HBA-ALS H.B. 1243 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1243 By: Crownover Licensing & Administrative Procedures 3/30/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Texas Racing Commission (commission) was created in 1986 under the Texas Racing Act. The original Act required the commission to consist of eight appointed members, two of whom were required to be licensed veterinarians, with one of the veterinarians specializing in the treatment of small animals and one specializing in large animals. Veterinarians were included on the commission to evaluate the extent to which a rule might affect the health of the animals. In 1997, changes were made to the Act following the commission's sunset review which removed the requirement that two commissioners be licensed veterinarians. H.B. 1243 requires that at least one member of the commission be a licensed veterinarian. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2.05(a), Texas Racing Act, Article 179e, V.T.C.S., to provide that three, rather than four, members of the Texas Racing Commission (commission) must be representatives of the general public who have general knowledge of business or agribusiness. Adds language providing that one additional appointed member must be a veterinarian. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. Requires the governor to appoint a veterinarian to the commission pursuant to Section 2.05, as amended by this Act, to fill the next vacancy of a position representing the general public which occurs after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.