SRC-DPW H.B. 765 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 765
76R3501 DLF-DBy: Madden (Moncrief)
Health Services
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the revenue processing system used by the Texas Department of
Health (TDH) in the licensing of wholesale manufacturers, distributors,
food salvage companies, and water vending machines, can take up to 12
working days.  Such a system makes it difficult for businesses to track the
progress of a license application  in its early stages.  This bill would
require the Department of Health to reduce license fee processing time to
48 hours for wholesale and manufactured food licenses and food salvage
licenses. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 765 requires the Department of Health to reduce license
fee processing time to 48 hours for wholesale and manufactured food
licenses and food salvage licenses. 

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 Chapter 431J, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
431.2245, as follows: 

Sec. 431.2245. PROCESSING OF LICENSING FEES. Requires the commissioner of
health (commissioner) to establish a system for processing licensing fees
under this chapter.  Prohibits the maximum time for processing a fee
payment made by a negotiable instrument from exceeding 48 hours, beginning
at the time the negotiable instrument is received by the Texas Department
of Health (department) and ending at the time that the fee payment is
submitted for deposit by the department to the treasury division of the
office of the comptroller.  Requires the comptroller to cooperate with the
commissioner in developing the fee processing system. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 432, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
432.0095, as follows: 

Sec. 432.0095. PROCESSING OF FOOD SALVAGE ESTABLISHMENT LICENSING FEES.
Requires the commissioner to establish a system for processing food salvage
establishment licensing fees.  Makes conforming changes.   

SECTION 3. Requires the commissioner of public health to implement the fee
processing systems required by Sections 431.2245 and 432.0095, Health and
Safety Code, not later than January 1, 2000. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.