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.