RLV S.B. 770 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC HEALTH S.B. 770 By: Moncrief (Seaman) 5-8-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Texas law provides for the establishment of peer assistance programs by state licensing agencies. These programs provide assistance to licensed individuals and students primarily in the areas of substance abuse and mental illness. Funding for peer assistance programs, including the program operated through the State Board of Dental Examiners, is primarily generated by a maximum $5 fee levied on new licenses and license renewals. PURPOSE S.B. 770 authorizes the State Board of Dental Examiners to add a surcharge of not more than $10 to its license or license renewal fee to fund an approved 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 authorize a licensing or disciplinary authority, except as provided by Section 467.0041(b), to add a surcharge of not more than $5 to its license or license renewal fee to fund an approved peer assistance program. SECTION 2. Amends Section 467.0041(b), Health and Safety Code, to authorize the State Board of Dental Examiners to add a surcharge of not more than $10, rather than $5, to its license or license renewal fee to fund an approved peer assistance program. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.