SB 2640
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
No new variance requests once a waiver is approved.
The bill says that once the state approves a waiver or emergency order letting non-certified people drive ambulances alongside certified EMTs and paramedics, that permission keeps going without the provider filing new variance requests. It touches emergency medical services providers, their drivers, and the Texas Department of State Health Services, which may write rules to explain the change. On the ground, EMS operations that rely on non-certified drivers can keep using them after the first approval instead of reapplying, starting September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the Senate Health & Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB2640 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel.
WHAT IT DOES
No new variance requests once a waiver is approved.
The bill says that once the state approves a waiver or emergency order letting non-certified people drive ambulances alongside certified EMTs and paramedics, that permission keeps going without the provider filing new variance requests. It touches emergency medical services providers, their drivers, and the Texas Department of State Health Services, which may write rules to explain the change. On the ground, EMS operations that rely on non-certified drivers can keep using them after the first approval instead of reapplying, starting September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Health & Human Services
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 · Jul 25, 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$60,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$60,000.00
- Cash
- $60,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $60,000.00
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 · Oct 15, 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.
Report IDs: 101012623, 101029380, 101072732.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$60,000.00
- Cash
- $60,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $60,000.00
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 · Oct 15, 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.
Report IDs: 101012623, 101029380, 101072732.
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 Senate · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 S Referred to Health & Human Services
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Health & Human Services · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 5556 by Alders (very similar)
Subjects
Health--Emergency Services & Personnel
Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions
Vehicles & Traffic--General
STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 170 words
By: Sparks S.B. No. 2640 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to waivers permitting non-certified drivers to operate in partnership with state-certified emergency medical personnel. 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.