The bill, S.B. No. 1259, aims to enhance the regulation of land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. It introduces new provisions that allow the advisory committee to prepare written reports or recommendations on surveying-related subjects and mandates the maintenance of a public record of discussions and actions taken during committee meetings. Additionally, the bill amends existing qualifications for obtaining a surveyor-in-training certificate and registration as a registered professional land surveyor, including the requirement for passing specific examinations and completing relevant educational and experiential prerequisites.

Key amendments include the addition of new subsections that clarify the examination requirements for both surveyor-in-training and registered professional land surveyor applicants, as well as the replacement of certain educational requirements to emphasize land surveying over civil engineering. The bill also repeals a previous subsection related to surveyor-in-training applications and sets a deadline for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to adopt necessary rules by December 1, 2025. The changes will apply only to applications submitted after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 1001.216, Occupations Code 1001.601, Occupations Code 1071.253, Occupations Code 1071.254, Occupations Code 1071.256 (Occupations Code 1001, Occupations Code 1071)