SB1376

Regular Session

Relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement officer in training.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Immediate operational adjustment required).
Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) will likely amend administrative rules to align with the statute. However, the statutory exemption is explicit and self-executing; you do not need to wait for TDLR rulemaking to utilize the exemption starting September 1, 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Audit Staffing: Determine if you currently employ a Registered Code Enforcement Officer. If yes, this law does not change your current operations.
2. Update Insurance: Secure written confirmation from your liability carrier that coverage extends to trainees operating without professional supervision.
3. Revise Protocols: Create a "Stop-Gap" policy. If your only registered officer resigns, you must have a policy ready that authorizes existing trainees to continue working unsupervised under SB1376.
4. Check Municipal Ordinances: Ensure local ordinances do not impose stricter supervision requirements than the state statute.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Client Service Agreements (Third-Party Firms): If you are a private firm contracting with municipalities, review your Master Service Agreements (MSAs). Even though state law permits unsupervised trainees, your contract may mandate "qualified" or "supervised" personnel. Do not breach your contract by relying solely on this statute.
Employment Agreements: Revise offer letters for trainees. Supervision clauses must be conditional: "Supervision is provided only while the Entity employs a Registered Code Enforcement Officer."

Hiring/Training

Staffing Strategy: You may now hire and deploy CEOITs in "solo" roles for smaller jurisdictions or satellite offices lacking senior staff.
Internal Oversight: Replace statutory supervision with managerial oversight. Establish a mandatory review process where a non-licensed manager reviews a percentage of the trainee’s citations to mitigate liability for erroneous enforcement.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Exemption Justification: Maintain a "Negative Declaration" file. For any period a trainee operates unsupervised, you must be able to prove via payroll records that the entity employed zero registered code enforcement officers at that specific time.
The "Trigger" Mechanism: Implement a protocol that flags the hiring of any Registered Code Enforcement Officer. The moment a registered officer is hired, the exemption expires, and all trainees must immediately be placed under statutory supervision.

Fees & Costs

Insurance Premiums: Consult your carrier regarding Professional Liability (E&O) and Public Officials Liability. Carriers may classify unsupervised trainees as high-risk; anticipate potential premium adjustments or coverage exclusions for acts performed without supervision.
No State Fee Changes: There are no changes to TDLR licensing fees.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Definition of "Employ": The statute does not specify if "employ" includes independent contractors or shared-service agreements (e.g., an Interlocal Agreement where a neighboring city's officer assists part-time). *Conservative Approach:* If you have access to a registered officer through any contractual mechanism, assume supervision is required until TDLR clarifies.
Scope of Authority: The law allows unsupervised trainees to "engage in code enforcement" but does not restrict high-stakes actions. *Risk Warning:* Do not allow unsupervised trainees to execute condemnation orders, demolition orders, or search warrants. Restrict their scope to inspection and citation until they are fully registered.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsOccupational Regulation Occupational Regulation--other Trades & Professions

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1376
89R11692 GP-D	By: Hughes
	Business & Commerce
	3/13/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1376 amends Section 1952.103(c) of the Occupations Code to adjust supervision requirements for code enforcement officers in training, aiming to enhance flexibility for Texas municipalities and employers. Currently, trainees must work under a registered code enforcement officer to enforce codes like zoning or building safety, ensuring oversight but straining small towns or firms without such staff. The bill allows trainees to operate unsupervised if their employer lacks a registered officer, while maintaining supervised training where possible. Targeting rural and understaffed areas, the bill promises faster code enforcement and career entry.

As proposed, S.B. 1376 amends current law relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement officer in training.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1952.103(c), Occupations Code, as follows:

(c) Creates an exception under this subsection. Authorizes a code enforcement officer in training, if the employer of the officer in training does not also employ a registered code enforcement officer, to engage in code enforcement without supervision.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Bryan HughesRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (1)

Charles Creighton (R)

House Sponsors

Rep. Gary VandeaverRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Cosponsors (1)

Phil King (R)

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1376

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement
	officer in training.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 1952.103(c), Occupations Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a [A]
	code enforcement officer in training may engage in code enforcement
	under the supervision of a registered code enforcement officer. If
	the employer of the code enforcement officer in training does not
	also employ a registered code enforcement officer, the officer in
	training may engage in code enforcement without supervision.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 17, 2025

TO:	Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1376 by Hughes (Relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement officer in training.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

452 Department of Licensing and Regulation

LBB Staff:

JMc, RStu, BFa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1376

What does Texas SB1376 do?

SB1376 amends the Texas Occupations Code to eliminate the supervision requirement for Code Enforcement Officers in Training (CEOITs), but only for entities that do not employ a registered code enforcement officer. This creates a bifurcated regulatory environment: entities with registered staff must maintain supervision logs, while those without registered staff may deploy trainees independently immediately upon hire. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Immediate operational adjustment required).

Who authored SB1376?

SB1376 was authored by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes during the Regular Session.

When was SB1376 signed into law?

SB1376 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1376?

SB1376 is enforced by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

How urgent is compliance with SB1376?

The compliance urgency for SB1376 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1376?

The cost impact of SB1376 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1376 address?

SB1376 addresses topics including occupational regulation and occupational regulation--other trades & professions.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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