Houston Republic

Rep. Ana Hernandez introduced HB 2186, a bill on Occupational Regulation, to the Texas House on Tuesday, April 8 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.

More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the regulation of elevator mechanics, elevator apprentices, and contractors; requiring an occupational registration’’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

This bill amends the Health and Safety Code to regulate elevator mechanics, apprentices, and contractors through a mandatory occupational registration process effective Sept. 1, 2025. It defines "contractor," "elevator mechanic," and "elevator apprentice" roles, requiring registration for individuals performing or assisting with the installation, construction, and maintenance of elevator equipment. The bill mandates annual certifications, continuing education, and general liability insurance for contractors, and it outlines the formulation of a registry for relevant professionals. Additionally, it stipulates contractor responsibilities in hiring registered personnel. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation must adopt necessary rules by March 31, 2026, and registration requirements for individuals will take effect on Nov. 1, 2026.

Ana Hernandez, member of the House Committee on S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband and vice chair of the House Committee on State Affairs, proposed another 27 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.

Hernandez graduated from the University of Houston in 1999 with a BS and again in 2004 from University of Texas School of Law with a JD.

Ana Hernandez is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 143rd House district. She replaced previous state representative Joe Moreno in 2005.

Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB 2229	04/08/2025	Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files by a statutory county court
HB 2200	04/07/2025	Relating to the cremation of human remains by natural organic reduction
HB 1564	04/03/2025	Relating to the maximum length of a train
HB 1363	04/02/2025	Relating to implicit bias training for justices and judges of state courts, judicial officers, certain court personnel, and attorneys licensed to practice law in this state
HB 1517	04/01/2025	Relating to enforcement of municipal ordinances by certain constables
HB 3872	03/27/2025	Relating to the state ambient air quality standard for benzene
HB 1361	03/27/2025	Relating to the distribution of funds designated for the low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program
HB 3771	03/26/2025	Relating to the operation near a public school of a retail establishment selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products; providing a civil penalty
HB 3768	03/26/2025	Relating to public hearings held by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in areas that exceed an ambient air quality standard for benzene
HB 3494	03/24/2025	Relating to wages paid to certain workers with disabilities
HB 2824	03/19/2025	Relating to the regulation of certain facilities that store and distribute benzene or another volatile organic compound; creating a criminal offense
HB 2319	03/14/2025	Relating to cost-of-living increases applicable to certain benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
HB 2224	03/14/2025	Relating to required emergency generators or other backup power sources in certain nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and senior independent living communities; providing civil and administrative penalties
HB 2222	03/14/2025	Relating to the establishment of an energy efficiency program for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
HB 2219	03/14/2025	Relating to the eligibility of a student with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for special education services provided by a public school
HB 2218	03/14/2025	Relating to required emergency generators or other backup power sources in certain nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and senior independent living communities; providing civil penalties
HB 1814	03/14/2025	Relating to changes to certain marriage-related forms
HB 1684	03/12/2025	Relating to safety standards for private passenger van services that transport students to and from public primary and secondary schools
HB 1676	03/12/2025	Relating to the period during which an employee may file a claim for unpaid wages with the Texas Workforce Commission
HB 1568	03/12/2025	Relating to the placement and use of video recording equipment in certain child-care facilities
HB 1567	03/12/2025	Relating to the eligibility for unemployment compensation of certain employees who leave the workplace to care for a minor child
HB 1563	03/12/2025	Relating to the release of a tier two form listing hazardous chemicals that is in the possession of a political subdivision of this state
HB 1561	03/12/2025	Relating to the licensing of legal permanent residents as county jailers by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the hiring of those legal permanent residents by political subdivisions
HB 1559	03/12/2025	Relating to prohibited nonconsensual medical procedures and treatment on certain minors with intersex traits
HB 1365	03/11/2025	Relating to unprofessional conduct by mental health providers who attempt to change the sexual orientation of a child
HB 1364	03/11/2025	Relating to the provision of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in automobile liability insurance policies
HB 1362	03/11/2025	Relating to eligibility for unemployment compensation for employees who leave the workplace due to sexual harassment