Senate passes cleanup bill to streamline regulation of hearing instrument fitters and dispensers
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Summary
Committee substitute Senate Bill 904 — a Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) cleanup bill — passed the Senate. The bill clarifies advisory-board consultation, removes a continuing-education exemption for new licensees and allows any licensed physician to sign certain authorization statements affecting minor access.
The Texas Senate passed committee substitute Senate Bill 904, described by sponsor Senator Dean Zaffirini as a TDLR-requested cleanup measure that updates licensing and regulation for hearing instrument fitters and dispensers.
Zaffirini told the chamber the bill would streamline the regulatory process by allowing the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to consult only with the relevant advisory board on hearing-instrument rules, remove a continuing-education exemption for new licensees in the first 24 months, and permit any licensed physician to sign authorization statements where required. The sponsor said the changes align state rules with federal requirements and aim to increase access to hearing instruments for minors.
Senate action: motion to suspend regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. Final tally on the floor showed 28 ayes and 3 nays on suspension and 28 ayes and 3 nays at passage to engrossment; final passage recorded 28 ayes and 3 nays on third reading recorded earlier in the sequence.