By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 968 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 202.259, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 202.259. RESIDENCY [TEMPORARY] LICENSE. (a) The commission by rule may adopt a procedure for the issuance of a residency [temporary] license to an applicant [other than an applicant for a provisional license under Section 202.260]. (b) Rules adopted under this section must establish: (1) the criteria for issuance of a residency [temporary] license; and (2) a maximum period during which a residency [temporary] license is valid. SECTION 2. The following provisions of the Occupations Code are repealed: (1) Section 202.061; and (2) Section 202.260. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act to Section 202.259, Occupations Code, does not affect the validity of a license issued under that section before the effective date of this Act. A license issued under that section before the effective date of this Act that is in effect on that date expires according to the term provided on the date of issuance, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.