SRC-BWC H.B. 2475 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2475
77R8905 GJH-FBy: Kolkhorst (Ogden)
State Affairs
5/8/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law authorizes the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
(board) to grant special licenses to specified individuals who have not met
certain performance requirements necessary to receive a regular license to
practice in Texas.  These licenses were generally provided to veterinarians
who were licensed in other states but preferred not to take the Texas
licensing examination.  Some veterinary programs at institutions of higher
education are having difficulty filling certain positions on their staffs
because private specialty veterinary practices can pay these specialists
more.  Graduates of foreign veterinary colleges who currently have to
complete a program maintained by the American Veterinary Medical
Association to practice may be willing to fill these vacant positions if
granted the requisite license.  H.B. 2475 authorizes the board to issue a
special license to an individual who has agreed to fill critical staffing
needs at the state's veterinary medicine program, the Texas Animal Health
Commission, or the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.   

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 Section 801.256, Occupations Code, to provide that an
applicant is eligible for a special license if the applicant provides to
the board a written affirmation by a person described under this section
that the applicant meets a critical need for staffing at the person's
institution and is certified by a nationally recognized veterinary
speciality board or is eligible for that certification.  Authorizes certain
people to provide a statement under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.