LSL H.B. 2641 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC HEALTH H.B. 2641 By: Seaman 4-2-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Peer assistance programs for professional occupations offer services to their members who have developed living problems as the result of emotional, mental, or substance abuse abuse situations. Most peer assistance programs are funded by licensing of individuals or licensing renewal of professional individuals. The Texas Dental Peer Assistance Program, an independent Texas corporation, is endorsed and promoted by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and the Texas Dental Association. It is primarily funded by a surcharge inclusive in dentist and hygienist license fees. Legislation is needed to raise the allowable surcharge rate that the Texas Board of Dental Examiners may charge. The surcharge rate, which no longer generates the amounts necessary to fund the Dental Peer Assistance Program, has not been raised since its inception in 1989 and only affects practicing dentists and dental hygienists. PURPOSE HB 2641 enables the Texas Board of Dental Examiners to raise the rate of its allowable surcharge on professional licenses in order to raise funds for the Dental Peer Assistance Program. 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 Section 467.004(a), Health and Safety Code, to exempt Section 467.0041(b), Health and Safety Code, from the $5 surcharge limit placed on license and license renewal fees to fund approved peer assistance programs. Section 2. Amends Section 467.0041(b), Health and Safety Code, to allow the Board of Dental Examiners to add a surcharge of not more than $10 on licensing or licensing renewal. This change would increase the allowable surcharge fee from the present $5 limit to a $10 limit. Section 3. Effective date is September 1, 1997. Section 4. Emergency Clause.