulance driver waivers going
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
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 waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Uncertified drivers stay approved without new variance requests after the first.
The bill makes state waivers that let uncertified people drive ambulances, alongside certified EMTs and paramedics, continue without the provider having to file new variance requests after the first approval. It touches emergency medical services providers, their drivers, and the Department of State Health Services, which may write rules to explain the change. On the ground, once a waiver is approved, an EMS operation can keep using uncertified drivers without going back to the state to re-justify it, starting September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 14, 2025 and referred to the House Public Health committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB5556 · 2025-03-14
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel.
WHAT IT DOES
Uncertified drivers stay approved without new variance requests after the first.
The bill makes state waivers that let uncertified people drive ambulances, alongside certified EMTs and paramedics, continue without the provider having to file new variance requests after the first approval. It touches emergency medical services providers, their drivers, and the Department of State Health Services, which may write rules to explain the change. On the ground, once a waiver is approved, an EMS operation can keep using uncertified drivers without going back to the state to re-justify it, starting September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Public Health
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
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 · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$35,275.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$35,275.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $275.00
- Total
- $35,275.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. 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: 100989514, 101008114, 101031097, 101071763.
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee$15,225.00
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee
$15,225.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $225.00
- Total
- $15,225.00
Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. 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: 100989514, 101008114, 101031097, 101068278, 101071763.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$35,275.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $275.00
- Total
- $35,275.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. 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: 100989514, 101008114, 101031097, 101071763.
Texas REALTORS Political Action Committee
$15,225.00
- Cash
- $15,000.00
- Paid by others
- $225.00
- Total
- $15,225.00
Also funds 140 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 2, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. 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: 100989514, 101008114, 101031097, 101068278, 101071763.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
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 14, 2025
04/07/2025 H Referred to Public Health: Apr 7 2025 5:28PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Public Health · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
SB 2640 by Sparks (very similar)
Subjects
Health--Emergency Services & Personnel
STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 180 words
By: Alders H.B. No. 5556 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 773, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding the following section: SECTION 773.055 EXTENSION OF NON-CERTIFIED DRIVING WAIVERS:(a) Any existing state waivers or emergency orders that allow non-certified individuals to serve as drivers for emergency medical services operations in partnership with state-certified emergency medical technicians and paramedics shall continue without requirements of variance requests after initial approval. (b) Any state waivers or emergency orders that allow non-certified individuals to serve as drivers for emergency medical services operations in partnership with state-certified emergency medical technicians and paramedics approved after the effective date of this Act shall continue without requirements of variance requests. (c) The Texas Department of State Health Services may issue rules to comply with this Act to ensure that providers understand updated requirements with the certification. SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.