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


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 948
78R13122 EMT-FBy: Crownover (Fraser)
State Affairs
5/20/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.  C.S.H.B. 948 requires the governor to appoint an
additional public member to TRC. 
 
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 2.02(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
V.T.C.S.) to provide that the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) consists of
seven, rather than six, members.    

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 2.03(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
V.T.C.S.) to provide that appointed members hold office for staggered
terms of six years with two or three members' terms expiring February 1 of
each odd-numbered year. 

SECTION 3.   Amends Section 2.05(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
V.T.C.S.) to require five, rather than four, of the appointed members of
(TRC) to be representatives of the general public and have general
knowledge of business or agribusiness.  Authorizes that at least one of
those appointed members be a veterinarian, and provides that being
licensed as a veterinarian satisfies the requirement that the person have
general knowledge of business or agribusiness.   
SECTION 4.   (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 an additional public member to TRC for a
term expiring on February 1, 2009, as soon as possible on or after
September 1, 2003.