SB917

Regular Session

Relating to certain boiler inspection reports and the composition and governance of the board of boiler rules.

ModeratePlan for compliance

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 (Strict adherence required immediately; no phase-in period provided).
Agency Rulemaking: While the deadline is statutory, TDLR may issue technical guidance regarding digital submission standards to accommodate the increased velocity of filings. Monitor the *Texas Register* through Summer 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Audit Vendor Contracts: Issue contract amendments to all boiler inspection agencies by June 1, 2025, enforcing a 5-day submission standard.
2. Update Compliance Calendars: Reconfigure all internal tracking software to flag inspections as "Overdue for Filing" on Day 6 post-inspection.
3. Dry Run: Implement the 10-day filing standard internally starting August 1, 2025, to identify and resolve bottlenecks before the law takes effect.
4. Verify Insurance: Confirm that inspection vendors carry adequate Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage that specifically addresses statutory deadline failures.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Action Required: Review and amend Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with third-party boiler inspection vendors.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Contractually require vendors to submit inspection reports to TDLR within 5 business days. Do not mirror the statutory 10-day limit; you require a buffer to resolve data errors before the legal deadline expires.
Indemnification: Update clauses to ensure vendors indemnify your organization for fines or business interruption costs resulting from a failure to file within the new 10-day statutory window.

Hiring/Training

Workflow Acceleration: Retrain administrative staff and field inspectors to move from "batch processing" (weekly/monthly) to "continuous processing" (daily). Field notes must be finalized and submitted within 48 hours of inspection.
Quality Assurance: Compress internal QA review cycles. Supervisors can no longer hold reports for weekly review; approvals must occur within 24 hours of data entry.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Tickler Systems: Update compliance software logic. Change automated "failure to file" alerts from Day 25 to Day 5.
Proof of Filing: Mandate that vendors provide digital confirmation of TDLR receipt. With the window tightened, the risk of administrative "gap periods"—where a boiler is technically operating without a valid certificate due to processing lag—increases significantly.

Fees & Costs

Direct Costs: No new statutory fees.
Indirect Costs: Potential "rush fees" from inspection agencies adjusting to the new timeline. Increased risk of penalties for operating without a certificate if the 10-day window is missed.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

"10th Day" Calculation: The statute specifies "not later than the 10th day," without explicitly stating "business days." Under the Code Construction Act, deadlines ending on weekends extend to the next business day, but relying on this is legally perilous. Operational Rule: Treat this as 10 calendar days.
Manner of Filing: The Executive Director retains discretion on *how* reports are filed. TDLR may enforce stricter digital submission protocols to manage the faster influx of data.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsOccupational Regulation Occupational Regulation--other Trades & Professions Safety Boilers

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 917
89R5370 EAS-F	By: Zaffirini
	Business & Commerce
	2/28/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law requires the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Boiler Rules, a ceremonial role that is outdated and inaccurately defines a board majority as five votes, which is incorrect, given that the board comprises 11 members. What's more, the law allows 30 days for boiler certificate inspection reports to be submitted, delaying the notification of potential safety hazards.

S.B. 917 would remove the requirement that the executive director serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Boiler Rules, correct the board voting rule by deleting the inaccurate number comprising a majority, and reduce the report submission window from 30 days to 10 days. These changes would streamline board operations, fix inaccurate voting procedures, and improve public safety through faster reporting.

As proposed, S.B. 917 amends current law relating to certain boiler inspection reports and the composition and governance of the board of boiler rules.

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 755.027(a), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(a) Requires the inspection agency employing an authorized boiler inspector, not later than the 10th, rather than 30th, day after the date on which a certificate inspection is performed by an authorized inspector, to file a report with the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (executive director) in the manner specified by the executive director.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 755.011(d) (relating to providing that TDLR's executive director serves as an ex officio board member of the board of boiler rules), Health and Safety Code.

Repealer: Section 755.018 (Majority Vote Required), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author

Coauthors (1)

Royce West (D)

House Sponsor

Rep. Dade PhelanRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 917

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to certain boiler inspection reports and the composition
	and governance of the board of boiler rules.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 755.027(a), Health and Safety Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a) Not later than the 10th [~~30th~~] day after the date on
	which a certificate inspection is performed by an authorized
	inspector, the inspection agency employing the authorized
	inspector shall file a report with the executive director in the
	manner specified by the executive director.
	SECTION 2. The following provisions of the Health and
	Safety Code are repealed:
	(1) Section 755.011(d); and
	(2) Section 755.018.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 3, 2025

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

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB917 by Zaffirini (Relating to certain boiler inspection reports and the composition and governance of the board of boiler rules.), 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, GDZ, BFa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB917

What does Texas SB917 do?

SB917 mandates a critical reduction in the boiler inspection reporting window, cutting the deadline for filing reports with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) from 30 days to 10 days. This change affects all Authorized Inspection Agencies and facility owners, creating a strict liability standard that threatens the timely issuance of Certificates of Operation if workflows are not accelerated immediately. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Strict adherence required immediately; no phase-in period provided).

Who authored SB917?

SB917 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

When was SB917 signed into law?

SB917 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB917?

SB917 is enforced by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

How urgent is compliance with SB917?

The compliance urgency for SB917 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB917?

The cost impact of SB917 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB917 address?

SB917 addresses topics including occupational regulation, occupational regulation--other trades & professions, safety and boilers.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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