HB 4539 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the dispensing of certain drugs by physicians specializing in ophthalmology.

HB 4539 allows physicians specializing in ophthalmology (eye care) to dispense certain eye medications (like drops or ointments) directly to their patients without needing a separate pharmacy license. The bill permits these doctors to charge for stocking, storing, and labeling the medications while requiring them to follow standard labeling, packaging, and recordkeeping rules for those drugs. It specifically applies to "nonsystemic dangerous drugs" used in ophthalmic care, meaning medications applied locally to the eye rather than affecting the whole body. The law aims to streamline access to common eye treatments for patients while maintaining safety compliance.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 3 edits · May 15, 2025
MINOR
This bill was updated from its original introduction to an engrossed version, primarily involving formatting and structural changes rather than substantive policy modifications. The core legislative content regarding ophthalmic drug dispensing remains the same, with no changes to eligibility, funding, or enforcement provisions.
TECHNICAL

Header information was updated to reflect the engrossed version status and included sponsor names (Johnson, Frank, VanDeaver, Bonnen, Howard) that were not present in the original introduction.

Line numbers and formatting markers were removed or reorganized to align with standard engrossed bill text conventions, though the actual legislative language remained unchanged.

A note about digital content accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) was added at the top, which is a technical update rather than a policy change.

Floor votes · House May 15, 2025

How they voted

1380
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 143
May 15, 2025
D Democratic59
54 Yea 5
91% Yea
R Republican84
84 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
7
Committee
7
May 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services
upper
May 16, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors