| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Negative | Negative | Negative |
Relating to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact; authorizing fees.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 1616, as introduced: a POSITIVE impact of $483,336 through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
HB 1616 would bring Texas into an interstate medical licensure compact. This compact would develop a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards and provides a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states. In order to accomplish this the compact has the ability to determine eligibility, qualifications, and form an interstate commission. This commission is comprised of two voting representatives appointed by each member state who shall serve as commissioners.
Oversight for HB 1616's compact would come from each member state's judicial branch. The compact would be severable and any part considered unenforceable shall be separated from the rest of the compact and the compact shall remain enforceable.
HB 1616 releases the duty of the state to a multi-state compact that will establish streamlined process for license reciprocity and overarching regulations. Under the provisions of this bill, the government effectively abandons its duties and gives the role to a council of unelected people who will control this industry and its standards.
We certainly support interstate reciprocity for licensed professionals, but this should be handled on a state by state basis in a way that leaves Texas and Texans in full control of all aspects of licensure for Texas residents. For these reasons we oppose HB 1616.