The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (Board) proposes an amendment to §573.64, concerning Continuing Education Requirements.

The Board proposes this amendment to create a new license renewal period based upon a licensee's birth month rather than on a calendar year basis. This amendment specifically changes the requirement for continuing education for licensees from being based upon a calendar year to being based upon the renewal year. Further, in accordance with Senate Bill 1307 (84th Legislature, 2015), the Board proposes this amendment to allow military service members, as defined by Chapter 55, §55.001, of the Texas Occupations Code, to have up to two years to complete the required continuing education requirements for each renewal year.

Nicole Oria, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years that the rule is in effect, there will be no impact on revenue to either state or local government as a result of the proposed rule. Ms. Oria has also determined that there will be no increase or reduction in costs to either state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule as proposed. Ms. Oria has further determined that the amendment to the rule will have no impact on local employment.

Ms. Oria has also determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect, the anticipated public benefit will be to have the renewal period easier for licensees to remember and allow the Board to spread licensing resources out over the entire year rather than during just one period of time in the year and allow military service members additional time to complete continuing education requirements.

Ms. Oria has determined that there will be no economic cost to persons required to comply with the amended rule. There is thus no adverse impact expected for small or micro businesses, and no anticipated difference in cost of compliance between small and large businesses.

The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners invites comments on the proposed amendment to the rule from any member of the public. A written statement should be mailed or delivered to Loris Jones, Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Ste. 3-810, Austin, Texas 78701-3942, by facsimile (FAX) to (512) 305-7574, or by e-mail vet.board@veterinary.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Texas Register. Comments must be received within 30 days after publication of this proposal in order to be considered.

The amendment is proposed under the authority of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, §801.151(a), which states that the Board may adopt rules necessary to administer the chapter.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposal.