HBA-RAR H.B. 426 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 426 By: Turner, Bob Agriculture & Livestock 2/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) is not statutorily required to have a degree in veterinary medicine. However, the current mission of the commission is to identify, prevent, diagnose, control, and eradicate diseases and conditions that affect livestock, poultry, and exotic animals. This mission gives the position of executive director a significant scientific dimension requiring specialized education in veterinary medicine. H.B. 426 provides that the executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission must hold a degree in veterinary medicine and a license issued by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, by adding Section 161.0305, to provide that the executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission must hold a degree in veterinary medicine and a license issued by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.