SRC-LBB H.B. 948 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 948
78R4812 EMT-FBy: Crownover (Fraser)
State Affairs
5/9/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Racing Commission (TRC) was created in 1986 under the Texas
Racing Act. The original Act required TRC to consist of eight appointed
members, two of whom were required to be licensed veterinarians, with one
of the veterinarians specializing in the treatment of small animals and
one specializing in large animals. Veterinarians were included on TRC to
evaluate the extent to which a rule might affect the health of the
animals. In 1997, changes were made to the Act following TRC's sunset
review which removed the requirement that two TRC members be licensed
veterinarians. 

H.B. 948 requires that at least one of the six appointed members of TRC be
a licensed veterinarian. 

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 2.05(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
V.T.C.S.) to require three, rather than four of the appointed members of
the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) to be representatives of the general
public and have general knowledge of business or agribusiness. Requires
one appointed member to be a veterinarian.    

SECTION 2.   (a)  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.

(b)  Provides that the change in law made by this Act relating to the
qualifications for membership on TRC does not affect the eligibility of a
TRC member serving immediately before the effective date of this Act to
continue to serve for the term to which the member was appointed.
Requires the governor to appoint a veterinarian to TRC in accordance with
Section 2.05(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, V.T.C.S.), as amended by
this Act, to fill the next vacancy that occurs after the effective date of
this Act in a position held by a TRC member representing the general
public.