SRC-CTC H.B. 1018 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1018 By: Hardcastle (Haywood) Health & Human Services 4/6/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, many rural communities in Texas are experiencing a shortage of health care professionals. As proposed, H.B. 1018 requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to aid rural and medically underserved areas recruit physicians from out of state by implementing an expedited licensing process for physicians who are already licensed in another state or country and intend to practice in a rural community in Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners in SECTION 1 (Section 155.1025, Occupations Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 155C, Occupations Code, by adding Section 155.1025, as follows: Sec. 155.1025. EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS. Requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (board) to adopt rules for expediting any application for a license under this subtitle made by a person who is licensed to practice medicine in another state or country and who submits an affidavit with the application that the applicant intends to practice in a rural community as determined by the Center for Rural Health Initiatives. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.