SRC-DPW S.B. 1314 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1314 76R7133 AJA-DBy: Armbrister State Affairs 4/12/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, veterinarians employed by the Texas Department of Health (TDH) are required to have a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, be either board certified in Veterinary Preventative Medicine or have an advanced degree relevant to public health, and pass the State Board Licensing Examination. Due to the stringent requirements, the pool of qualified applicants for veterinary positions at TDH is very small. This bill would allow special licenses to be granted to veterinarians employed by the Texas Racing Commission provided that the applicant passes the jurisprudence section of the licensing examination, and sets forth regulations for horse and greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1314 sets forth regulations for horse and greyhound racing and pari-mutuel wagering. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Racing Commission and the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in SECTION 9(b) and (c) of this Act. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 3.07(d), Article 179e, V.T.C.S. (Texas Racing Act), to require medication and drug testing performed on a race animal to be conducted by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). Deletes text regarding the selection of a laboratory and authorizing TVMDL to aid in the selection of a laboratory. SECTION 2. Amends Section 6.08(i), Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to delete text regarding Appaloosa horses in the Texas Appaloosa Horse Club. SECTION 3. Amends Section 9.02, Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 11.011(e), Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to provide that each track, rather than the track where the race originates, is responsible for the state's share of the money wagered at that track, if intrastate wagering pools are combined between tracks. Deletes a provision regarding parimutuel pool wagering. SECTION 5. Amends Section 11.07(a), Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to require person holding an uncashed pari-mutuel voucher within a reasonable period established by Texas Racing Commission (TRC) rule after the person first becomes entitled to the money, to file a certain claim with the pari-mutuel voucher, as applicable. Deletes text regarding persons who fail to claim certain money. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Section 11.08, Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to require a person licensed under this Act to conduct a horse race meeting or a greyhound race meeting with pari-mutuel wagering to pay to TRC all distributable money, including money from uncashed pari-mutuel vouchers, as soon as practicable after the period provided by Subsection (a) of this section for a person to file a claim expires. SECTION 7. Amends Section 10A(a), Article 8890, V.T.C.S. (The Veterinary Licensing Act), to authorize the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (board) to issue a special license to a veterinarian employee of TRC. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 8. Repealer: Sections 1.03(11) and (12) and Section 6.16, Article 179e, V.T.C.S. (regarding Appaloosa horses, Appaloosa racing, and employment of former commission members or employees). SECTION 9. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Requires TRC and the board to adopt certain rules by January 1, 2000. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 10. Emergency clause.