July 13, 2026
TXCPA Advocacy – A Preview of 2027
By Kenneth Besserman, JD, LLM
Just over one year ago, TXCPA concluded a remarkably successful legislative session passing two significant bills. The first bill, SB 262, created a new and additional pathway to CPA licensure, providing candidates with an alternative pathway to licensure. That legislation becomes effective on August 1, 2026.
The second bill, SB 522, modernized and individualized CPA practice mobility, ensuring that CPAs licensed in other states continue to have practice privileges in Texas. Both bills will be instrumental in addressing the CPA pipeline and continuing the seamlessness of CPA practice mobility.
As soon as the 89th legislative session concluded at the end of May 2025, TXCPA began its non-session year advocacy efforts. During the summer and fall months, TXCPA worked closely with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to ensure that the proposed rules relating to the new pathway legislation followed the intent of the legislation, were not overly complicated for candidates and educators, and provided a good framework for students to become licensed within the bachelor’s framework.
Between the 2025 legislative session and the 2027 session, the 2026 election will take place. The TXCPA Political Action Committee has been working for the past year to review legislative and statewide races and to make recommendations for campaign contributions. The TXCPA PAC has engaged in over 100 legislative races thus far and will review additional races for the November general election. Your contributions matter.
In the coming months before the 90th Legislative Session begins in January 2027, TXCPA and the Legislative Advisory Committee will thoroughly review and approve our legislative agenda for the session. When we all gather in Austin in January for our Advocacy Day, members will learn about our 2027 issues and how to make an impact on our Capitol visits.
TXCPA appreciates all the demanding work that our members have undertaken to spread the word about our advocacy program, our legislative successes, and communicate to legislators our issues and our thanks for supporting our efforts.
The 2027 Legislative Session is right around the corner. Please take the time to engage with TXCPA and our advocacy to learn more.
About the Author: Kenneth Besserman, JD, LLM, is TXCPA’s Director of Government Affairs and Special Counsel. Contact him at kbesserman@tx.cpa.
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