SRC-TJG H.B. 3213 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3213
78R5379 DWS-FBy: Cook, Robby (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/14/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Texas law currently allows health professionals such as physicians,
podiatrists and dentists to form business entities known as "professional
associations."  Only those health professionals specifically listed in the
Texas Professional Association Act are allowed to form professional
associations.  Veterinarians are not currently listed in the statutes and
thus are currently prohibited from forming professional associations.
H.B. 3213 amends the Texas Professional Association Act to authorize one
or more persons duly licensed to practice veterinary medicine to form a
professional association in compliance with the Act. 

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(A), Texas Professional Association Act
(Article 1528f, V.T.C.S.), to add veterinary medicine to the list of
professions of which any one or more persons duly licensed to practice may
form a certain professional partnership, by associating themselves for the
purpose of performing professional services and dividing the gains
therefrom as stated in articles of association. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.