SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 1400 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1400 By: Nixon Health Services 5/13/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, the Texas Optometry Act regulates the practice of optometry in Texas. C.S.S.B. 1400 sets forth certain requirements for an examination and authorizes the Texas optometry Board to issue a license to practice therapeutic optometry without requiring the applicant to pass an examination, if the applicant meets certain requirements. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1400 regulates the practice of optometry. 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 Section 3.02(a), Article 4552, V.T.C.S. (Texas Optometry Act), to authorize an applicant to take the examination without having graduated if a person meets certain requirements. SECTION 2. Amends Article 3, Article 4552-3.01, by adding Section 3.085, as follows: Sec. 3.085. LICENSE WITHOUT EXAMINATION. Authorizes the Texas Optometry Board to issue a license to practice therapeutic optometry without requiring the applicant to pass all or part of the examination required by Section 3.01 of this Act if the applicant meets certain requirements. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.