By Hardcastle                                         H.B. No. 1018
         77R230 GJH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the processing of certain applications submitted to the
 1-3     Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 155.1025 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 155.1025.  EXPEDITED PROCESS FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS. The
 1-8     board shall adopt rules for expediting any application for a
 1-9     license under this subtitle made by a person who is licensed to
1-10     practice medicine in another state and who submits an affidavit
1-11     with the application that the applicant intends to practice in a
1-12     rural community as determined by the Center for Rural Health
1-13     Initiatives.
1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-15     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-16     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-17     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-18     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.