1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to peer assistance programs for licensed veterinarians.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. The Veterinary Licensing Act (Article 8890,
1-5 Revised Statutes) is amended by adding Section 8A to read as
1-6 follows:
1-7 Sec. 8A. (a) The Board shall establish or approve a peer
1-8 assistance program for persons licensed under this Act.
1-9 (b) The peer assistance program must comply with Chapter
1-10 467, Health and Safety Code.
1-11 (c) In addition to the authority for funding as provided by
1-12 Section 467.004, Health and Safety Code, the peer assistance
1-13 program shall be funded as provided by Section 14B(r) of this Act.
1-14 SECTION 2. Section 14B(r), The Veterinary Licensing Act
1-15 (Article 8890, Revised Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
1-16 (r) The Board shall remit a [A] penalty collected under this
1-17 section [shall be remitted] to the comptroller for deposit in the
1-18 general revenue fund to the credit of the peer assistance
1-19 appropriation. Penalties collected shall be reappropriated to the
1-20 Board for the purpose of funding the peer assistance program. At
1-21 the end of each fiscal year, the comptroller shall transfer all
1-22 unobligated and unexpended amounts in the account to the
1-23 undedicated portion of the general revenue fund.
1-24 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997, and
2-1 applies to an administrative penalty collected by the State Board
2-2 of Veterinary Medical Examiners on or after that date.
2-3 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-4 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-5 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-6 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-7 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1577 was passed by the House on April
11, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1577 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 1997, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor