Monitoring the Session

SB 627

bill cleaning up the dietitian licensing law

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 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 licensing and regulation of dietitians.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

The provisional title and the PLD letters go.

The bill cleans up the Texas dietitian licensing law by dropping the provisional licensed dietitian title and the PLD letters, removing 'fitness' from what the state sets as applicant qualifications, and pointing the penalty cross-reference to the general licensing agency chapter. It also repeals three existing sections of the dietitian chapter, which are identified only by number in this text. It touches licensed dietitians, applicants, and the state licensing commission and department, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: DO-OVER. Reworked text of a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 2016 (Vetoed). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Judith Zaffirini (D) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Gary VanDeaver (R) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB627 · 2024-12-16

SOLD BY

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDSenate 21

ITEM

relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

WHAT IT DOES

The provisional title and the PLD letters go.

The bill cleans up the Texas dietitian licensing law by dropping the provisional licensed dietitian title and the PLD letters, removing 'fitness' from what the state sets as applicant qualifications, and pointing the penalty cross-reference to the general licensing agency chapter. It also repeals three existing sections of the dietitian chapter, which are identified only by number in this text. It touches licensed dietitians, applicants, and the state licensing commission and department, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

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 1, 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-Constitutional 60-Day
  15. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  16. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  17. Vote recorded in Journal
  18. Three day rule suspended
  19. Record vote
  20. Read 3rd time
  21. Passed
  22. Record vote
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the Senate
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Public Health
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  30. Left pending in committee
  31. Considered in formal meeting
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  33. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  34. Committee report distributed
  35. Committee report sent to Calendars
  36. Considered in Calendars
  37. Placed on General State Calendar
  38. Read 2nd time
  39. Passed to 3rd reading
  40. Record vote RV#3088
  41. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote RV#3141
  45. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  46. House passage reported
  47. Reported enrolled
  48. Signed in the Senate
  49. Signed in the House
  50. Sent to the Governor
  51. Signed by the Governor
  52. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 103 yea · 34 nay

Senate · 31 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 · Mar 11, 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
103
Nay
34
Present, not voting
2
Absent
10
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3141

SB 627 was passed by (Record 3141): 103 Yeas, 34 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 103 (published)
  • Nay: 34 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 10 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea
106
Nay
33
Present, not voting
2
Absent
5
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3088

SB 627 was passed to third reading by (Record 3088): 106 Yeas, 33 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 106 (published)
  • Nay: 33 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Mar 11, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

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 627 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Mar 11, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

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 627 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Mar 11, 2025

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.

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: Not printed

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

Witnesses6
For
3
Against
0
On
3
Names

For

  • Harris County Commissioners Court1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Texas Academy of Nutrtionist & Dietetics1 registration

On

  • TDLR3 registrations
Sources

6 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 1, 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.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R SB 2016

by Sen. Zaffirini, same lead author · Vetoed · reworked

Introduced text

Last action, Jun 17, 2023: Vetoed by the Governor

Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Dec 16, 2024

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

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

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

Sponsors
Gary VanDeaverRHouse 1

House committee · Public Health · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

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

Subjects

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

DIETETICS & DIETITIANS

LICENSING & REGULATION, TEXAS COMMISSION OF

LICENSING & REGULATION, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 282 words

89R5470 DNC-F

By: Zaffirini
S.B. No. 627

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

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

SECTION 1. Section 701.151(b), Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(b) The commission or the department, as appropriate,

shall:

(1) adopt and publish a code of ethics;

(2) establish the qualifications [ and fitness ] of

applicants for licenses, including renewed and reciprocal

licenses; and

(3) request and receive any necessary assistance from

state educational institutions or other state agencies.

SECTION 2. Section 701.251(b), Occupations Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(b) Unless the person holds an appropriate license issued

under this chapter, a person may not:

(1) use the title or represent or imply that the person

has the title "licensed dietitian" [ or "provisional licensed

dietitian" ] or use the letters "LD" [ or "PLD" ]; or

(2) use a facsimile of that title [ those titles ] to

indicate or imply that the person is a licensed dietitian [ or

provisional licensed dietitian ].

SECTION 3. Section 701.304, Occupations Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 701.304. GROUNDS FOR REFUSING RENEWAL. The commission

or department may refuse to renew the license of a person who fails

to pay an administrative penalty imposed against the person under

Subchapter F, Chapter 51 [ K ], unless enforcement of the penalty is

stayed or a court has ordered that the administrative penalty is not

owed.

SECTION 4. The following provisions of the Occupations Code

are repealed:

(1) Section 701.002(9);

(2) Section 701.1511; and

(3) Section 701.403.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.