SRC-HRD H.B. 2170 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2170 By: Kubiak (Armbrister) Finance 4-30-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Department of Health is required to collect fees for radioactive material licenses and registrations. The minimum fee for failure to pay on time is fixed statutorily at $100. However, many small licensees (e.g., dentists, veterinarians) pay annual license and registration fees of only $100. Thus the additional cost of a late fee effectively doubles the cost for small-time operators. This bill would change the late fee so that it is equal to 20 percent of the amount of the annual license and registration fee, rather than a flat fee of $100. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2170 replaces the current late fee collected by the Department of Health of $100 with 20 percent of the amount of the annual license and registration fee, for a person licensed to process radioactive materials. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 401.301(c), Health and Safety Code, to authorize the Department of Health to collect a fee, in addition to the annual license and registration fee, of not less than 20 percent of the amount of the annual license and registration fee, rather than $100, nor more than $10,000 per annum from each license or registrant who fails to pay the fees authorized by this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.