Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
4 further 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 1222
SB 1343 - Adds 2 members to the Texas Board of Nursing
SB 1414
SB 1429 - Standardized testing in nursing schools and it's acceptable uses
4 further bills that modify the Occupations Code
Published: 2026-03-11
Multiple short modifications
SB 1222 - 5 pages
This section deals with real estate appraisers, and now does not specifically apply to those who perform appraisals for the Practical Application of Real Estate Appraisal course. The appraisal board may create an investigate committee of at least 2 people to review and determine facts regarding a complaint and submit a timely report to the board.
SB 1343 - 4 pages
The Texas Board of Nursing now consists of 15 members, rather than the prior 13. There are now 7 (previously 6) nurse members of which now 2 must have advanced practice registered nurses. And there are now 5 (previously 4) members of the general public. The board can have advanced practice nurses provide expert reviews and assist with complaints and investigations. These individuals will review the matter and provide a report to the board.
SB 1414 - 6 pages
This creates a temporary board to do a review of veterinary practices. The board, the equine dental provider advisory committee and any other advisory committees shall provide advice and recommendations for technical matters. The board must adopt rules regarding the scop of practice or health-related standard of care for the practice of veterinary medicine.
This section sunsets on September 1, 2027.
SB 1429 - 3 pages
The board must adopt a standardized test for the school of nursing. This may not be a requirement for graduation. The test may be used to familiarize students with computerized testing (really there is so little out there now); assess students for purposes of admissions or evaluating strengths and weaknesses or identify those needing assistance; or assess the effectiveness of the school on trend data, comparing it to national averages, feedback from students, monitoring the effectiveness of specific areas of the curriculum, measure student mastery, or look at areas for changes in curriculum.
The standardized test may not count as more than 10% of the grade.
I don't have a specific issue with standardized testing, but I do have an issue finding out if curriculum is teaching to the test. Teaching should teach students basics and reasoning, and never teach to just to pass a test. This is how education goes downhill quickly. Also curriculum should not be so focused as to not permit variations in methods. For instance, in math common core is merely a different method of teaching math. Unfortunately most teachers do not understand this - or so it seems; creating a hate for the topic. At some point in my elementary, my teacher presented different methods for solving basic addition and subtraction. Some work for some students, and others work for other students. Honestly the more methods that are available provide the best chance of understanding. I'm sure there are things in nursing that do not have to be done a specific way, and ensuring different methods is important. For this, it could be that some work better for some patients than others. But I digress a bit here.
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