HBA-CMT H.B. 99 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 99
By: Maxey
Public Health
2/7/2001



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The United States Congress and state legislatures have enacted safeguards
to protect citizens from harm resulting from the use of unsafe drugs,
counterfeit drugs, and the improper practice of pharmacy.  These
safeguards, however, have not been extended in Texas to protect citizens
from the improper sale of drugs by online practitioners and pharmacies.
House Bill 99 extends these safeguards by requiring the Texas State Board
of Pharmacy to adopt rules regarding the sale and delivery of prescription
drugs by use of electronic media, including the Internet. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy in
SECTION 1 (Sections 554.055, Occupations Code) and SECTION 2 of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 99 amends the Occupations Code to require the Texas State Board
of Pharmacy to adopt rules regarding the sale and delivery of drugs by use
of the electronic media, including the Internet.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.