BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3315

84R15178 YBD-F

By: Gutierrez (Eltife)

 

Business & Commerce

 

5/11/2015

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Participants in the recent Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) strategic planning process identified a need for the medical advisory committee advising TDLR to have a broader focus in its consideration of combative sports-related issues and suggested that the committee's composition be altered to provide the panel with additional expertise regarding such issues. Interested parties have suggested an expansion of the medical advisory committee's membership to include not only licensed doctors, emergency medical technicians, and public members, but also licensed referees, licensed judges, and licensed boxing and mixed martial arts promoters. H.B. 3315 seeks to amend the applicable law relating to the medical advisory committee.

 

H.B. 3315 amends current law relating to changing the name of the Medical Advisory Committee appointed by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to the Combative Sports Advisory Board and allowing the board to address a broader range of issues.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 2052.055, Occupations Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2052.055, Occupations Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 2052.055.  New heading: COMBATIVE SPORTS ADVISORY BOARD.  (a)  Authorizes the presiding officer of the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR), with TCLR's approval, to appoint a combative sports advisory board to advise the Texas Department of  Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) concerning issues relating to combative sports events and contestants.

 

(b)  Changes reference to committee to board.

 

Deletes existing text authorizing the presiding officer of TCLR, with TCLR's approval, to appoint a medical advisory committee to advise TDLR concerning health issues for combative sports event contestants.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2015.