1 HJR272
2 214104-2
3 By Representative Wadsworth
4 RFD:
5 First Read: 06-MAY-21
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 HJR272
1
2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 CREATING THE JOINT INTERIM COMMISSION TO STUDY THE
4 FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A SECOND SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
5 AND/OR INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF DENTAL SERVICES IN THE
6 RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE.
7
8 WHEREAS, the only school of dentistry in the state
9 is located in Birmingham, under the management and control of
10 the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System; and
11 WHEREAS, Alabama is currently ranked 51st of all
12 states and the District of Columbia in the availability of
13 dental services; and
14 WHEREAS, although there were 2,240 dentists
15 practicing in the state as of January 2020, many of those
16 dentists have chosen to live and practice in major population
17 centers, leaving much of rural Alabama underserved; and
18 WHEREAS, 25 percent of the dentists currently
19 practicing in the state are over the age of 60; now therefore,
20 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
21 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That there is created a joint
22 interim commission to study the feasibility of establishing a
23 second school of dentistry and/or increasing the availability
24 of dental services in rural areas of the state.
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 HJR272
1 (a) The study commission shall be comprised of the
2 following members:
3 (1) The Chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation
4 Education Committee.
5 (2) The Chair of the House Ways and Means Education
6 Committee.
7 (3) Up to three members of the Senate, appointed by
8 the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
9 (4) Up to three members of the House of
10 Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
11 Representatives.
12 (5) Up to three members appointed by the Governor.
13 (6) One member appointed by the Board of Dental
14 Examiners of Alabama.
15 (7) One member appointed by the Executive Committee
16 of the Alabama Dental Association.
17 (8) One member appointed by the State Board of
18 Health.
19 (9) One member appointed by the Board of Trustees of
20 The University of Alabama System.
21 (10) One member appointed by the Board of Directors
22 of the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
23 (11) One member appointed by the Board of Trustees
24 of the University of South Alabama.
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 HJR272
1 (b) The appointing authorities shall coordinate
2 their appointments so that diversity of gender, race, and
3 geographical areas is reflective of the makeup of this state.
4 (c) The Speaker of the House of Representatives and
5 the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, from the membership
6 of the commission, shall each appoint a cochair. The initial
7 meeting of the commission shall be held as soon as practical
8 at a time and place set by the cochairs. Notice of the
9 meetings of the commission shall be provided in a manner
10 consistent with the rules of the Legislature pertaining to
11 interim committees.
12 (d) To determine the feasibility of establishing a
13 second school of dentistry in the state and/or increasing the
14 availability of dental services in rural areas of the state,
15 the commission shall analyze all of the following:
16 (1) The number and location of dentists currently
17 practicing in the state and the dentist shortage index
18 calculated pursuant to Section 16-47-81, Code of Alabama 1975,
19 to determine which, if any, areas of the state are underserved
20 in dental health care.
21 (2) Whether establishing an additional school of
22 dentistry would benefit the rural areas of Alabama.
23 (3) An analysis of all alternatives available for
24 providing more dentists and dental services to better serve
25 the rural areas of the State of Alabama.
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1 (e) The Senate, House of Representatives, and
2 Legislative Services Agency shall provide the necessary staff
3 and support to the commission to perform its duties.
4 (f)(1) The legislative members of the commission
5 shall be entitled to their legislative compensation, per diem,
6 and travel expenses for each day they attend a meeting of the
7 commission in accordance with Amendment 871 of the
8 Constitution of Alabama of 1901.
9 (2) Other members of the commission may be
10 reimbursed for necessary expenses in attending meetings of the
11 commission according to policies and procedures of their
12 respective appointing authorities.
13 (g) The commission shall report its findings to the
14 Legislature, along with proposed legislation, not later than
15 January 1, 2022, at which time the commission shall stand
16 dissolved.
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1
2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was adopted by the House 06-MAY-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15 Senate 17-MAY-21 Amended and Passed
Concurred in Sen-
16 House 17-MAY-21
ate Amendment
17
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-47-81
Enrolled: 16-47-81