Master FIR (1988)

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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Russell		DATE TYPED:	03/01/99		HB	628
SHORT TITLE:		Amend Veterinary Practice Act				SB
					ANALYST:		Carrillo

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY99	FY2000	FY99	FY2000	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
	$ 0.0

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine

Office of the Attorney General

New Mexico Livestock Board

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 628 proposes to amend sections to the Veterinary Practice Act to allow for increased penalties and stronger enforcement of the inspection of veterinary facilities. The proposed legislation strengthens the language dealing with individuals practicing veterinary medicine without a license. The bill also defines the types of facilities that should obtain permits.

The bill includes provisions that will allow for the disclosure of information upon the conclusion of a disciplinary action.

Significant Issues

Staff from the Attorney General's Office provided the following comments:

If HB628 reduces the amount of information the Board of Veterinary Medicine discloses concerning complaints filed with the Board and disciplinary actions taken by the Board against licensees, this raises an important public policy issue. The public has a right to know information about licensed veterinarians that have had complaints filed and disciplinary action taken against their licence. Under the statutory language of the Inspection of Public Records Act a person has the ability to request information concerning complaints and disciplinary action against licensees and this information is made available. Under HB 628, information made available to the public would be reduced.

WJC/njw