H.B. 1040 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


HB 1040
Rick Noriega
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas State Veterans Homes Program (TSVH) entered a contract with the
United States Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) for the provision of
pharmaceuticals to the state homes for the cost savings afforded by the
USDVA.  Because of the current requirements under Section 562.108,
Occupations Code, the USDVA cannot provide or stock the emergency
medication kits for the Homes.  The TSVH must use outside pharmacies for
these provisions, which increases the TSVH's overall pharmaceutical costs. 

HB 1040 would allow the TSVH to use a USDVA pharmacy or other federally
operated pharmacies for the provision and stocking of the Homes' emergency
medication kits. 

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.  Section 562.108, Occupations Code, is amended by adding
language to allow a United States Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacy
to maintain controlled substances and dangerous drugs in an emergency
medication kit used at Texas State Veterans Homes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective Date:  The effective date of this Act is September
1, 2003, unless it receives the necessary votes for immediate effect.