BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5506

By: Phelan

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that ringside physicians who oversee combative sports events may be exposed to civil liability for decisions made while carrying out their responsibilities and that physicians without immunity may be hesitant to make necessary but difficult medical decisions due to the potential for legal action. H.B. 5506 seeks to address this issue by providing ringside physicians with immunity from civil liability in order to protect them from civil lawsuits arising from their professional judgments during such events.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 5506 amends the Occupations Code to grant a ringside physician immunity from civil liability arising from acts within the scope of the physician's responsibilities at a combative sports event, unless the cause of action arises from an act or omission constituting gross negligence of the physician. The bill applies only to an action commenced on or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.