Monitoring the Session

SB 1255

small changes to the mold licensing law

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21
Corrected Oct 31, 2026

Corrected Oct 31, 2026 · We checked this summary against the bill text and fixed it.

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 mold assessors and remediators.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Disaster demolition is exempt from mold licensing. Mycotoxins come out of the mold definition.

The bill makes small changes to the state law that licenses mold assessors and mold cleanup workers. It drops mycotoxins from the legal definition of mold, exempts the demolition of a structure after a fire or other disaster from the mold rules, slightly rewords the mold advisory board's advisory role, and repeals one subsection of the licensing law without showing that subsection's text. Mold licensees and demolition crews working after disasters are affected starting September 1, 2025, for conduct on or after that date.

Labels

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

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1255 · 2025-02-13

SOLD BY

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

ITEM

relating to the regulation of mold assessors and remediators.

WHAT IT DOES

Disaster demolition is exempt from mold licensing. Mycotoxins come out of the mold definition.

The bill makes small changes to the state law that licenses mold assessors and mold cleanup workers. It drops mycotoxins from the legal definition of mold, exempts the demolition of a structure after a fire or other disaster from the mold rules, slightly rewords the mold advisory board's advisory role, and repeals one subsection of the licensing law without showing that subsection's text. Mold licensees and demolition crews working after disasters are affected starting September 1, 2025, for conduct on or after that date.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 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. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Business & Commerce
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Vote taken in committee
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  11. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  12. Committee report printed and distributed
  13. Placed on intent calendar
  14. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  15. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  16. Vote recorded in Journal
  17. Three day rule suspended
  18. Record vote
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote
  22. Reported engrossed
  23. Received from the Senate
  24. Read first time
  25. Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
  26. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  27. Considered in public hearing
  28. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  29. Left pending in committee
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  32. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  33. Committee report distributed
  34. Committee report sent to Calendars
  35. Considered in Calendars
  36. Placed on General State Calendar
  37. Read 2nd time
  38. Passed to 3rd reading
  39. Record vote RV#3099
  40. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote RV#3148
  44. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  45. House passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the Senate
  48. Signed in the House
  49. Sent to the Governor
  50. Signed by the Governor
  51. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 123 yea · 23 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 21, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 10, 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

Judith Zaffirini

Donors

Carlos M. Zaffirini Jr$110,000Killam Development Ltd.$73KTexas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$60K

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 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.

Carlos M. Zaffirini Jr$110,000.00
Killam Development Ltd.$72,700.00

Killam Development Ltd.

$72,700.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$62,700.00
Total
$72,700.00
advertising $33,000.00media $29,700.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 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: 101011018, 101057658.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$60,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 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: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.

Money

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

×

Killam Development Ltd.

$72,700.00

Cash
$10,000.00
Paid by others
$62,700.00
Total
$72,700.00
advertising $33,000.00media $29,700.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 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: 101011018, 101057658.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$60,000.00

Cash
$60,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$60,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 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: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.

Votes5

House May 21, 2025

Yea
123
Nay
23
Present, not voting
2
Absent
0
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3148

SB 1255 was passed by (Record 3148): 123 Yeas, 23 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 123 (published)
  • Nay: 23 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea
113
Nay
25
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3099

SB 1255 was passed to third reading by (Record 3099): 113 Yeas, 25 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 113 (published)
  • Nay: 25 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
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.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. (Same as previous roll call)

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
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.

Sources

Senator Zaffirini moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 1255 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
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.

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

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

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: 1 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses3
For
1
Against
0
On
2
Names

For

  • Self1 registration

On

  • TDLR1 registration
  • Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation1 registration
Sources

3 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 I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 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 Senate · Filed Feb 13, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Oct 31, 2026 at 4:35 PM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Dade PhelanRHouse 21

House committee · Licensing & Administrative Procedures · Committee vote 13 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Business & Commerce · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Occupational Regulation--Health Occupations

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

MOLD & MOLD REMEDIATION

Text

The text as introduced · 382 words

89R7995 AND-F

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 1255

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of mold assessors and remediators.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1958.001(4), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(4) "Mold" means any living or dead fungi or related

products or parts, including spores and [ , ] hyphae[ , and

mycotoxins ].

SECTION 2. Section 1958.002(b), Occupations Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) the following activities when not conducted for

the purpose of mold assessment or mold remediation:

(A) routine cleaning;

(B) the diagnosis, repair, cleaning, or

replacement of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning,

electrical, or air duct systems or appliances;

(C) commercial or residential real estate

inspections; and

(D) the incidental discovery or emergency

containment of potential mold contamination during the conduct or

performance of services listed in this subsection;

(2) the repair, replacement, or cleaning of

construction materials during the building phase of the

construction of a structure;

(3) the standard performance of custodial activities

for, preventive maintenance of, and the routine assessment of

property owned or operated by a governmental entity; [ or ]

(4) a pest control inspection conducted by a person

regulated under Chapter 1951 ; or

(5) demolition of a structure after a fire or other

disaster .

SECTION 3. Section 1958.034, Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

Sec. 1958.034. DUTIES. The advisory board may advise the

commission and department on:

(1) technical matters relevant to the administration

of this chapter;

(2) standards of [ or ] performance and work practices

for mold assessment or remediation;

(3) qualifications for the issuance or renewal of a

license, including any training or continuing education; and

(4) other issues affecting mold assessment and

remediation.

SECTION 4. Section 1958.102(b), Occupations Code, is

repealed.

SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to conduct that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.

Conduct that occurs before the effective date of this Act is

governed by the law in effect on the date the conduct occurred, and

the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.