Texas Board adopts FY2026 expenditure budget, approves rule packages and multiple licensing conditions

The Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors on its August agenda adopted an expenditure budget for fiscal year 2026, directed publication of multiple rule-change packages to implement recent state laws, and approved a series of individual licensure actions and enforcement orders.

Why it matters: The budget sets a not-to-exceed expenditure ceiling and keeps current licensing fees unchanged while the agency implements a statutory transition from annual to two-year renewals. The rule packages, if adopted after public comment, will change renewal timing, continuing-education requirements, procedures for applicants with criminal histories and military applicants, and surveying exam rules, among other items.

Major actions (votes at a glance) - FY2026 expenditure budget: The board approved the agency's proposed expenditure budget as a not-to-exceed amount and recorded there will be no fee changes for the coming year. The motion to approve was made from the floor and seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

- Rule packages: The board voted to publish several rule-change items for public comment that were described as implementing 2025 legislation and other technical updates. The packages include rules tied to Senate Bill 681 (two-year renewals), Senate Bill 1080 (criminal-history and provisional-license changes), Senate Bill 1259 (surveying exam cleanup and ES exam split), and House Bill 5629 (expedited pathways for active-duty military, spouses and veterans).…