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.