AN ACT 1-1 relating to the study of barriers to the binational exchange of 1-2 health information. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. (a) The Texas Department of Health shall study 1-5 federal and state laws inhibiting the: 1-6 (1) exchange of information on disease and 1-7 epidemiological reporting between Texas and the United Mexican 1-8 States; and 1-9 (2) cross-border exchange of equipment and personnel 1-10 to provide technical assistance and to enhance the capacity of 1-11 Texas and the United Mexican States to obtain and exchange the 1-12 information. 1-13 (b) The Texas Department of Health may appoint an advisory 1-14 committee under Chapter 2110, Government Code, to assist it to 1-15 perform its duties under this Act. 1-16 (c) Not later than January 15, 2001, the Texas Department of 1-17 Health shall issue a report describing the department's 1-18 recommendations to the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the 1-19 house of representatives. 1-20 (d) This section expires September 1, 2001. 1-21 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1857 passed the Senate on April 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 11, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1857 passed the House, with amendment, on May 8, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor