BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1844

By: Branch

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is currently referenced in statute as The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, although in practice, the institution does not reference the city of Dallas on printed materials related to the institution. H.B. 1844 seeks to align statute with practice by eliminating "at Dallas" from the institution's official name in statute.

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

H.B. 1844 amends the Education Code to rename The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas as The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and establishes that a reference in law to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas means The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and that an appropriation for the use and benefit of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas is available for the use and benefit of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The bill requires the board of regents of The University of Texas System and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas to ensure that the name change is implemented with as little unnecessary cost as possible and requires the medical center to use to the maximum extent practicable all stationery and other consumable supplies that are printed with the institution's former name and are in its possession on the bill's effective date.

H.B. 1844 amends the Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Occupations Code to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.