H.B. 759 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 759 By: Wilson Border and International Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE An alternative method of purchasing medications could involve visiting the United Mexican States (Mexico) and buying medications there. HB 759 would establish a transportation service to assist elderly individuals and other residents of this state in the purchase of medication in Mexico. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. House Bill 759 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas State Department on Aging (department) to provide a low-cost transportation service to assist elderly individuals and other residents of this state in traveling to Mexico to purchase medications. The bill requires the department to provide these services by operating buses or other appropriate vehicles between areas in this state, which must include both urban and rural areas selected by the Texas Board on Aging, and areas in Mexico near the border. HB 759 requires the department to charge a fee to recover the cost of operating the service and authorizes the department to contract with a commercial bus company to operate the service. SECTION 2. Effective date. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.