SRC-MWN H.B. 42 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 42 By: McClendon (Ogden) Education 5/4/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Prairie View A&M University (university) does not offer a doctor of medicine degree program. Statistics from the Texas Department of Health report entitled, "Texas Health Facts Data 1999," show a shortage of physicians who serve populations in rural areas. For example, in rural Waller County, where the university is located, the direct care physician to population ratio is 1:3,625. In neighboring and predominantly urban Harris County, the ratio is 1:549. Similar disparities are evident in other areas of the state, indicating a need for increased production of doctor of medicine degree graduates. H.B. 42 authorizes The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with the assistance of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board), to conduct a feasibility study regarding an affiliation or coordinating agreement between the board and any institution of higher education to provide the clinical education necessary to support a doctor of medicine degree program at the university. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 87B, Education Code, by adding Section 87.107, as follows: Sec. 87.107. FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING CREATION OF DOCTOR OF MEDICINE DEGREE PROGRAM. (a) Provides that "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), with the assistance of the board of regents of the Texas A&M University System, to conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of an affiliation or coordinating agreement between the board of regents and any institution of higher education to provide the clinical education necessary to support a doctor of medicine degree program at Prairie View A&M University. (c) Requires a study conducted under Subsection (b) to be completed on or before December 31, 2002. (d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.