Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2130

Filed

3/10/25

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to the regulation of certain transactions and activities involving the provision of veterinary services; authorizing civil penalties; creating criminal offenses.

Impact

If enacted, SB2130 will impose significant regulations on how private equity companies interact with veterinary service providers. The attorney general will have the authority to scrutinize transactions that may lessen competition or create monopolies in the veterinary services market. It mandates that private equity companies must notify the attorney general of proposed transactions and prohibits agreements that facilitate undue control over veterinary practices. This legislation represents a shift toward more stringent oversight of the veterinary services market, emphasizing consumer protection and competitive practices.

Summary

SB2130 is a bill that aims to regulate transactions and activities involving veterinary services, particularly those associated with private equity companies. The legislation introduces a new chapter in the Business and Commerce Code, detailing definitions, provisions for the review process of veterinary service provider transactions, and establishing prohibitions against certain conduct that could harm competition within the veterinary services market. The bill empowers the attorney general to review and approve or deny proposed transactions based on their impact on public interest and competition.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB2130 focus on the balance between regulating private equity interests and enabling veterinary service providers to operate efficiently. Proponents argue that the bill protects local practitioners and consumer interests by preventing monopolistic behaviors that could arise from private equity acquisitions. In contrast, opponents might contend that such regulations could stifle business growth and limit investment opportunities in veterinary services. The bill aims to ensure that the accessibility and quality of veterinary care are not compromised by financial interests that prioritize profit over animal welfare.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Occupations Code

Chapter 801. Veterinarians
- Section: 002

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX SB895

Relating to the regulation of money services businesses; creating a criminal offense; creating administrative penalties; authorizing the imposition of a fee.

TX HB2843

Relating to the authorization, licensing, and regulation of casino gaming and sports wagering in this state, to the creation, powers, and duties of the Texas Gaming Commission, to the support of the horse racing industry and reform of horse racing and greyhound racing, and to other provisions related to gambling; imposing and authorizing administrative and civil penalties; imposing taxes; imposing and authorizing fees; requiring occupational licenses; creating criminal offenses.

TX SB465

Relating to certain criminal conduct involving a catalytic converter; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties.

TX HB1942

Relating to the regulation of sports wagering; requiring occupational permits; authorizing fees; imposing a tax; decriminalizing wagering on certain sports events; creating criminal offenses; providing administrative penalties.

TX SB715

TX HB2324

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB4635

Relating to organized crime, racketeering activities, and collection of unlawful debts; providing a civil penalty; creating criminal offenses.

TX SB2245

Relating to the regulation of earned wage access services; creating a criminal offense; providing an administrative penalty; authorizing a fee.

TX HB1402

Relating to the criminal penalties for certain criminal offenses.

TX HB1601

Relating to defenses to prosecution of the criminal offenses of gambling, keeping a gambling place, and possession of a gambling device, equipment, or paraphernalia and county regulation of poker clubs; providing civil penalties; authorizing an occupational license; authorizing a fee; creating a criminal offense.