HB 4830 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation of service contracts and service contract providers and administrators.

HB 4830 amends Texas Occupations Code definitions to clarify what constitutes a service contract and who qualifies as a consumer. It defines "service contract" to cover repairs, replacements, or maintenance for products (including residential systems like appliances), identity recovery services, and lease-end damage coverage for vehicles. The bill specifically defines "residential service contract" for home-related repairs to structural components, appliances, or HVAC systems. These changes directly affect service contract providers, administrators, and consumers purchasing these agreements for personal use. The bill focuses on precise definitions rather than new regulatory requirements.
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 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 9 edits · May 13, 2025
MAJOR
This bill updates the Texas Occupations Code to modernize definitions of consumers and service contracts, clarify what constitutes a residential service contract, and expand exemptions for certain agreements like warranties and maintenance plans. It also adds new requirements for providers regarding record-keeping, service response times, and the use of sellers, while repealing an outdated section.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of service contract regulations by clarifying eligibility criteria for consumers and providers, and by adding new exemptions for certain agreements such as warranties and maintenance agreements.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Consumer' to clarify that they are individuals who buy tangible personal property for personal, family, or household purposes, not for resale or business use.

Modified the definition of 'Service contract' to specify that it covers repair, replacement, or maintenance for operational or structural failure, damage from power surges, defects, or normal wear.

Added a new definition for 'Residential service contract provider' to clarify their contractual obligations and ability to offer contracts covering appliances and systems.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for providers to maintain accurate records, including copies of contracts, customer information, marketing locations, and detailed claim files with reasons for denials.

New requirement that residential service contract providers must initiate service or provide a documented explanation within 48 hours of a request.

Added new subsection requiring sellers who violate the chapter to be liable for administrative or civil penalties.

EXEMPTIONS

Expanded exemptions to include warranties, maintenance agreements, and certain agreements issued by automobile service clubs or motor vehicle dealers.

TECHNICAL

Repealed Section 1304.1521, which appears to be an outdated or unnecessary provision.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to September 1, 2025.

Floor votes · House May 12, 2025

How they voted

11032
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 146
May 12, 2025
D Democratic59
57 Yea 1 Nay 1
96% Yea
R Republican87
53 Yea 31 Nay 3
60% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
24
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 12, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (110-32-4)
house
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dade Phelan
Dade Phelan
RRepublican
TX
21