BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1526
88R11947 MPF-D	By: Blanco
	Local Government
	4/25/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Big Bend region of Texas, comprised of Brewster, Presidio, and Jeff Davis Counties, encompasses a geographic area of over 12,000 square miles. The low population density, great geographic distances, and relative isolation from major population centers make providing emergency medical services an expensive and challenging endeavor. Currently, six emergency medical services (EMS) provide life-saving services for the county residents and visitors in the region. An effort to regionalize emergency medical services is underway to scale and consolidate EMS operations to provide a higher quality and more efficient service. Big Bend Regional Hospital District (BBRHD) is a bi-county (Brewster and Presidio Counties) entity focused on regional health issues and is poised to assist in the EMS regionalization effort. However, BBRHD's enabling legislation does not allow BBRHD to provide EMS.

S.B. 1526 authorizes BBRHD to operate EMS services within BBRHD's boundaries.  

As proposed, S.B. 1526 amends current law relating to the provision of mobile emergency medical services by the Big Bend Regional Hospital District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1007, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Section 1007.1055, as follows:

Sec. 1007.1055. MOBILE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. Authorizes the Big Bend Regional Hospital District (district) to provide mobile emergency medical services within the district's boundaries.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023. �