78R4755 MCK-D

By:  Keffer of Eastland                                           H.B. No. 1325



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the rural physician assistant loan reimbursement 
program.       
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 204.104(b) and (c), Occupations Code, 
are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The  Office of Rural Community Affairs shall [establish 
policies for and adopt rules to] administer the rural physician 
assistant loan program, subject to Subsection (c).  [(c)] The 
physician assistant board shall authorize and the medical board 
shall transfer annually the funds designated under Subsection (a) 
to the Office of Rural Community Affairs to administer the loan 
program.
	(c)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the 
Office of Rural Community Affairs by rule shall adopt a memorandum 
of understanding.  The memorandum of understanding must require:
		(1)  the coordinating board to apply for any federal 
funds for the loan program;
		(2)  the coordinating board to transfer any federal 
funds the coordinating board receives for the loan program to the 
Office of Rural Community Affairs; and
		(3)  the Office of Rural Community Affairs to perform 
any other necessary activity to administer the loan program, 
including adopting rules and completing reports and applications.
	SECTION 2.  Section 487.052, Government Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	Sec. 487.052.  RULES.  The executive committee may adopt 
rules as necessary to implement this chapter and any program the 
office administers in accordance with a memorandum of 
understanding.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.