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.