BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2346

                                                                                                                                      By: Anderson

                                                                                                                     Agriculture & Livestock

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

In the Regular session of the 79th Texas Legislature, Section 801.362 was added to the Occupations Code to allow a veterinarian to dispense a drug prescribed by another veterinarian in emergency situations.  however, there have been and could continue to be incidents in which a pet owner from out of state traveling with their pet cannot get their pet's prescription refilled.

 

Current law defines veterinarian as licensed by the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, and Section 801.362 as added by the 79th Texas Legislature fails to contemplate the most obvious situation in which a pet owner would need a prescription filled by a different veterinarian than the one who originally issued it.

 

HB 2346 would allow for the dispensing of drugs prescribed by another veterinarian, including a veterinarian licensed in another state.

 

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

 

HB 2346 amends the Occupations Code to allow for the dispensing of drugs prescribed by another veterinarian, including a veterinarian licensed in another state.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.