BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1488 By: Zaffirini (Berlanga) May 12, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND In 1993, the Texas Legislature created the Health Professions Council (HPC) for the purpose of coordinating the administrative and support services of the state regulatory boards that license health care professionals. HPC is composed of a representative from each independent board plus one individual representing the 10 licensing boards administratively attached to the Professional Licensing and Certification Division of the Texas Department of Health. These boards, along with the independent boards, contribute financial support to HPC and believe their combined representation by a single individual has created an inequitable situation. PURPOSE S.B. 1488 would expand the membership of the Health Professions Council. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 1(b), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes, to add to the membership of the Health Professions Council (council) one representative appointed by each of the following entities: the professional, rather than health, licensing division of the Texas Department of Health; the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers; the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists; the Texas Board of Nursing Facility Administrators; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Perfusionists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; the Texas Board of Licensure for Professional Medical Physicists; the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners; and the Physician Assistant Advisory Council. Makes nonsubstantive, clarifying changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 8(d), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes, to require the council to report to the 74th and 75th Legislatures certain administrative functions performed by the boards listed in Section 1(b) of this article. Deletes provisions regarding a memorandum of understanding and the reporting of a uniform budget plan. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. (a) Requires the state board, committee or committee added to the Health Professions Council by this Act, as soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, to appoint that entity's representative to the council. (b) Declares a quorum of the Health Professions Council to be a majority of the members who have qualified for office, until all initial appointments are made under Sections 1(b)(15)-(25), Article 4512p, Revised Statutes, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 1488 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a formal meeting on May 12, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, and with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV, and 4 absent.