Bill: HB 1803, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Positive Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Bill Callegari

Bill Caption

Relating to the renewal of a controlled substance registration by physicians.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1803, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Summary: When physicians have multiple licenses that have different terms of expiration, license renewal can be burdensome and frustrating. HB 1803 seeks to address this problem in several ways. First, HB 1803 would eliminate the requirement for physicians to register for a license at every single one of his or her locations; instead one license would cover multiple office locations. Second, the bill would require the Texas Medical Board to simplify the renewal schedule making a physician's renewal dates the same for all the licenses they are required to hold. Third, the bill would allow the board to charge fees up to $50 for late registration. HB 1803 would also require the Board to notify physicians 60 days prior to the expiration date instead of the 30 day notice required currently. 

Analysis: Physicians are part of a heavily regulated profession. Currently physicians must, among other regulations, hold and renew multiple licenses. These include the license to practice and the license to own, administer, and prescribe controlled substances. Separate licenses are required for separate office locations. Sometimes the renewal date is different for each license, so a physician may have to renew various licenses at different times. This causes confusion that sometimes leads unintentional license expiry. HB 1803 takes a significant step toward making license regulations less burdensome for physicians.

We encourage legislators to support HB 1803.

 


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 08:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb1803?print_view=true