87R1053 KKR-D     By: Howard H.B. No. 982       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an expedited licensing process for certain advanced   practice registered nurses; authorizing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 301, Occupations Code, is   amended by adding Section 301.262 to read as follows:          Sec. 301.262.  EXPEDITED LICENSING PROCESS FOR OUT-OF-STATE   ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES.  (a) The board by rule shall   create an expedited licensing process for an applicant who holds a   license or other authorization in good standing to practice nursing   as an advanced practice registered nurse issued by another state.          (b)  The board may establish a fee in an amount sufficient to   cover the cost of the expedited licensing process.          (c)  The 180-day deadline and extension provisions under   Section 301.260(c) do not apply to the expedited licensing process   required under this section.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Board of Nursing shall create and   implement the expedited licensing process under Section 301.262,   Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,   2022.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.