SRC-MKV S.B. 1046 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1046 77R4714 MCK-DBy: Moncrief Health & Human Services 3/12/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Chapter 431 of the Health and Safety Code requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to regulate all levels of manufacturing and distribution of foods, drugs, devices, and cosmetic products. Subchapter B, Prohibited Acts, sets out enumerated prohibited acts, and although implied, Section 431.021 does not specifically state that failure to obtain a license when required is a prohibited act. Additionally, Section 431.045 allows for an emergency order against a manufacturer who is making an adulterated, misbranded, or dangerous product, however, a similar provision does not exits for a distributor or wholesaler of an adulterated, misbranded, or dangerous product. S.B. 1046 provides that the failure of a wholesaler or distributor to obtain a valid license is a violation of the prohibited acts section, and it allows TDH "emergency closure" authority for situations where conditions that pose an imminent hazard to public health exist in a regulated establishment. 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 431.021, Health and Safety Code, to prohibit engaging in the manufacture of food in this state or operating as a food wholesaler in this state without having a license as required by Section 431.222. Deletes language relating to first registering with the Texas Department of Health (department) before engaging in the manufacture of food in this state. SECTION 2. Amends Section 431.045(a), Health and Safety Code, to authorize the commissioner of health (commissioner) or a person designated by the commissioner to issue an emergency order, either mandatory or prohibitory in nature, in relation to the manufacture or distribution of a food, drug, device, or cosmetic in the department's jurisdiction if the commissioner or the person designated by the commissioner determines certain problems. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.