BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 826

By: Zerwas

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the ratio of primary care physicians to population in Texas and regarding projections of possible physician shortages, particularly in that field of practice. H.B. 826 seeks to address these concerns and increase the total availability of residency positions in the state by establishing a college of medicine at the University of Houston.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the board of regents of the University of Houston System in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 826 amends the Education Code to establish the University of Houston College of Medicine as a college of the University of Houston under the management and control of the board of regents of the University of Houston System with degrees offered under the name and authority of the University of Houston. The bill authorizes the dean of the college, on behalf of the board, to execute and carry out an affiliation or coordinating agreement with any other entity or institution in the college's region. The bill authorizes the board to do the following:

· prescribe courses leading to customary degrees;

· adopt rules for the operation, control, and management of the college as necessary for conducting a college of medicine of the first class;

· solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of the college; and

· enter into agreements under which facilities that are used in the college's teaching and research programs and that are additional to the college's facilities may be provided by a public or private entity.

H.B. 826 establishes that a teaching hospital considered suitable by the board may be provided by a public or private entity and prohibits the construction, maintenance, or operation of such a hospital with state funds.

H.B. 826 classifies the University of Houston College of Medicine as a medical and dental unit for purposes of the Higher Education Coordinating Act of 1965. The bill includes the college among the health-related institutions of higher education eligible for appropriations from the permanent health fund for higher education and among the institutions to which statutory provisions relating to medical malpractice coverage for certain institutions and statutory provisions relating to contracts with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the establishment and operation of certain family practice medical residency programs apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.