SRC-HRD S.B. 770 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 770 By: Moncrief Finance 3-13-97 As Filed DIGEST 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. S.B. 770 would allow the board to increase its peer assistance fee to $10 per new license or license renewal. In addition, this bill would have no effect on the maximum fee that could be charged by other state agencies. PURPOSE As proposed, 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 This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. 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.