AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Physician Assistant Board (PAB) has nine members appointed by the governor. Of these nine members, only three of them must have at least five years of clinical experience as a physician's assistant. Many healthcare-related boards, such as the Texas Medical Board, have a majority of their members who practice in the field the board regulates, due to the complexity in understanding the intricacies of the occupation. Members of PAB are appointed for staggered six-year terms. The terms of three members expire on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
S.B. 622 proposes changing the number of members on PAB to 13. Seven of the thirteen members must have at least five years of clinical experience as a physician's assistant. Expanding the number of members on PAB will aid in obtaining a quorum for their meetings. The terms of four or five members, as applicable, will expire on February 1 of each odd-numbered year. Lastly, the governor shall designate a physician assistant member of PAB as the presiding officer and that individual will serve at the will of the governor.
As proposed, S.B. 622 amends current law relating to the physician assistant board.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 204.052(a), Occupations Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that the physician assistant board (PAB) consists of 13, rather than nine, members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:
(1) seven, rather than three, practicing physician assistant members who each have at least five years of clinical experience as a physician assistant;
(2) and (3) Makes no change to these subdivisions.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 204.054(a), Occupations Code, to provide that the terms of four or five members of PAB, as applicable, rather than three members of PAB, expire on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 204.055, Occupations Code, as follows:
Sec. 204.055. OFFICERS. Requires the governor to designate a physician assistant member of PAB as the presiding officer of PAB to serve in that capacity at the will of the governor. Requires PAB to select from its membership a secretary to serve a one-year term.
SECTION 4. Requires the governor, not later than November 1, 2015, to appoint four members to PAB as provided by Section 204.052(a)(1), Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, as follows:
(1) one member for a term expiring February 1, 2017;
(2) one member for a term expiring February 1, 2019; and
(3) two members for terms expiring February 1, 2021.
SECTION 5. Provides that, if, on the effective date of this Act, the presiding officer of PAB does not meet the qualifications for office as presiding officer under Section 204.055, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act, the presiding officer is removed from office as presiding officer on that date. Requires the governor, as soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Act, to appoint a presiding officer who meets the qualifications under Section 204.055, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2015.