BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1620
By: Junell
April 18, 1995
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Article 8890 (Veterinary Licensing Act), Revised Civil Statutes,
Section 19, provides that the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
may establish by rule and collect reasonable and necessary fees to
produce sufficient revenue to cover the costs of administering this
Act.

PURPOSE

The bill allows the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to raise
examination and license renewal fees by $200.  It also provides for
the allocation of the revenue to the foundation school fund and the
general revenue fund.

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.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Veterinary Licensing Act, (Article 8890 Revised
           Statutes) by adding Section 25.

           (a) Raises the fee for license renewal by $200.

           (b) Of each fee increase collected, $50 shall be
           deposited in the foundation school fund and $150 to the
           general revenue fund.  This subsection applies to the
           disposition of each fee increase regardless of any other
           provision of the law providing for a different
           disposition of funds.

           (c) The increase in the renewal fee does not apply to:
           anyone exempt from paying the annual renewal fee under
           Section 13(f), Veterinary Licensing Fee (licensees who
           are on active duty with the Armed Forces who do not
           engage in private or civilian practice, licensees who
           are permanently and totally retired), and licensees who
           are on inactive status under Section 10B(b) of the
           Veterinary Licensing Act

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1995;
           Applies only to fees paid on or after the effective
           date.  An examination fee or license renewal fee paid
           before September 1, 1995, is governed by the law as it
           existed immediately before the effective date, and that
           law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.







COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

H.B. 1620 increased the fees for license renewal and for any
examination by the Board, while C.S.H.B. 1620 only applies to
license renewal fees.  C.S.H.B. 1620 also exempts from paying the
fee increase, licensees who are on active duty with the Armed
Forces who do not engage in private or civilian practice, licensees
who are permanently and totally retired, and licensees who are on
inactive status under Section 10B(b) of the Veterinary Licensing
Act.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Public notice was posted in accordance with the rules, and a public
hearing was held on April 4, 1995.  Representative Junell explained
the bill.  The committee considered a complete substitute by
Representative Heflin.  The Committee considered amendment #1 to
the substitute by Representative Heflin.  Without objection, the
committee adopted committee amendment #1.  The Chair directed the
committee staff to incorporate committee amendment #1 into the
substitute.  Without objection, the committee adopted C.S.H.B.
1620.  By a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and
4 absent, the committee voted to report H.B. 1620 to the House as
substituted with the recommendation that it do pass.

     Testimony received in favor of the bill:
           Donald M. Ward, representing the Texas Veterinary
           Medical Assn.
           Ellis Gilleland, representing himself