Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
3 bills that modify the Occupations Code
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.
Blog Summary
SB 1523
SB 1850
SB 1852 - Active shooter training
3 bills that modify the Occupations Code
Published: 2026-03-19
Multiple short modifications
SB 1523 - 2 pages
If the board determines a complaint made against a veterinarian is baseless or unfounded, the they must dismiss the complaint before the 180th day of their investigation. They must also include a statement that the complaint was baseless or unfounded.
SB 1850 - 2 pages
The governor designates a veterinary member to be the presiding officer of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
HB 1852 - 3 pages
Peace officers must complete at least 16 hours of responding to an active shooter. This is developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University - San Marcos. This must be completed by the first full period of continuing education training after they are licensed, unless it was part of their basic training.
While I believe officers should know how to respond, active shooters are considered the rarest of events. Most of these are resolved in under 30 minutes. However, active shooter numbers were increasing through 2023. In 2024 the numbers were cut in half with the number of deaths 57% lower. I didn't find final numbers for 2025 but an article referenced that preliminary data seemed to show a downward trend. While training is important for what to do, I sincerely hope they are learning about prevention. Not because I believe the officers may be there preventing the incidents, but they could be providing this information to the community to help ensure the numbers continue to go down.
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