SB 2154 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the regulation of delivery network companies; requiring an occupational permit; authorizing a fee.

SB 2154 would require delivery network companies (such as food or goods delivery apps) operating in Texas to obtain an occupational permit from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and pay an associated fee. The bill defines "delivery network company" as businesses using digital platforms to arrange deliveries of food, beverages, or consumer goods from restaurants or retailers to customers. It directly affects delivery companies and their workers by establishing a new permit system under TDLR oversight, while clarifying these companies are not classified as traditional carriers under existing law. The bill’s key mechanism is creating a regulatory framework for this sector through permit requirements and fees.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Last action May 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 1, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas law to regulate delivery network companies (like food delivery services) by adding new definitions, background check requirements for delivery workers, nondiscrimination policies, and privacy protections for customer data. The changes expand regulatory oversight to include delivery services alongside ride-sharing services.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily transportation network companies to explicitly include delivery network companies, extending regulatory requirements to food and goods delivery services.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'delivery network company', 'delivery person', and 'digitally prearranged delivery' to clarify which services are regulated.

REQUIREMENT

Requires delivery network companies to conduct criminal background checks on delivery workers, including checks for prior convictions related to driving, violence, or property damage.

Mandates nondiscrimination policies prohibiting delivery workers from discriminating against customers based on location, race, religion, sex, disability, or age.

Establishes that delivery persons are independent contractors, not employees, if the company does not control their hours, territory, or ability to work for other companies.

PRIVACY

Added privacy protections preventing public entities from disclosing driver or delivery worker information without a court order or subpoena.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the new regulations to September 1, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures

lower

May 2, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

May 1, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

May 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors