The adopted rules update the codes adopted by reference from the 2021 editions to the 2024 editions of the International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, and Uniform Mechanical Code; remove obsolete provisions related to the certified technician legacy designation; clarify certified technician examination eligibility requirements; and update references to Texas Education Agency rules.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5778).  The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

The adopted rules implement Senate Bill 968, 89^th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), which repealed unique training requirements for members of the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board; replaced references to “temporary residency licenses” with “residency licenses”; and repealed provisional licenses.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5791).  The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

The adopted amendments implement Senate Bill 2443, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), and modernize the delivery of contested case pleadings, notices, and orders by allowing applicants and license holders to be served electronically under certain conditions. The adopted rules additionally provide for electronic notice of dishonored payments.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5773). The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

The adopted amendments implement Senate Bill 2443, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), and modernize the delivery of contested case pleadings, notices, and orders by allowing applicants and license holders to be served electronically under certain conditions. The adopted rules additionally provide for electronic notice of dishonored payments.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5773). The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

The adopted rules implement Senate Bill (SB) 904 and SB 2075, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), and update and clarify existing rules. The adopted rules remove the requirement that three advisory board members’ six-year terms all expire on February 1 of odd numbered years; extend the advisory board presiding officer’s term from one year to two years; require first-time renewal applicants for a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license to complete 20 hours of continuing education; remove the exception that allowed license renewal for licensees who did not meet the continuing education requirements during their first 24 months of licensure; update and clarify the rules regarding the sale of hearing instruments; and add a provision that allows hearing instruments to be sold to a minor with a written statement from any licensed physician, not just a physician specializing in diseases of the ear.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5787).  The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

The adopted rules implement Senate Bill (SB) 904, SB 905, and SB 2075, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025), and update and clarify existing rules. The adopted rules remove the obsolete definition of “Provisional Licensee”; remove the requirement that three advisory board members’ six-year terms all expire on February 1 of odd-numbered years; extend the advisory board presiding officer’s term from one year to two years; update and clarify existing rules relating to the requirements for licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant and as an audiologist; and update and clarify the rules regarding the sale of hearing instruments.

The adoption justification was published in the August 28, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 5781).  The updated rule chapter will be available in the Texas Administrative Code upon its effective date of September 1, 2026.

From August 29 through August 31, 2026, the EPA waiver allows the distribution and sale of gasoline with a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of up to 9.0 psi, or 10.0 psi when blended with 9 to 15 percent ethanol. Beginning September 1, 2026, the EPA waiver permits the higher RVP limits ordinarily applicable starting September 16 to take effect early. This allows an early transition to higher-volatility gasoline commonly referred to as winter gasoline.

TDLR regulates motor fuel quality, labeling, and measurement under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2310 and 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 97, including the adoption of ASTM D4814 as the applicable standard for automotive gasoline. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2310 also governs the vapor pressure tolerance of gasoline-ethanol blends and prohibits the retail sale of new stocks of a higher volatility classification before the effective date of that classification.

During the period specified by the EPA waiver issued August 20, 2026, and any subsequent renewal periods, TDLR will exercise enforcement discretion with respect to RVP requirements administered by TDLR under Texas Occupations Code §2310.2031 and 16 Texas Administrative Code §97.3 as they relate to RVP specifications for gasoline and gasoline-ethanol blends. This will allow:

• The sale and distribution of gasoline with an RVP of up to 9 psi, or 10 psi when blended with 9 to 15 percent ethanol from August 29 through August 31, 2026.
• The sale and distribution of gasoline with an RVP of up to 10 psi, or 11 psi when blended with 9 to 15 percent ethanol from September 1 through the expiration of the applicable federal waiver.

This exercise of enforcement discretion is limited solely to RVP related requirements and does not extend to other applicable fuel quality, labeling, or measurement standards under Texas law or TDLR rules. Additionally, this memorandum does not modify or waive the requirements administered and enforced by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or any other state or local government entity. This memorandum supersedes the TDLR memorandum dated April 14, 2026. Following the expiration of the EPA waiver, TDLR will continue to exercise enforcement discretion for a period of 45 days to allow suppliers time to readjust.

To give retailers extra time to adjust to new compliance requirements, TDLR is temporarily suspending enforcement of the following administrative rules until November 1, 2026:

• §71.41- Requirements of Contract–Disclosures
• §71.43 – Educational Materials

For more information about the program, please visit the Residential Solar Retailers program page.

Contact: TDLR Customer Service.

The investigation began in June 2026 after local retailers requested assistance with multiple reports of point-of-sale skimming devices. Investigators determined the suspects were installing skimming devices at payment terminals throughout West Texas to steal Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information and credit card data from consumers in Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo.

“Financial crimes like skimming don’t just steal money—they undermine confidence in the everyday transactions Texans rely on,” said Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Executive Director Courtney Arbour. “This investigation reflects the strength of the partnerships between FCIC, our law enforcement partners, and retailers across the state. Working together, we are protecting Texans and disrupting organized criminal activity.”

“The economy of Texas and all of the United States is under attack from multiple transnational criminal groups looking to steal as much as they can from an open and free market society,” said Texas FCIC Director, Adam Colby. “The Texas FCIC exists to prevent as much financial loss as possible and dismantle the criminal groups responsible. The Texas FCIC’s primary mission is to protect Texans and the Texas economy. This case is another example of what the FCIC does every day.”

Working with local retailers, FCIC Special Agents along with Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene police departments developed investigative leads that identified the suspects traveling between West Texas and the San Antonio area and obtained warrants for their arrest. Investigators determined that the three suspects are Romanian nationals believed to be affiliated with a large transnational organized crime group.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, FCIC Special Agents, with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division (San Antonio), Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested the three suspects in the 2300 Block of Austin Highway in San Antonio.

During the investigation, law enforcement recovered multiple point-of-sale skimming devices, preventing an estimated $6 million in financial losses to Texas consumers and businesses.

All three suspects were booked into the Bexar County Jail and have each been charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony. These cases will be prosecuted in Randall, Lubbock, Potter, and Bexar counties.

The following individuals were arrested:

• Sebastian Ionut Stefan Bratu
• Francesco Matei
• Iosiv-Roberto Curea

Consumers can help protect themselves from skimming by inspecting card readers before use, covering the keypad when entering a PIN, monitoring account activity regularly, and promptly reporting suspicious transactions to their financial institution. Anyone who suspects a credit card skimmer on a gas pump should report it.

What are the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes:

• Prohibit a lottery retailer from selling more than 100 lottery tickets to one person in a single transaction;
• Require lottery tickets to be purchased in person at a licensed retail location during normal business hours and prohibit ticket purchases or sales through a telephone, Internet application, or mobile application;
• Require retailers to verify that each ticket purchaser is at least 18 years old by electronically reading the purchaser’s driver license, commercial driver license, or personal identification certificate, with visual inspection allowed when the electronic information cannot be read;
• Prohibit retailers from knowingly selling or allowing the sale of draw-game tickets to persons attempting to buy all or substantially all possible winning combinations, and provide for license revocation and a one-year waiting period before reapplying;
• Update the enforcement rules and Standard Penalty Chart to reflect the new sales requirements and prohibited conduct;
• Generally limit each licensed retail location to five traditional lottery terminals, while allowing additional terminals when approved for legitimate retail activity or temporary promotional events; and
• Remove a duplicate bingo advisory committee rule, update references to reflect the transfer of the Texas Lottery to TDLR, and make related cleanup changes.

When and where can I review the proposed rule changes?

The proposed rule changes will be published in the Proposed Rules section of the Texas Register on August 31, 2026. To locate these proposed rule changes on or after that date just follow these steps:

1. Click this link to the Texas Register.
2. Select html or pdf format for the “Current Issue” if the date shown is the date published, or under “Previous Issues” if more than a week has passed since publication. (The Texas Register is published each Friday.)
3. Scroll down and click on “Proposed Rules.”
4. Look for the heading “Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation” and click the subheading “Administration of Texas Lottery and Charitable Bingo.”

How and where can I submit comments and information on the proposed rule changes?

Comments and information on the proposed rule changes may be submitted online; by facsimile to (512) 344-5189; or by mail to Dorota Bienkowska, Legal Assistant, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Lottery and Charitable Bingo Division, P.O. Box 16630, Austin, Texas 78761-6630.

Any information that is submitted must include an explanation of how and why the submitted information is specific to the proposed rule changes. Please do not submit copyrighted, confidential, or proprietary information.

The Department will accept comments and information on the proposed rule changes until August 31, 2026.

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