SRC-HRD S.B. 1018 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1018 By: Armbrister Finance 3-19-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners maintains a peer assistance program for veterinarians in Texas. Funding derives from a fee charged to veterinarians seeking a license to practice in Texas. This bill would authorize the board to use penalties collected to provide additional funding for the peer assistance program. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1018 requires the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to remit certain penalties collected to the comptroller for deposit into a special account to be appropriated only to fund the peer assistance program for licensed veterinarians. 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 Article 8890, V.T.C.S. (The Veterinary Licensing Act), by adding Section 8A, as follows: Sec. 8A. Requires the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (board) to establish or approve a peer assistance program for persons licensed under this Act. Requires the peer assistance program, except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, to comply with Chapter 467, Health and Safety Code. Provides that the peer assistance program is funded as provided by Section 14B(r) of this Act. Provides that Section 467.004, Health and Safety Code, does not apply to the peer assistance program established or approved under this section. SECTION 2. Amends Section 14B(r), Article 8890, V.T.C.S., to require the board to remit a penalty collected under this section to the comptroller for deposit in the general revenue fund to the credit of a special account. Authorizes money in the account to be appropriated only to fund the peer assistance program under Section 8A of this Act. Requires the comptroller, at the end of each fiscal year, to transfer all unobligated and unexpended amounts in the account to the undedicated portion of the general revenue fund. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.