BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2261

By: Walle

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent reports indicate that the percentage of physicians choosing to practice in Texas is too low to adequately serve the aging and underserved populations in both urban and rural areas in the state. Furthermore, the debt with which physicians in the United States graduate creates a financial burden and discourages physicians from practicing in historically underserved areas due to the lack of sufficient incentives. H.B. 2261 seeks to increase physician retention in Texas by providing physicians with greater loan repayment assistance.

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 this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2261 amends the Education Code to increase the maximum amount of education loan repayment assistance a qualifying physician may receive for each year for which the physician establishes eligibility for the assistance as follows:

· for the first year, from $25,000 to $30,000;

· for the second year, from $35,000 to $40,000;

· for the third year, from $45,000 to $50,000; and

· for the fourth year, from $55,000 to $60,000.

The bill raises the cap on the total amount of repayment assistance made to an individual physician from $160,000 to $180,000.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.