BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4954

By: Slawson

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Hood County Commissioners Court has requested the ability to oversee emergency services districts located wholly in the county in the same manner that is currently granted to El Paso County. H.B. 4954 seeks to extend the applicability of provisions relating to such oversight to also apply to Hood County in order to allow the county certain ability to approve a district budget and establish policies and procedures with which a district board must comply regarding, among other things, the purchase of property, equipment, goods, and services and the provision of services through a volunteer fire department or emergency service provider.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 4954 amends the Health and Safety Code to extend the applicability of provisions relating to county commissioners court oversight of an emergency services district with an appointed board of emergency services commissioners that is located wholly in a county that borders the United Mexican States and has a population of more than 800,000 to also apply to a district with an appointed board that is located wholly in a county that contains a reservoir operated by a river authority and has a population of at least 60,000 and not more than 65,000.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.