HBA-EDN, CBW H.B. 42 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 42
By: McClendon
Higher Education
7/19/2001
Enrolled

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) did 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. House Bill 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 PVAMU. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 42 amends the Education Code to authorize The Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB), 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 Prairie View A&M University.  The bill provides that THECB's
authorization to conduct such a feasibility study expires September 1,
2003, and the feasibility study must be completed on or before December 31,
2002. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 11, 2001.