BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2702 89R13331 CMO-D By: Creighton Business & Commerce 4/9/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires unique state testing for backflow prevention professionals. Backflow prevention ensures that contaminated water does not flow back into clean water supplies. This is critical in protecting public health and preventing potentially harmful waterborne illnesses. Properly tested, inspected, and repaired backflow prevention devices are essential to maintaining safe water systems in homes, businesses, and public facilities. A person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies must hold a license issued by TCEQ. Training and examination process must be from a TCEQ-approved provider, including the TCEQ backflow prevention assemble tester (BPAT) written and practical exams and the completion of a TCEQ-approved 40-hour BPAT course. Currently, 27 states use national accreditation standards for backflow prevention professionals that require that individuals have completed a qualified course of instruction, passed a written exam, and passed a practical exam covering the knowledge and skills needed to qualify as certified backflow professional. Allowing Texas to also recognize a BPAT certification from nationally accredited organizations will help reduce barriers to entry and support expansion of a qualified workforce for BPAT professionals. S.B. 2702 would allow a person who holds a certification issued by a nationally recognized accrediting organization to test backflow prevention assemblies as an alternative to holding a TCEQ BPAT license. This would help simplify licensing requirements and streamline the process to allow for more high-quality, certified professionals to enter the workforce. As proposed, S.B. 2702 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of persons who may repair or test backflow prevention assemblies. 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 341.034(c), Health and Safety Code, as follows: (c) Requires a person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies to: (1) creates this subdivision from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change; or (2) hold a certification issued by a nationally recognized accrediting organization qualifying the person to test backflow prevention assemblies. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2702
89R13331 CMO-D By: Creighton
Business & Commerce
4/9/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2702
89R13331 CMO-D
By: Creighton
Business & Commerce
4/9/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires unique state testing for backflow prevention professionals. Backflow prevention ensures that contaminated water does not flow back into clean water supplies. This is critical in protecting public health and preventing potentially harmful waterborne illnesses. Properly tested, inspected, and repaired backflow prevention devices are essential to maintaining safe water systems in homes, businesses, and public facilities.
A person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies must hold a license issued by TCEQ. Training and examination process must be from a TCEQ-approved provider, including the TCEQ backflow prevention assemble tester (BPAT) written and practical exams and the completion of a TCEQ-approved 40-hour BPAT course.
Currently, 27 states use national accreditation standards for backflow prevention professionals that require that individuals have completed a qualified course of instruction, passed a written exam, and passed a practical exam covering the knowledge and skills needed to qualify as certified backflow professional. Allowing Texas to also recognize a BPAT certification from nationally accredited organizations will help reduce barriers to entry and support expansion of a qualified workforce for BPAT professionals.
S.B. 2702 would allow a person who holds a certification issued by a nationally recognized accrediting organization to test backflow prevention assemblies as an alternative to holding a TCEQ BPAT license. This would help simplify licensing requirements and streamline the process to allow for more high-quality, certified professionals to enter the workforce.
As proposed, S.B. 2702 amends current law relating to the licensing and regulation of persons who may repair or test backflow prevention assemblies.
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 341.034(c), Health and Safety Code, as follows:
(c) Requires a person who repairs or tests the installation or operation of backflow prevention assemblies to:
(1) creates this subdivision from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change; or
(2) hold a certification issued by a nationally recognized accrediting organization qualifying the person to test backflow prevention assemblies.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.