The Texas Medical Board has a long history in Texas dating back to 1837
By State Rep. Todd Hunter
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas In order to identify and eliminate government waste duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies the Texas Legislature established
the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (Commission) in 1977. The Commission is a legislative body made up of six Texas Senate members and six Texas House of Representative members.
The Commission is tasked with reviewing the policies and programs of more than 150 state agencies. And
the Sunset Review Process is designed to review each of these agencies every 12 years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each session when the Texas Legislature convenes.
In reviewing the various agencies the Commission examines the continual need for the agency. A review is made of duplication of policies or programs with other agencies.
The review also looks at new and innovative ways to improve each agencys operations and activities.
During the sunset review process the Commission holds public hearings and allows the public to provide their thoughts ideas and general perception of the agencys need. After each agency is reviewed the Commission then recommends actions to the full Texas Legislature.
In the coming weeks Id like to highlight a few of the agencies currently undergoing Sunset Review.
One of the agencies currently in the sunset review process is
the Texas Medical Board (TMB). The TMB is the state agency charged with keeping Texas patients safe through the licensure and regulation of Texas physicians.
The TMB staff also serves as staff for:
The TMB has a long history in the state of Texas dating back to 1837 when the Medical Practice Act was written by Dr. Anson Jones one of the few formally trained physicians in Texas at that time. The Congress of the Republic of Texas then created the Board of Medical Censors for the purposes of administering examinations and granting medical licenses.
The Board was discontinued by legislative act in 1848 but another regulatory law for physicians was enacted in 1873. The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners was formed in 1907. It consisted of 11 physician members who were appointed biennially by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
In 1931 the legislature increased the number to 12 physicians appointed for six year terms. Sunset legislation passed in 1981 provided that nine physician members be doctors of medicine three be doctors of osteopathy and that three public members be added.
In 1993 three additional public members were added bringing the total to 18. In 2003 an additional public member was added bringing the board to its current total of 19 members.
The 79th Legislature changed the name to Texas Medical Board effective September 1 2005.
If you would like to learn more about the TMB you can
visit their website here.
Over the coming weeks
Ill contune to outline and present to you other state agencies undergoing the sunset review process. If you would like to learn more on your own about
the Sunset Advisory Commission or other agencies undergoing the sunset review process you can go to
www.sunset.texas.gov.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned please dont hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services.
As always my offices are available at any time to assist with questions concerns or comments
at 512-463-0672 or 361-949-4603.
Texas State Representative Todd Hunter represents Texas House District 32 covering Aransas Calhoun Nueces (Part) and San Patricio Counties. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov
