1-1 By: Carriker S.B. No. 623
1-2 (In the Senate - Filed March 4, 1993; March 8, 1993, read
1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources;
1-4 April 20, 1993, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
1-5 Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 20, 1993,
1-6 sent to printer.)
1-7 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-8 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-9 Sims x
1-10 Truan x
1-11 Armbrister x
1-12 Barrientos x
1-13 Bivins x
1-14 Brown x
1-15 Carriker x
1-16 Lucio x
1-17 Montford x
1-18 Ratliff x
1-19 Shelley x
1-20 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 623 By: Carriker
1-21 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-22 AN ACT
1-23 relating to the continuation and functions of the State Board of
1-24 Veterinary Medical Examiners and to the regulation of the practice
1-25 of veterinary medicine and the administration of dangerous drugs to
1-26 animals; providing penalties.
1-27 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-28 SECTION 1. Section 2, The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
1-29 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended by amending Subdivision (2) and
1-30 adding Subdivisions (7) through (11) to read as follows:
1-31 (2) <Any person shall be deemed in the> "Practice of
1-32 Veterinary Medicine" means:
1-33 (A) the diagnosis, treatment, correction,
1-34 change, manipulation, relief, or prevention of animal disease,
1-35 deformity, defect, injury, or other physical condition, including
1-36 the prescription or administration of a drug, biologic, anesthetic,
1-37 apparatus, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or
1-38 technique;
1-39 (B) the representation of an ability and
1-40 willingness to perform an act included in Paragraph (A) of this
1-41 subdivision;
1-42 (C) the use of a title, words, or letters to
1-43 induce the belief that a person is legally authorized and qualified
1-44 to perform an act included in Paragraph (A) of this subdivision; or
1-45 (D) the receipt of compensation for performing
1-46 an act included in Paragraph (A) of this subdivision <who
1-47 represents himself as engaged in the practice of veterinary
1-48 medicine; or uses any words, letters or titles in such connection
1-49 or under such circumstances as to induce the belief that the person
1-50 using them is engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine, or
1-51 any person who performs a surgical or dental operation or who
1-52 diagnoses, treats, immunizes or prescribes any prescription drug,
1-53 prescription medicine, veterinary appliance, or veterinary
1-54 application for any physical ailment, injury, deformity, or
1-55 condition of animals, for compensation>.
1-56 (7) "Compensation" includes all fees, monetary
1-57 rewards, discounts, and emoluments received directly or indirectly
1-58 by a person.
1-59 (8) "Direct supervision" means the actual physical
1-60 presence of a responsible veterinarian on the premises.
1-61 (9) "General supervision" means supervision by a
1-62 responsible veterinarian being readily available to communicate
1-63 with the person being supervised by the veterinarian.
1-64 (10) "Registered veterinary technician" means a person
1-65 who works under the supervision of a licensee and who fulfills the
1-66 requirements established by an organization approved by the Board.
1-67 (11) "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary
1-68 surgery, veterinary reproduction and obstetrics, veterinary
2-1 dentistry, veterinary opthalmology, veterinary dermatology,
2-2 veterinary cardiology, and all other disciplines and specialties of
2-3 veterinary medicine.
2-4 SECTION 2. Section 2A, The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
2-5 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
2-6 Sec. 2A. (a) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship
2-7 exists if:
2-8 (1) a veterinarian assumes responsibility for medical
2-9 judgments regarding the health of an animal and a client who is the
2-10 owner or other caretaker of the animal agrees to follow the
2-11 veterinarian's instructions; <or>
2-12 (2) there is sufficient knowledge of the animal by the
2-13 veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary
2-14 diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that
2-15 the veterinarian has recently seen and/or is personally acquainted
2-16 with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of the
2-17 examination of the animal, and/or by medically appropriate and
2-18 timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept; and
2-19 (3) the veterinarian is readily available to provide
2-20 or has provided follow-up medical care in case of an adverse
2-21 reaction or failure of the regimen of therapy provided by the
2-22 veterinarian.
2-23 (b) The professional services of a veterinarian may not be
2-24 controlled or exploited by any person or entity not licensed under
2-25 this Act that intervenes between the client and the veterinarian.
2-26 A veterinarian may not allow a person or entity not licensed under
2-27 this Act to interfere or intervene with the veterinarian's practice
2-28 of veterinary medicine and a veterinarian may not submit to
2-29 interference or intervention by a person or entity not licensed
2-30 under this Act. A veterinarian shall avoid all relationships that
2-31 may result in interference or intervention in the veterinarian's
2-32 practice by a person or entity not licensed under this Act. A
2-33 veterinarian is responsible for the veterinarian's own actions and
2-34 is directly responsible to the client and for the care and
2-35 treatment of the patient. <a veterinarian, through personal
2-36 examination of an animal or a representative sample of a herd or
2-37 flock, obtains sufficient information to make at least a general or
2-38 preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal, herd,
2-39 or flock, which is expanded through medically appropriate visits to
2-40 the premises where the animal, herd, or flock is kept.>
2-41 SECTION 3. Section 3, The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
2-42 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended by amending Subsection (a) and
2-43 adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
2-44 (a) The provisions of this Act do <shall> not apply to:
2-45 (1) treatment <Treatment> or caring for animals in any
2-46 manner either personally by the owner <thereof,> or by any employee
2-47 of the owner or a designated caretaker <thereof>, unless the
2-48 ownership, <or> employment, or designation was <has been>
2-49 established with the intent of circumventing this Act;<.>
2-50 (2) a person who performs acts prescribed by the Board
2-51 as accepted livestock management practices, including:
2-52 (A) performing <Performance of> the operation of
2-53 male castration on animals raised for human consumption, or docking
2-54 or earmarking of animals raised for human consumption;
2-55 (B) performing<. (3) Performance of> the
2-56 operation of dehorning cattle;
2-57 (C) aiding<, or aid> in the nonsurgical birth
2-58 process in large animals, as defined by Board rule;
2-59 (D) treating<. (4) Treatment of> animals for
2-60 disease prevention <internal or external parasites, or vaccination
2-61 for black-leg, shipping fever, or sore mouth> with a
2-62 nonprescription medicine or vaccine;
2-63 (E) branding or identification of animals in any
2-64 manner;
2-65 (F) artificial insemination, including training,
2-66 insemination, and compensation for services associated with this
2-67 practice; and
2-68 (G) shoeing horses;
2-69 (3) the performance<. (5) Selling by a retail
2-70 distributor of a nonprescription medicine, remedy or insecticide
3-1 which is adequately labeled.>
3-2 <(6) Performance> of cosmetic or production techniques
3-3 to reduce injury in poultry intended for human consumption;
3-4 (4) the performance of duties involving food
3-5 production animals, other than diagnosis, prescription, or surgery,
3-6 by an employee of a licensed veterinarian under the direction and
3-7 general supervision of the veterinarian who shall be responsible
3-8 for the employee's performance; and
3-9 (5) the performance of acts<. (7) Branding animals
3-10 in any manner.>
3-11 <(8) Acts performed> by persons who are full-time
3-12 students of an accredited college of veterinary medicine or who are
3-13 foreign graduates of a Board-approved equivalent competency program
3-14 for foreign veterinary graduates and who are participating in an
3-15 extern or preceptor program approved by the Board if the acts are
3-16 performed under direct supervision of a licensee employing the
3-17 person.
3-18 (e) This Act does not apply to consultations by a
3-19 veterinarian residing in another state who is lawfully qualified
3-20 under the laws of that state with a licensed veterinarian in this
3-21 state.
3-22 SECTION 4. Section 4, The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
3-23 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
3-24 Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided by Section 3 of this Act, a
3-25 person may not practice, offer or attempt to practice veterinary
3-26 medicine in this State without first having obtained a valid
3-27 license to do so from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical
3-28 Examiners.
3-29 (b) A person commits an offense if the person violates this
3-30 section. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
3-31 SECTION 5. Section 5, The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
3-32 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended by amending Subsections (b),
3-33 (c), (d), (g), (i), and (k) through (o) and adding Subsections (p)
3-34 and (q) to read as follows:
3-35 (b) Appointments to the Board shall be made without regard
3-36 to the race, color <creed>, disability, sex, religion, age, or
3-37 national origin of the appointees. Six members must be licensed
3-38 veterinarians and three members must be members of the general
3-39 public. Not more than one veterinarian member of the Board may be
3-40 a member of the faculty of a college of veterinary medicine.
3-41 (c) To be eligible for appointment to the Board as a
3-42 licensed veterinarian member, a person must:
3-43 (1) have resided in the state and practiced veterinary
3-44 medicine for the six years next preceding his appointment;
3-45 (2) be of good repute; and
3-46 (3) not be licensed under Section 10A of this Act <a
3-47 member of the faculty of any veterinary medical college or of the
3-48 veterinary medical department of any college or have a financial
3-49 interest in a veterinary medical college>.
3-50 (d) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public
3-51 member if the person or the person's spouse:
3-52 (1) is licensed by an occupational regulatory agency
3-53 in the field of health care;
3-54 (2) is employed by or participates in the management
3-55 of a business entity or other organization that provides
3-56 health-care services or that sells, manufactures, or distributes
3-57 health-care supplies or equipment or that is regulated by the Board
3-58 or receives funds from the Board; <or>
3-59 (3) owns, controls, or has, directly or indirectly,
3-60 more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
3-61 organization that provides health-care services or that sells,
3-62 manufactures, or distributes health-care supplies or equipment or
3-63 that is regulated by the Board or receives funds from the Board;
3-64 or
3-65 (4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
3-66 goods, services, or funds from the Board, other than compensation
3-67 or reimbursement authorized by law for Board membership,
3-68 attendance, or expenses.
3-69 (g) At its first meeting each year the Board shall elect
3-70 from its number a president and any other officers it considers
4-1 necessary or convenient. Five <Six> members of the Board
4-2 constitute a quorum for the transaction of Board business.
4-3 (i) The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is
4-4 subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless
4-5 continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the board is
4-6 abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2005 <1993>.
4-7 (k) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas
4-8 trade association in the field of health care may not be a member
4-9 or employee of the Board who is exempt from the state's position
4-10 classification plan or is compensated at or above the amount
4-11 prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for step 1, salary
4-12 group 17, of the position classification salary schedule.
4-13 (l) A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or
4-14 paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of health
4-15 care may not be a Board member and may not be an employee of the
4-16 Board who is exempt from the state's position classification plan
4-17 or is compensated at or above the amount prescribed by the General
4-18 Appropriations Act for step 1, salary group 17, of the position
4-19 classification salary schedule.
4-20 (m) For the purposes of Subsections (k) and (l) of this
4-21 section, a Texas trade association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and
4-22 voluntarily joined association of business or professional
4-23 competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its
4-24 industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or
4-25 professional problems and in promoting their common interest <A
4-26 member or employee of the Board may not be an officer, employee, or
4-27 paid consultant of a trade association in the veterinary medical
4-28 industry>.
4-29 (n) <(l) A member or employee of the Board may not be
4-30 related within the second degree by affinity or consanguinity, as
4-31 determined under Article 5996h, Revised Statutes, to a person who
4-32 is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a trade association
4-33 in the regulated industry>.
4-34 <(m)> A person may not serve as a member of the Board or act
4-35 as general counsel to the Board if the person <who> is required to
4-36 register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because
4-37 of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a
4-38 profession related to the operation of the Board <may not serve as
4-39 a member of the Board or act as the general counsel to the Board>.
4-40 (o) <(n)> It is a ground for removal from the Board if a
4-41 member:
4-42 (1) does not have at the time of appointment the
4-43 qualifications required by Subsection (c) or (d) of this section
4-44 <for appointment to the Board>;
4-45 (2) does not maintain during <his> service on the
4-46 Board the qualifications required by Subsection (c) or (d) of this
4-47 section <for appointment to the Board>;
4-48 (3) violates a prohibition established by Subsection
4-49 (k), (l), or (n) <(m)> of this section; <or>
4-50 (4) cannot discharge the member's term for a
4-51 substantial part of the term for which the member is appointed
4-52 because of illness or disability; or
4-53 (5) is absent from more than <fails to attend at
4-54 least> half of the regularly scheduled Board meetings that the
4-55 member is eligible to attend during <held in> a calendar year
4-56 unless the absence is excused by majority vote<, excluding meetings
4-57 held while the person was not a member> of the Board.
4-58 (p) <(o)> The validity of an action of the Board is not
4-59 affected by the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of
4-60 a Board member exists <of the Board existed>.
4-61 (q) If the executive director has knowledge that a potential
4-62 ground for removal exists, the executive director shall notify the
4-63 president of the Board of the ground. The president shall then
4-64 notify the governor that a potential ground for removal exists.
4-65 SECTION 6. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
4-66 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 5A to read as
4-67 follows:
4-68 Sec. 5A. (a) Each Board member shall comply with the Board
4-69 member training requirements established by any other state agency
4-70 that is given authority to establish the requirements for the
5-1 Board.
5-2 (b) The Board shall provide to its members and employees, as
5-3 often as necessary, information regarding their qualifications for
5-4 office or employment under this Act and their responsibilities
5-5 under applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state
5-6 officers or employees.
5-7 SECTION 7. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
5-8 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 5B to read as
5-9 follows:
5-10 Sec. 5B. The Board shall develop and implement policies that
5-11 clearly define the respective responsibilities of the Board and the
5-12 staff of the Board.
5-13 SECTION 8. Subsection (b), Section 6, The Veterinary
5-14 Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read
5-15 as follows:
5-16 (b) The executive director or the executive director's
5-17 designee shall develop an intra-agency <intraagency> career ladder
5-18 program. The program shall require intra-agency<, one part of
5-19 which shall be the intraagency> posting of all nonentry level
5-20 positions concurrently with <for at least 10 days before> any
5-21 public posting.
5-22 SECTION 9. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
5-23 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 6A to read as
5-24 follows:
5-25 Sec. 6A. (a) The executive director or the director's
5-26 designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to
5-27 ensure implementation of a program of equal employment opportunity
5-28 under which all personnel transactions are made without regard to
5-29 race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin.
5-30 The policy statement must include:
5-31 (1) personnel policies, including policies relating to
5-32 recruitment, evaluation, selection, application, training, and
5-33 promotion of personnel that are in compliance with the Commission
5-34 on Human Rights Act (Article 5221k, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)
5-35 and its subsequent amendments;
5-36 (2) a comprehensive analysis of the Board work force
5-37 that meets federal and state guidelines;
5-38 (3) procedures by which a determination can be made of
5-39 significant underutilization in the Board work force of all persons
5-40 for whom federal or state guidelines encourage a more equitable
5-41 balance; and
5-42 (4) reasonable methods to address those areas of
5-43 underutilization appropriately.
5-44 (b) A policy statement prepared under Subsection (a) of this
5-45 section must cover an annual period, be updated annually, be
5-46 reviewed by the Commission on Human Rights for compliance with
5-47 Subsection (a)(1) of this section, and be filed with the governor's
5-48 office.
5-49 (c) The governor's office shall deliver a biennial report to
5-50 the legislature based on the information received under Subsection
5-51 (b) of this section. The report may be made separately or as part
5-52 of other biennial reports to the legislature.
5-53 SECTION 10. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
5-54 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 6B to read as
5-55 follows:
5-56 Sec. 6B. (a) The Board shall develop and implement policies
5-57 that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear
5-58 before the Board and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction
5-59 of the Board.
5-60 (b) The Board shall prepare and maintain a written plan that
5-61 describes how a person who does not speak English can be provided
5-62 reasonable access to the Board's programs. The Board shall also
5-63 comply with federal and state laws for program and facility
5-64 accessibility.
5-65 SECTION 11. Subsections (b) and (c), Section 7, The
5-66 Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), are
5-67 amended to read as follows:
5-68 (b) The Board shall adopt rules to protect the public and to
5-69 ensure that the performance of alternate therapies, including
5-70 ultrasound diagnosis and therapy, magnetic field therapy, holistic
6-1 medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, and
6-2 laser therapy are performed only by a licensee or under the
6-3 supervision of a licensee.
6-4 (c) The Board may adopt rules for the use of registered
6-5 veterinary technicians working under the supervision of a licensee.
6-6 (d) The Board shall require its licensees to maintain a
6-7 record-keeping system for controlled substances, as prescribed by
6-8 Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code. The records are subject to
6-9 review by law enforcement agencies and by representatives of the
6-10 Board. A failure to keep such records shall be grounds for
6-11 revoking, cancelling, suspending, or probating the license of any
6-12 practitioner of veterinary medicine.
6-13 (e) <(c)> After notice and hearing, the Board may approve an
6-14 exception to a rule adopted by the Board. The Board may consider
6-15 an exception on the request of a person subject to regulation by
6-16 the Board.
6-17 SECTION 12. Subsection (d), Section 9, The Veterinary
6-18 Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read
6-19 as follows:
6-20 (d) The investigation files and records of the Board,
6-21 including files and records relating to complaints found to be
6-22 groundless, are confidential.
6-23 SECTION 13. Section 10, The Veterinary Licensing Act
6-24 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended by amending Subsection
6-25 (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
6-26 (b) The Board may grant a provisional license to an
6-27 applicant who presents proof of a current license in another state,
6-28 the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States that
6-29 maintains professional standards considered by the Board to be
6-30 equivalent to those set forth in this Act <waive any license
6-31 requirement for an applicant with a valid license from any
6-32 jurisdiction whose licensing requirements are approved by the
6-33 Board. The Board may require the applicant to demonstrate
6-34 proficiency and competency through a skills assessment examination
6-35 prescribed by the Board>. An applicant for a provisional license
6-36 under this section must:
6-37 (1) be licensed in good standing as a veterinarian in
6-38 another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the
6-39 United States that has licensing requirements that are
6-40 substantially equivalent to the requirements of this Act;
6-41 (2) have passed a national or other examination
6-42 recognized by the Board relating to veterinary medicine; and
6-43 (3) be sponsored by a person licensed by the Board
6-44 under this Act with whom the provisional licensee may practice
6-45 under this section.
6-46 (c) An applicant for a provisional license may be excused
6-47 from the requirement of Subsection (b)(3) of this section if the
6-48 Board determines that compliance with that subsection constitutes a
6-49 hardship to the applicant.
6-50 (d) A provisional license is valid until the date the Board
6-51 approves or denies the provisional licensee's application for a
6-52 license. The Board shall issue a license under this Act to the
6-53 holder of a provisional license under this section if:
6-54 (1) the provisional licensee passes the examination
6-55 under Section 12 of this Act;
6-56 (2) the Board verifies that the provisional licensee
6-57 has the academic and experience requirements for a license under
6-58 this Act; and
6-59 (3) the provisional licensee satisfies any other
6-60 license requirements under this Act.
6-61 (e) The Board must complete the processing of a provisional
6-62 licensee's application for a license not later than the 180th day
6-63 after the date the provisional license is issued.
6-64 SECTION 14. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
6-65 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 10B to read as
6-66 follows:
6-67 Sec. 10B. (a) The Board by rule may provide for the
6-68 issuance of a temporary license.
6-69 (b) The Board by rule may provide for a person who holds a
6-70 license under this Act to be placed on inactive status. Rules
7-1 adopted under this subsection shall include a time limit for a
7-2 licensee to remain on inactive status.
7-3 SECTION 15. Subsections (c), (e), and (f), Section 12, The
7-4 Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), are
7-5 amended to read as follows:
7-6 (c) Examinations may be given orally, in writing, or a
7-7 practical demonstration of the applicant's skill, or any
7-8 combination of these as the Board may determine. The Board shall
7-9 have the written portion of the examination, if any, validated by
7-10 an independent testing professional.
7-11 (e) Not later than the 30th day after the date on which a
7-12 licensing examination is administered under this Act, the <The>
7-13 Board shall notify each examinee of the <examination> results of
7-14 the examination <not later than the 14th day after the date on
7-15 which the Board has obtained all of the examination results>.
7-16 However, if an examination is graded or reviewed by a national
7-17 testing service, the Board shall notify examinees of the results of
7-18 the examination not later than the 14th day after the date on which
7-19 the Board receives the results from the testing service. If the
7-20 notice of the examination results graded or reviewed by a national
7-21 testing service will be delayed for longer <more> than 90 days
7-22 after the examination date, the Board shall notify the examinee of
7-23 the reason for the delay before the 90th day.
7-24 (f) If requested in writing by a person who fails a <the
7-25 state Board> licensing examination administered under this Act, the
7-26 Board shall furnish the person with an analysis <a review> of the
7-27 person's performance on the examination. <The Board shall conduct
7-28 the review at its main office in Austin, Texas.>
7-29 SECTION 16. Section 13, The Veterinary Licensing Act
7-30 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
7-31 Sec. 13. (a) A person may renew an unexpired license by
7-32 paying to the Board before the expiration of the license the
7-33 required renewal fee <Licenses shall expire March 1st of each
7-34 calendar year, and any licensee may renew the license on or before
7-35 March 1st by making written application to the Board setting forth
7-36 such facts as the Board may require, and by paying the required
7-37 fee>.
7-38 (b) <A person may renew an unexpired license by paying to
7-39 the Board before the expiration date of the license the required
7-40 renewal fee.> If a person's license has been expired for <not more
7-41 than> 90 days or less, the person may renew the license by paying
7-42 to the Board the required renewal fee and a fee that is one-half
7-43 <(1/2)> of the examination fee for the license.
7-44 (c) If a person's license has been expired for longer <more>
7-45 than 90 days but less than one year <two years>, the person may
7-46 renew the license by paying to the Board all unpaid renewal fees
7-47 and a fee that is equal to the examination fee for the license.
7-48 (d) If a person's license has been expired for one year <two
7-49 years> or longer <more>, the person may not renew the license. The
7-50 person may obtain a new license by submitting to reexamination and
7-51 complying with the requirements and procedures for obtaining an
7-52 original license. However, the Board may renew without
7-53 reexamination an expired license of a person who was licensed in
7-54 this state, moved to another state, and is currently licensed and
7-55 has been in practice in the other state for the two years preceding
7-56 application. The person must pay to the Board a fee that is equal
7-57 to the examination fee for the license.
7-58 (e) At least 30 days before the expiration of a person's
7-59 license, the Board shall send written notice of the impending
7-60 license expiration to the person at the licensee's last known
7-61 address according to the records of the Board.
7-62 (f) <(c)> The requirements governing the payment of the
7-63 annual renewal fee and the penalty for late renewal shall not apply
7-64 to licensees who are on active duty with the Armed Forces of the
7-65 United States of America and who do not engage in private or
7-66 civilian practice or to licensees who are permanently and totally
7-67 retired.
7-68 (g) The Board by rule shall establish a minimum number of
7-69 hours of continuing education required to renew a license under
7-70 this Act. The Board may establish broad general categories of
8-1 continuing education that meet the needs of licensees and may
8-2 require licensees to successfully complete continuing education
8-3 courses.
8-4 <(d) The Board may recognize, prepare, or implement
8-5 continuing education programs for veterinarians. Participation in
8-6 the programs is voluntary.>
8-7 SECTION 17. Section 14, The Veterinary Licensing Act
8-8 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended by amending Subsection
8-9 (a) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
8-10 (a) Except as provided by this section with respect to
8-11 conviction of a felony under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code,
8-12 Section 485.033, Health and Safety Code, or Chapter 483, Health and
8-13 Safety Code, the Board may revoke or suspend a license, impose a
8-14 civil penalty, place a licensee or person whose license has been
8-15 suspended on probation, or reprimand a licensee, or may refuse to
8-16 examine an applicant or to issue a license or a renewal of a
8-17 license, after notice and hearing as provided in Section 15 of this
8-18 Act, or as provided by the rules of the Board, if it finds that an
8-19 applicant or licensee:
8-20 (1) has presented to the Board dishonest or fraudulent
8-21 evidence of qualification or has been guilty of fraud or deception
8-22 in the process of examination, or for the purpose of securing a
8-23 license;
8-24 (2) is chronically or habitually intoxicated, has a
8-25 chemical dependency, or is addicted to drugs;
8-26 (3) has engaged in dishonest or illegal practices in
8-27 or connected with the practice of veterinary medicine;
8-28 (4) has been convicted of a felony under the laws of
8-29 this or any other state of the United States or of the United
8-30 States;
8-31 (5) has engaged in practices or conduct in connection
8-32 with the practice of veterinary medicine which are violative of the
8-33 standards of professional conduct as duly promulgated by the Board
8-34 in accordance with law;
8-35 (6) has permitted or allowed another to use his
8-36 license, or certificate to practice veterinary medicine in this
8-37 state;
8-38 (7) has fraudulently issued a health certificate,
8-39 vaccination certificate, test chart, or other form used in the
8-40 practice of veterinary medicine that relates to the presence or
8-41 absence of animal disease;
8-42 (8) has issued a false certificate relating to the
8-43 sale for human consumption of inedible animal products;
8-44 (9) has committed fraud in the application or
8-45 reporting of any test of animal disease;
8-46 (10) has paid or received any kickback, rebate, bonus,
8-47 or other remuneration for treating an animal or for referring a
8-48 client to another provider of veterinary services or goods;
8-49 (11) has performed or prescribed unnecessary or
8-50 unauthorized treatment;
8-51 (12) has ordered prescription drugs or controlled
8-52 substances for the treatment of an animal without first
8-53 establishing a valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship;
8-54 (13) has refused to admit a representative of the
8-55 Board to inspect the client and patient records and business
8-56 premises of the person during regular business hours;
8-57 (14) has failed to keep the equipment and business
8-58 premises in a sanitary condition;
8-59 (15) has committed gross malpractice or is guilty of a
8-60 pattern of acts indicating consistent malpractice, negligence, or
8-61 incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine; or
8-62 (16) is subject to a disciplinary action in another
8-63 jurisdiction, including the suspension, probation, or revocation of
8-64 a license to practice veterinary medicine issued by another
8-65 jurisdiction.
8-66 (d) A person not licensed under this Act who violates this
8-67 Act or a rule adopted by the Board under this Act is subject to a
8-68 civil penalty of $1,000 for each day of violation. At the request
8-69 of the Board, the attorney general shall bring an action to recover
8-70 a civil penalty authorized under this subsection.
9-1 (e) In addition to the other disciplinary actions authorized
9-2 by this section, the Board may require that a licensee who violates
9-3 this Act participate in continuing education programs. The Board
9-4 shall specify the continuing education programs that may be
9-5 attended and the number of hours that must be completed by an
9-6 individual licensee to fulfill the requirements of this subsection.
9-7 However, the continuing education programs specified by the Board
9-8 must be relevant to the violation, and the number of hours required
9-9 under this subsection are not in addition to the hours required to
9-10 renew a license under this Act.
9-11 (f) If a license suspension is probated, the Board may
9-12 require the licensee to:
9-13 (1) report regularly to the Board on matters that are
9-14 the basis of the probation;
9-15 (2) limit practice to the areas prescribed by the
9-16 Board; or
9-17 (3) continue or review continuing professional
9-18 education until the licensee attains a degree of skill satisfactory
9-19 to the Board in those areas that are the basis of the probation.
9-20 SECTION 18. Section 14B, The Veterinary Licensing Act
9-21 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
9-22 Sec. 14B. (a) The <If a person violates this Act in a
9-23 manner that constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the
9-24 Board, the> Board may impose an administrative <assess a civil>
9-25 penalty against a <that> person who violates a provision of this
9-26 Act or a rule or order adopted <in addition to taking action> under
9-27 <Section 14 or 14A of> this Act.
9-28 (b) The <Board may assess the civil> penalty for each
9-29 violation may be in an amount not to exceed $2,500. The penalty
9-30 for a violation related to a controlled substance may not exceed
9-31 $5,000 per violation.
9-32 (c) The Board shall base the amount of the penalty on:
9-33 (1) the seriousness of the violation, including the
9-34 nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of any prohibited acts,
9-35 and the hazard or potential hazard created to the health, safety,
9-36 or economic welfare of the public;
9-37 (2) the economic harm to property or the environment
9-38 caused by the violation;
9-39 (3) the history of previous violations;
9-40 (4) the amount necessary to deter future violations;
9-41 (5) efforts to correct the violation; and
9-42 (6) any other matter that justice may require. <In
9-43 determining the amount of the penalty, the Board shall consider the
9-44 seriousness of the violation.>
9-45 SECTION 19. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
9-46 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 14C to read as
9-47 follows:
9-48 Sec. 14C. (a) An executive committee of the Board,
9-49 consisting of the president of the Board and two other Board
9-50 members appointed by the president, may temporarily suspend the
9-51 license of a licensee under this Act if the executive committee
9-52 determines from the evidence or information presented to the
9-53 committee that the continued practice by the licensee constitutes a
9-54 continuing or imminent threat to the public welfare.
9-55 (b) A temporary suspension authorized under Subsection (a)
9-56 of this section may also be ordered on a majority vote of the
9-57 Board.
9-58 (c) A license temporarily suspended under this section may
9-59 be suspended without notice or hearing if, at the time the
9-60 suspension is ordered, a hearing on whether disciplinary
9-61 proceedings under this Act should be initiated against the licensee
9-62 is scheduled to be held not later than the 14th day after the date
9-63 of the suspension. A second hearing on the suspended license shall
9-64 be held not later than the 60th day after the date the suspension
9-65 was ordered. If the second hearing is not held in the time
9-66 required by this subsection, the suspended license is automatically
9-67 reinstated.
9-68 (d) The Board by rule shall adopt procedures for the
9-69 temporary suspension of a license under this section.
9-70 SECTION 20. Section 15, The Veterinary Licensing Act
10-1 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
10-2 Sec. 15. (a) If the Board refuses to examine an applicant
10-3 for a license, refuses a person's application for a license,
10-4 suspends or revokes a person's license, or places on probation,
10-5 reprimands, or assesses a civil penalty against a licensee, the
10-6 applicant or licensee is entitled to a hearing before the State
10-7 Office of Administrative Hearings <Board>. The proceedings are
10-8 governed by the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act, as
10-9 amended (Article 6252-13a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). The
10-10 schedule of sanctions adopted by the Board by rule shall be used by
10-11 the State Office of Administrative Hearings for any sanction
10-12 imposed as the result of a hearing conducted by that office.
10-13 (b) The Board may in its discretion conduct deliberations
10-14 relative to licensee disciplinary actions in executive session. At
10-15 the conclusion of its deliberations relative to licensee
10-16 disciplinary action, the Board shall vote and announce its decision
10-17 to the licensee in open session.
10-18 SECTION 21. Section 17, The Veterinary Licensing Act
10-19 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
10-20 Sec. 17. The Board, through the Attorney General or any
10-21 District or County Attorney, may institute any injunction
10-22 proceeding or any such other proceeding incident to such injunction
10-23 proceeding as to enforce the provisions of this Act and to enjoin
10-24 any person from the practice of veterinary medicine, as defined in
10-25 this Act, without such person having complied with the other
10-26 provisions of this Act. The venue for such injunction proceedings
10-27 shall be in the county of the residence of the person against whom
10-28 such injunction proceedings are instituted. If the person does not
10-29 reside in this state, venue is in Travis County.
10-30 SECTION 22. Subsection (b), Section 18, The Veterinary
10-31 Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read
10-32 as follows:
10-33 (b) A person commits an offense if the person violates this
10-34 Act. An offense under this subsection is a Class A <B>
10-35 misdemeanor.
10-36 SECTION 23. Section 18A, The Veterinary Licensing Act
10-37 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
10-38 Sec. 18A. (a) The Board shall prepare information of public
10-39 <consumer> interest describing the <regulatory> functions of the
10-40 Board and the Board's procedures by which <consumer> complaints are
10-41 filed with and resolved by the Board. The Board shall make the
10-42 information available to the <general> public and appropriate state
10-43 agencies.
10-44 (b) The Board by rule shall establish methods by which
10-45 consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, mailing
10-46 address, and telephone number of the Board for the purpose of
10-47 directing complaints to the Board.
10-48 (c) The Board shall list along with its regular telephone
10-49 number the toll-free telephone number that may be called to present
10-50 a complaint about a veterinarian if the toll-free number is
10-51 established under other state law <shall maintain an information
10-52 file about each complaint filed with the Board relating to a
10-53 licensee.>
10-54 <(c) If a written complaint is filed with the Board relating
10-55 to a licensee, the Board, at least as frequently as quarterly and
10-56 until final disposition of the complaint, shall notify the parties
10-57 to the complaint of the status of the complaint unless the notice
10-58 would jeopardize an undercover investigation>.
10-59 SECTION 24. Section 18B, The Veterinary Licensing Act
10-60 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
10-61 Sec. 18B. (a) The Board shall maintain an information file
10-62 about each complaint filed with the Board <relating to a licensee>.
10-63 The Board's information file shall be kept current and contain a
10-64 record for each complaint of:
10-65 (1) all persons contacted in relation to the
10-66 complaint;
10-67 (2) a summary of findings made at each step of the
10-68 complaint process;
10-69 (3) an explanation of the legal basis and reason for a
10-70 complaint that is dismissed; and
11-1 (4) other relevant information.
11-2 (b) If a written complaint is filed with the Board that the
11-3 Board has authority to resolve <relating to a licensee>, the Board,
11-4 at least as frequently as quarterly and until final disposition of
11-5 the complaint, shall notify the parties to the complaint of the
11-6 status of the complaint unless the notice would jeopardize an
11-7 undercover investigation.
11-8 (c) The Board by rule shall adopt a form to standardize
11-9 information concerning complaints made to the Board. The Board by
11-10 rule shall prescribe information to be provided to a person when
11-11 the person files a complaint with the Board.
11-12 (d) The Board shall provide reasonable assistance to a
11-13 person who wishes to file a complaint with the Board.
11-14 SECTION 25. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
11-15 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 18D to read as
11-16 follows:
11-17 Sec. 18D. (a) The Board shall adopt rules concerning the
11-18 investigation of a complaint filed with the Board. The rules
11-19 adopted under this subsection shall:
11-20 (1) distinguish between categories of complaints;
11-21 (2) ensure that complaints are not dismissed without
11-22 appropriate consideration;
11-23 (3) require that the Board be advised of a complaint
11-24 that is dismissed and that a letter be sent to the person who filed
11-25 the complaint explaining the action taken on the dismissed
11-26 complaint;
11-27 (4) ensure that the person who filed the complaint has
11-28 an opportunity to explain the allegations made in the complaint;
11-29 and
11-30 (5) prescribe guidelines concerning the categories of
11-31 complaints that require the use of a private investigator and the
11-32 procedures for the Board to obtain the services of a private
11-33 investigator.
11-34 (b) The Board shall dispose of all complaints in a timely
11-35 manner. The Board shall establish a schedule for conducting each
11-36 phase of a complaint that is under the control of the Board not
11-37 later than the 30th day after the date the complaint is received by
11-38 the Board. The schedule shall be kept in the information file for
11-39 the complaint and all parties shall be notified of the projected
11-40 time requirements for pursuing the complaint. A change in the
11-41 schedule must be noted in the complaint information file and all
11-42 parties to the complaint must be notified not later than the
11-43 seventh day after the date the change is made.
11-44 (c) The executive director of the Board shall notify the
11-45 Board of a complaint that extends beyond the time prescribed by the
11-46 Board for resolving the complaint so that the Board may take
11-47 necessary action on the complaint.
11-48 SECTION 26. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
11-49 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 18E to read as
11-50 follows:
11-51 Sec. 18E. (a) A veterinarian may not violate the
11-52 confidential relationship between the veterinarian and a client and
11-53 may not be required to disclose any information concerning the
11-54 veterinarian's care for an animal except on written authorization
11-55 or another form of waiver executed by the client or on receipt by
11-56 the veterinarian of an appropriate court order or subpoena.
11-57 (b) A veterinarian who releases information on written
11-58 authorization or another form of waiver executed by the client or
11-59 on receipt by the veterinarian of an appropriate court order or
11-60 subpoena is not liable to the client or any other person for an
11-61 action resulting from the release of that information.
11-62 (c) The privilege under this section is waived to the extent
11-63 that the client of a veterinarian or the owner of an animal treated
11-64 by the veterinarian places the care and treatment of the animal by
11-65 the veterinarian or the nature and extent of injuries of an animal
11-66 treated by the veterinarian at issue in a civil or criminal
11-67 proceeding.
11-68 (d) This section does not apply to inspections or
11-69 investigations conducted by the Board or an agent of the Board.
11-70 SECTION 27. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
12-1 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 18F to read as
12-2 follows:
12-3 Sec. 18F. (a) The Board by rule shall adopt procedures
12-4 governing:
12-5 (1) informal disposition of a contested case under
12-6 Section 13(e), Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act
12-7 (Article 6252-13a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), and its
12-8 subsequent amendments; and
12-9 (2) informal proceedings held in compliance with
12-10 Section 18(c), Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act
12-11 (Article 6252-13a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), and its
12-12 subsequent amendments.
12-13 (b) Rules adopted under this section must provide the
12-14 complainant and the licensee an opportunity to be heard and must
12-15 require the presence of a representative of the office of the
12-16 attorney general to advise the Board or Board's employees.
12-17 SECTION 28. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
12-18 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 18G to read as
12-19 follows:
12-20 Sec. 18G. The Board by rule shall develop a system for
12-21 monitoring licensees' compliance with the requirements of this Act.
12-22 Rules adopted under this section shall include procedures for
12-23 monitoring a licensee who is ordered by the Board to perform
12-24 certain acts to ascertain that the license holder performs the
12-25 required acts and to identify and monitor licensees who represent a
12-26 risk to the public.
12-27 SECTION 29. Section 19, The Veterinary Licensing Act
12-28 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
12-29 Sec. 19. (a) The Board by rule shall establish reasonable
12-30 and necessary fees so that the fees, in the aggregate, produce
12-31 sufficient revenue to cover the costs of administering <for the
12-32 administration of> this Act.
12-33 (b) The <board shall not maintain unnecessary fund balances,
12-34 and> fee amounts <shall be> set by the Board may be adjusted so
12-35 that the total fees collected are sufficient to cover the costs of
12-36 administering this Act <in accordance with this requirement>.
12-37 (c) The Board may not set a fee for an amount less than the
12-38 amount of that fee on September 1, 1993.
12-39 SECTION 30. Subsection (c), Section 20, The Veterinary
12-40 Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read
12-41 as follows:
12-42 (c) The Board shall file annually with the governor and the
12-43 presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete and
12-44 detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
12-45 disbursed by the board during the preceding fiscal year. The
12-46 annual report must be in the form and reported in the time provided
12-47 by the General Appropriations Act <On or before January 1 of each
12-48 year, the Board shall make in writing to the Governor and the
12-49 Presiding Officer of each House of the Legislature a complete and
12-50 detailed annual report accounting for all funds received and
12-51 disbursed by the Board during the preceding year>.
12-52 SECTION 31. Section 22, The Veterinary Licensing Act
12-53 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
12-54 Sec. 22. (a) No sole proprietorship, partnership, or
12-55 corporation shall engage in veterinary medicine unless the owner,
12-56 partners, or shareholders, respectively, are all licensees.
12-57 (b) A partnership between a veterinarian and a member of
12-58 another profession or a person who is not a member of a profession
12-59 may not be formed or permitted if a part of the partnership
12-60 employment consists of the practice of veterinary medicine <Each of
12-61 the following fees imposed by or under another section of this Act
12-62 is increased by $200:>
12-63 <(1) any examination fee established by the Board; and>
12-64 <(2) any license renewal fee established by the Board.>
12-65 <(b) Of each fee increase collected, $50 shall be deposited
12-66 to the credit of the foundation school fund and $150 shall be
12-67 deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund. This
12-68 subsection applies to the disposition of each fee increase
12-69 regardless of any other provision of law providing for a different
12-70 disposition of funds>.
13-1 SECTION 32. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
13-2 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Sections 23 and 24 to read
13-3 as follows:
13-4 Sec. 23. (a) The practice of a veterinarian who leases
13-5 space from and practices veterinary medicine on the premises of a
13-6 mercantile establishment must be owned by a licensed veterinarian.
13-7 The practice and the leased premises must be under the exclusive
13-8 control of a licensed veterinarian. The leased space must be
13-9 definite and apart from the space occupied by other occupants of
13-10 the premises. The space must be separated from space used by other
13-11 occupants of the premises by the use of solid, opaque partitions or
13-12 walls from floor to ceiling. Railings, curtains, and other similar
13-13 arrangements are not sufficient to comply with the requirement of
13-14 the subsection. The leased space shall have a patient's entrance
13-15 opening on a public street, hall, lobby, corridor, or other public
13-16 thoroughfare. The aisle of a mercantile establishment does not
13-17 comply with the requirement of this subsection. An entrance to the
13-18 leased space is not a patient's entrance within the meaning of this
13-19 subsection unless the entrance is actually used as an entrance by
13-20 the veterinarian's patients. No part of the veterinarian's
13-21 practice may be conducted as a department or concession of the
13-22 mercantile veterinary establishment and there may not be legends or
13-23 signs stating "Veterinary Department" or other similar words
13-24 displayed in the premises or in any advertising for the premises.
13-25 A veterinarian may not permit the veterinarian's name to be
13-26 directly or indirectly associated with the mercantile
13-27 establishment. This paragraph shall not prohibit the delivery of
13-28 temporary limited-service veterinary activities, including
13-29 preventative veterinary services, such as vaccinations and testing,
13-30 at a mercantile establishment not owned or under the exclusive
13-31 control of a veterinarian so long as such services are delivered by
13-32 a veterinarian and are periodic only in nature. The Board may
13-33 establish by rule the conditions under which such services may be
13-34 provided.
13-35 (b) All patient and business records of the practice are the
13-36 sole property of the veterinarian and free from the control of the
13-37 mercantile establishment or any person not licensed under this Act.
13-38 Business records essential to the initiation or continuation of a
13-39 percentage of gross receipts lease of space may be inspected by the
13-40 applicable lessor. Nothing in this subsection prohibits a
13-41 veterinarian from entering into a management agreement and
13-42 permitting employees or agents of the management company to have
13-43 access to or copies of patient records as necessary for management
13-44 functions.
13-45 (c) It shall not be construed as a violation of this Act for
13-46 a veterinarian or a business entity authorized by the provisions of
13-47 this Act to render veterinary services to lease space, to pay for
13-48 franchise fees or other services on a percentage of receipts basis,
13-49 or to sell, transfer, or assign accounts receivable.
13-50 Sec. 24. In the event of the death of a licensed
13-51 veterinarian, the practice ownership and patient records become the
13-52 property of the veterinarian's heirs to dispose of as necessary not
13-53 later than the second anniversary of the veterinarian's death.
13-54 SECTION 33. Section 483.042, Health and Safety Code, is
13-55 amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
13-56 (e) The labeling provisions of Subsection (a) do not apply
13-57 to a dangerous drug prescribed or dispensed for administration to
13-58 food production animals in an agricultural operation under a
13-59 written medical directive or treatment guideline from a
13-60 veterinarian licensed under The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article
13-61 8890, Revised Statutes) and its subsequent amendments.
13-62 SECTION 34. (a) On the effective date of this Act, a
13-63 contested case pending before the State Board of Veterinary Medical
13-64 Examiners is transferred to the State Office of Administrative
13-65 Hearings. A proceeding transferred under this subsection is
13-66 treated as if the actions taken in the proceedings had been taken
13-67 by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
13-68 (b) The changes in law made by this Act relating to a
13-69 penalty that may be imposed apply only to a violation of The
13-70 Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890, Revised Statutes) or a rule
14-1 adopted by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that
14-2 occurs on or after the effective date of this Act only if each
14-3 element of the violation occurs on or after that date. A violation
14-4 that occurs before the effective date of this Act is governed by
14-5 the law in effect on the date the violation occurred, and the
14-6 former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
14-7 (c) The changes in law made by this Act in the
14-8 qualifications of members of the State Board of Veterinary Medical
14-9 Examiners do not affect the entitlement of a member appointed
14-10 before September 1, 1993, to continue to hold office on the board
14-11 for the term for which the member was appointed. The changes in
14-12 the qualifications apply only to a member appointed on or after
14-13 September 1, 1993.
14-14 SECTION 35. This Act takes effect September 1, 1993.
14-15 SECTION 36. The importance of this legislation and the
14-16 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
14-17 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
14-18 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
14-19 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
14-20 * * * * *
14-21 Austin,
14-22 Texas
14-23 April 20, 1993
14-24 Hon. Bob Bullock
14-25 President of the Senate
14-26 Sir:
14-27 We, your Committee on Natural Resources to which was referred S.B.
14-28 No. 623, have had the same under consideration, and I am instructed
14-29 to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
14-30 not pass, but that the Committee Substitute adopted in lieu thereof
14-31 do pass and be printed.
14-32 Truan,
14-33 Vice-Chairman
14-34 * * * * *
14-35 WITNESSES
14-36 FOR AGAINST ON
14-37 ___________________________________________________________________
14-38 Name: Donald M. Ward x
14-39 Representing: TVMA
14-40 City: Austin
14-41 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-42 Name: Ellis Gilleland x
14-43 Representing: Self et al
14-44 City: Austin
14-45 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-46 Name: Johnnie B. Rogers x
14-47 Representing: TVA Gen. Practioners
14-48 City: Austin
14-49 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-50 Name: Barry W. Allen x
14-51 Representing: TVA Gen. Practioners
14-52 City: Old Glory
14-53 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-54 Name: Deborah B. Reeder x
14-55 Representing: TARVT
14-56 City: Flower Mound
14-57 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-58 Name: Joey Longley x
14-59 Representing: Sunset Comm.
14-60 City: Austin
14-61 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-62 Name: Ron Allen x
14-63 Representing: Sunset Comm.
14-64 City: Austin
14-65 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-66 Name: Karen Alexander x
14-67 Representing: Tx. Bd. Vet. Med. Examiners
14-68 City: Austin
14-69 -------------------------------------------------------------------
14-70 Name: Buddy Mautzick x
15-1 Representing: Tx. Bd. Vet. Med. Examiners
15-2 City: Austin
15-3 -------------------------------------------------------------------
15-4 Name: Christopher Mackza x
15-5 Representing: Vet Board
15-6 City: Austin
15-7 -------------------------------------------------------------------