73R10968 DLF-F
By Swinford H.B. No. 2500
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2500:
By Gutierrez C.S.H.B. No. 2500
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the powers, duties, and expansion of the City of
1-3 Amarillo Hospital District; authorizing the creation of public
1-4 debt.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Section 1, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
1-7 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 1. The City of Amarillo, Texas, may be constituted a
1-9 Hospital District, which district shall, unless expanded under
1-10 Section 19 of this Act or other applicable law, always be
1-11 coextensive <co-extensive> with the incorporated limits of the City
1-12 of Amarillo, Texas, for the purpose of owning and operating a
1-13 hospital or hospital system and providing medical and health care
1-14 services for the residents of the district, including indigent and
1-15 needy persons, as hereinafter set out, and may take over the
1-16 hospital or hospital system, either owned separately by Potter
1-17 County or jointly with the City of Amarillo, or may provide for the
1-18 establishment of a hospital or hospital system to furnish medical
1-19 aid, <and> hospital care, and health care services to the indigent,
1-20 <and> needy, and other persons residing in said Hospital District.
1-21 The name of the district shall be specified by the governing body
1-22 of the City. Said district shall constitute a body politic and
1-23 corporate, and its functions are declared to be governmental and
1-24 public.
2-1 SECTION 2. Subsection a, Section 2, Chapter 136, Acts of the
2-2 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as
2-3 follows:
2-4 a. The governing body of the City of Amarillo shall have the
2-5 power and the authority, and it shall be its duty, to levy on all
2-6 property subject to hospital district taxation for the benefit of
2-7 the district at the same time taxes are levied for city purposes,
2-8 using the city values and the city tax roll, a tax of not to exceed
2-9 Seventy-five Cents (75›) on the One Hundred Dollars ($100)
2-10 valuation of all taxable property within the Hospital District, for
2-11 the purpose of (1) paying the interest on and creating a sinking
2-12 fund for bonds which may have been assumed or which may be issued
2-13 by the Hospital District for hospital, medical, or health care
2-14 purposes, as herein provided; (2) providing for the operation and
2-15 maintenance of the hospital or hospital system; and (3) when
2-16 requested by the Board of Hospital Managers and approved by the
2-17 governing body of the city, for the purpose of making further
2-18 improvements and additions to the hospital system, and for the
2-19 acquisition of necessary sites therefor, by purchase, lease, or
2-20 condemnation.
2-21 SECTION 3. Subsections a, b, c, and d, Section 3, Chapter
2-22 136, Acts of the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, are
2-23 amended to read as follows:
2-24 a. The city governing body shall have the power and
2-25 authority to issue and sell as the obligations of such Hospital
2-26 District, and in the name and upon the faith and credit of such
2-27 Hospital District, bonds for the acquisition, purchase,
3-1 construction, equipment and enlargement of the hospital or hospital
3-2 system, and for any or all of such purposes; provided, that a
3-3 sufficient tax shall be levied to create an interest and sinking
3-4 fund to pay the interest and principal as same matures provided
3-5 said tax together with any other taxes levied for said district
3-6 shall not exceed Seventy-five Cents (75›) in any one year. Such
3-7 bonds shall be executed in the name of the Hospital District and on
3-8 its behalf by the Mayor of the City of Amarillo, and countersigned
3-9 by the City Secretary, or, in lieu of such manual signatures,
3-10 facsimile signatures of the Mayor or City Secretary, or both may be
3-11 printed on the bonds as provided by the Texas Uniform Facsimile
3-12 Signature of Public Officials Act (Article 717j-1, Vernon's Texas
3-13 Civil Statutes), and its subsequent amendments <Chapter 293, Acts
3-14 of the Fifty-fourth Legislature>, and shall be subject to the same
3-15 requirements in the matter of approval thereof by the Attorney
3-16 General of the State of Texas and the registration thereof by the
3-17 Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas as are by law
3-18 provided for such approval and registration of bonds of such city;
3-19 and the approval of such bonds by the Attorney General shall have
3-20 the same force and effect as is by law given to his approval of
3-21 bonds of such city. No such bonds shall be issued by such Hospital
3-22 District (except refunding bonds) until authorized by a majority
3-23 vote of the legally qualified property taxpaying voters residing in
3-24 such Hospital District, voting at an election called and held in
3-25 accordance with the provisions of law relating to city bonds. Such
3-26 election may be called by the governing body of the city of its own
3-27 motion, or shall be called by it after request therefor by the
4-1 Board of Hospital Managers; and the same persons shall be
4-2 responsible for the conduct of such election and the arrangements
4-3 of all details thereof as the persons charged therewith in
4-4 connection with other city-wide elections. The cost of any such
4-5 election shall be a charge upon the Hospital District and its
4-6 funds; and the Hospital District shall make provision for the
4-7 payment thereof before the governing body of the city shall be
4-8 required to order such an election.
4-9 b. In the manner hereinabove provided, the bonds of such
4-10 Hospital District may, without the necessity of any election
4-11 therefor, be issued for the purpose of refunding and paying off any
4-12 bonded indebtedness theretofore assumed by such Hospital District
4-13 and any bonds theretofore issued by such Hospital District; such
4-14 refunding bonds may be sold and the proceeds thereof applied to the
4-15 payment of any such outstanding bonds or may be exchanged in whole
4-16 or in part for not less than a like amount of said outstanding
4-17 bonds and interest matured thereon, but unpaid. The refunding
4-18 bonds shall mature serially or otherwise in not to exceed forty
4-19 (40) years <and bear interest at a rate not to exceed six per cent
4-20 (6%)>.
4-21 <c. If the city has voted bonds to provide hospital
4-22 facilities, but such bonds have not been sold at the date of the
4-23 creation of the Hospital District, the authority for such bonds
4-24 shall be canceled, and they shall not be sold.>
4-25 d. All bonds of the district shall be and are hereby
4-26 declared to be legal and authorized investments for banks, savings
4-27 banks, trust companies, savings <building> and loan associations,
5-1 insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, guardians, and the
5-2 sinking funds of cities, towns, villages, counties, school
5-3 districts, or other political subdivisions of the State of Texas.
5-4 Such bonds shall be eligible to secure the deposit of any and all
5-5 public funds of the State of Texas, and any and all public funds of
5-6 cities, towns, villages, counties, school districts, or other
5-7 political corporations or subdivisions of the State of Texas; and
5-8 such bonds shall be lawful and sufficient security for said
5-9 deposits to the extent of their value, when accompanied by all
5-10 unmatured coupons appurtenant thereto.
5-11 SECTION 4. Subsections (a) and (d), Section 3A, Chapter 136,
5-12 Acts of the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, are amended to
5-13 read as follows:
5-14 (a) The city governing body, for and on behalf of the
5-15 Hospital District, may issue and sell revenue bonds as special
5-16 obligations of the Hospital District, in the name of the <Amarillo>
5-17 Hospital District, for the purpose of providing funds to finance,
5-18 refinance, acquire, purchase, construct, repair, renovate, improve,
5-19 enlarge, or equip hospital facilities, and to acquire any real or
5-20 personal property in connection therewith.
5-21 (d) The bonds may be issued to mature serially or otherwise
5-22 not to exceed forty (40) years from their date. The total
5-23 principal of revenue bonds issued and outstanding <and unpaid> may
5-24 not exceed, $30 million <$7,500,000>.
5-25 SECTION 5. Section 3B, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
5-26 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended by adding Subsection
5-27 g to read as follows:
6-1 g. This section is cumulative of any other law establishing
6-2 the manner in which Randall County, or any portion of Randall
6-3 County, may participate in, be annexed to, or otherwise served by
6-4 the Amarillo Hospital District.
6-5 SECTION 6. Section 5, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
6-6 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as follows:
6-7 Sec. 5. a. The governing body of the City of Amarillo shall
6-8 appoint a Board of Hospital Managers, consisting of not less than
6-9 five (5) nor more than seven (7) members, who shall serve for a
6-10 term of two (2) years, with overlapping terms if desired, and with
6-11 initial appointments to terms of office arranged accordingly,
6-12 without pay, and whose duties shall be to manage, control and
6-13 administer the hospital or hospital system of the Hospital
6-14 District. The governing body of the City of Amarillo may, by
6-15 majority vote, remove any member of the Board of Hospital Managers
6-16 with or without cause. The district, through its Board of
6-17 Managers, shall have the power and authority to sue and be sued in
6-18 its name. The Board is authorized to promulgate rules and
6-19 regulations for the operation of the hospital or hospital system.
6-20 b. The Board shall appoint a general manager, to be known as
6-21 the Administrator of the Hospital District. The Administrator
6-22 <shall hold office for a term not exceeding two (2) years, and>
6-23 shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the Board. The
6-24 Administrator shall be subject to removal at any time by the Board.
6-25 The Administrator shall, before entering into the discharge of his
6-26 duties, execute a bond payable to the District, in the amount of
6-27 not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), conditioned that he
7-1 shall well and faithfully perform the duties required of him, and
7-2 containing such other conditions as the Board may require. The
7-3 Administrator shall perform all duties which may be required of him
7-4 by the Board, and shall supervise all of the work and activities of
7-5 the district, and have general direction of the affairs of the
7-6 district, within such limitations as may be prescribed by the
7-7 Board. He shall be a person qualified by training and experience
7-8 for the position of Administrator.
7-9 c. The Board of Managers shall have the authority to employ
7-10 such doctors, technicians, nurses and other employees of every kind
7-11 and character as may be deemed advisable for the efficient
7-12 operation of the hospital or hospital system<; provided that no
7-13 contract or term of employment shall exceed the period of two (2)
7-14 years>. The Board of Managers may delegate to the Administrator
7-15 the authority to employ persons for the Hospital District.
7-16 d. The Board of Managers, <with the approval of the
7-17 governing body of the City of Amarillo,> shall be authorized to
7-18 contract with any political subdivision of the State <county or
7-19 other incorporated municipality> for care and treatment of the
7-20 political subdivision's <such county's or city's> sick, diseased
7-21 and injured persons, and with the State and agencies of the State,
7-22 any political subdivision of the State, or the Federal Government
7-23 for the care of and treatment of such persons for whom the State
7-24 and such agencies of the State, any political subdivision of the
7-25 State, or the Federal Government are responsible. The Board of
7-26 Managers may contract to provide to another political subdivision
7-27 or governmental agency investigatory, administrative, managerial,
8-1 or other services relating to the hospital, medical, health care,
8-2 or welfare needs of the inhabitants of the Hospital District.
8-3 Further, <under the same conditions,> the Board of Managers may
8-4 <enter into such contracts with the State and Federal Government as
8-5 may be necessary to> establish or continue a retirement program for
8-6 the benefit of its employees and may contract with the State or
8-7 Federal Government for that purpose.
8-8 e. A majority of the Board of Hospital Managers shall
8-9 constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. From
8-10 among its members the Board shall choose a Chairman, who shall
8-11 preside; or in his absence a Chairman pro tem shall preside; and
8-12 the Administrator or any member of the Board may be appointed
8-13 secretary. The Board shall require the secretary to keep suitable
8-14 records of all proceedings of each meeting of the Board. Such
8-15 record shall be read and signed after each meeting by the Chairman
8-16 or the member presiding, and attested by the secretary. The Board
8-17 may <shall> have a seal, on which shall be engraved the name of the
8-18 Hospital District; and any <said> seal shall be kept by the
8-19 secretary and may be used in authentication of <all> acts of the
8-20 Board.
8-21 f. The Board of Managers may appoint to the staff doctors
8-22 and other medical personnel the Board of Managers considers
8-23 necessary for the efficient operation of the Hospital District,
8-24 make temporary appointments as it considers necessary, and remove
8-25 from the medical staff any doctor or other medical personnel.
8-26 g. The Board of Managers may contract with any entity,
8-27 public or private, to obtain or to supply facilities and services
9-1 necessary for the efficient operation of the Hospital District.
9-2 h. The Board of Managers may enter into operating or
9-3 management contracts relating to hospital facilities and services
9-4 on behalf of the Hospital District.
9-5 i. The Board of Managers may purchase insurance to protect
9-6 the members of the Board from any liability that arises from
9-7 serving on the Board.
9-8 j. The Board of Managers shall determine the eligibility
9-9 standards for Hospital District assistance and the consideration to
9-10 be received for its services, products, and the use of its
9-11 facilities and may use the pricing methods it considers advisable,
9-12 including discount and per diem pricing.
9-13 k. The Board of Managers may use Hospital District funds,
9-14 enter into agreements, and take other necessary action to recruit
9-15 or otherwise obtain physicians and other personnel for the Hospital
9-16 District's medical staff or for employment with the Hospital
9-17 District, including:
9-18 (1) advertising and marketing;
9-19 (2) paying recruitment expenses;
9-20 (3) paying travel and relocation expenses;
9-21 (4) providing guarantees, subsidies, loans, and
9-22 scholarships;
9-23 (5) sharing personnel; and
9-24 (6) authorizing a physician to use space in Hospital
9-25 District facilities or providing a rent subsidy to a physician.
9-26 l. The Board of Managers may use Hospital District funds,
9-27 enter into agreements, and take other necessary action to conduct,
10-1 participate in, or assist health care education programs for the
10-2 public and for current or potential medical staff members or
10-3 employees.
10-4 m. The Board of Managers may market or advertise to promote
10-5 Hospital District services, the orderly operation of the Hospital
10-6 District, and the delivery of medical and health care in the
10-7 Hospital District.
10-8 n. The Board of Managers may use Hospital District funds to
10-9 ensure the qualification and continued qualification of physicians
10-10 and other personnel.
10-11 SECTION 7. Sections 5a and 6, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
10-12 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, are amended to read as follows:
10-13 Sec. 5a. The Board of Managers<, with the approval of the
10-14 governing body of the City of Amarillo,> is authorized to contract
10-15 with West Texas State University or another educational institution
10-16 for the coordination of educational <the B.S. degree and diploma>
10-17 programs in recognized health care professions, including pharmacy,
10-18 nursing, and allied health professions, to be conducted by each and
10-19 for cooperative funding of the expense of an instructional program
10-20 in those programs <nursing>. The Hospital District may provide
10-21 services, funds, or equipment and may make its facilities available
10-22 to West Texas State University or other educational institutions
10-23 for clinical instruction, research, or programs that grant degrees.
10-24 Sec. 6. The governing body of the City of Amarillo shall
10-25 have the power to prescribe the method and manner of making
10-26 purchases and expenditures by and for such Hospital District
10-27 without, in its discretion, restriction of any notice and bidding
11-1 requirements, and including participation in public or private
11-2 group purchasing plans, and also shall be authorized to prescribe
11-3 all accounting and control procedures, or may delegate any or all
11-4 such powers to the Board of Managers of such district by the
11-5 adoption of an appropriate resolution or order to that effect. The
11-6 Hospital District shall pay all salaries and expenses necessarily
11-7 incurred by the city or any of its officers and agents in
11-8 performing any duties which may be prescribed or required under
11-9 this Section. It shall be the duty of any officer, employee or
11-10 agent of such city to perform and carry out any function or service
11-11 prescribed by the governing body of the city hereunder.
11-12 SECTION 8. Section 9, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
11-13 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended by amending
11-14 Subsection b and adding Subsections c and d to read as follows:
11-15 b. The Hospital District shall have the power to take by
11-16 purchase or lease lands or any other real or personal property
11-17 within or without the district as may be required for its purpose;
11-18 and it may sell or lease any lands or other property owned by it at
11-19 public or private sale; provided, however, that, except with
11-20 respect to leases of less than an entire building for a period of
11-21 less than 10 years, no real estate may be sold or leased until
11-22 after there has been a determination by the governing body of the
11-23 City of Amarillo that either the real estate is <the lands are> no
11-24 longer required for the purposes of the district or that the
11-25 grantee or lessee will use the real estate <property> for hospital,
11-26 medical, or health care purposes or purposes incidental and
11-27 necessary to hospital, medical, or health care purposes.
12-1 c. The Board of Managers may pledge any property,
12-2 facilities, or equipment purchased, leased, constructed or
12-3 otherwise acquired by the Hospital District as security for the
12-4 payment of the purchase or construction price.
12-5 d. Subject to Subsection b of this section, the Board of
12-6 Managers, on behalf of the Hospital District, may sell, lease, or
12-7 otherwise dispose of the property or equipment of the Hospital
12-8 District. Property or equipment sold under this subsection may be
12-9 sold by public or private sale. Subject to Subsection b of this
12-10 section, the Board may dispose of property or equipment under the
12-11 terms and conditions, and for the consideration, that the Board
12-12 considers to be in the best interests of the District.
12-13 SECTION 9. Sections 10 and 12, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
12-14 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, are amended to read as follows:
12-15 Sec. 10. The <Within thirty (30) days after the appointment
12-16 of the Board of Hospital Managers of any district created under
12-17 this Act, the said> Board of Managers shall select one or more
12-18 depositories <a depository> for such district in the manner
12-19 provided by law for the selection of county depositories; and such
12-20 depository or depositories shall be the depository or depositories
12-21 of such district <for a period of two (2) years thereafter, or>
12-22 until one or more successors are <its successor is> selected and
12-23 qualified. <In the alternative, the Board may elect to use the
12-24 depository theretofore selected by the county.>
12-25 Sec. 12. The Board of Hospital Managers may be represented
12-26 in all legal matters by the attorneys charged with representing the
12-27 City of Amarillo in civil matters, and in such event the District
13-1 shall contribute sufficient funds to the general fund of the City
13-2 of Amarillo for the account of the budget of such attorneys to pay
13-3 all additional salaries and expenses incurred by such attorneys in
13-4 performing the duties required of them by the district; provided,
13-5 however, that the Board may in its discretion employ legal counsel
13-6 of its own selection if it deems the action advisable.
13-7 SECTION 10. Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th Legislature,
13-8 Regular Session, 1957, is amended by adding Section 13A to read as
13-9 follows:
13-10 Sec. 13A. Not later than the first day of each fiscal year,
13-11 the Board of Managers shall adopt requirements to be used by the
13-12 Hospital District in determining if a person is eligible for
13-13 hospital, medical, or health care assistance from the District.
13-14 The Board shall adopt an application procedure that specifies the
13-15 documentation required in support of the application for
13-16 assistance.
13-17 SECTION 11. Subsection a, Section 14, Chapter 136, Acts of
13-18 the 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as
13-19 follows:
13-20 a. Whenever a patient has been admitted to the facilities of
13-21 the Hospital District from Potter County or the Hospital District,
13-22 the Administrator shall cause inquiry to be made as to his
13-23 circumstances, and of the relatives of such patient legally liable
13-24 for his support. If it is determined <he finds> that such patient
13-25 or said relatives are liable to pay for his care and treatment in
13-26 whole or in part, an order shall be made directing such patient, or
13-27 said relatives, to pay <to> the <treasurer of the> Hospital
14-1 District for the support of such patient a specified sum <per week,
14-2 in proportion to their financial ability, but such sum shall not
14-3 exceed the actual per capita cost of maintenance>. The
14-4 Administrator shall have power and authority to collect such sum
14-5 from the estate of the patient, or his relatives legally liable for
14-6 his support, in the manner provided by law for the collection of
14-7 expenses of the last illness of a deceased person. <If the
14-8 Administrator finds that such patient or said relatives are not
14-9 able to pay, either in whole or in part, for his care and treatment
14-10 in such hospital, the same shall become a charge upon the Hospital
14-11 District. Should there be a dispute as to the ability to pay, or
14-12 doubt in the mind of the Administrator, the County Judge of Potter
14-13 County shall hear and determine same, after calling witnesses, and
14-14 shall make such order as may be proper, from which appeal shall lie
14-15 to the district court by either party to the dispute.>
14-16 SECTION 12. Section 15, Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th
14-17 Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as follows:
14-18 Sec. 15. Said Board of Managers of the Hospital District is
14-19 authorized on behalf of said Hospital District to accept donations,
14-20 gifts, and endowments for the Hospital District, to be held in
14-21 trust or otherwise and administered by the Board of Managers for
14-22 such purposes and under such directions, limitations, and
14-23 provisions as may be prescribed in writing by donor, not
14-24 inconsistent with proper management and the objectives <objects> of
14-25 the Hospital District, and may establish foundations or nonprofit
14-26 corporations for these purposes.
14-27 SECTION 13. Section C, Section 16, Chapter 136, Acts of the
15-1 55th Legislature, Regular Session, 1957, is amended to read as
15-2 follows:
15-3 Sec. C. The creation of said District by the City Commission
15-4 of the City of Amarillo and the appointment of the Board of
15-5 Hospital Managers by said Commission are hereby validated<,
15-6 provided, however, that this validation provision shall not be
15-7 applicable if litigation attacking the validity of the District is
15-8 pending at the time this Act becomes effective>.
15-9 SECTION 14. Chapter 136, Acts of the 55th Legislature,
15-10 Regular Session, 1957, is amended by adding Sections 17-21 to read
15-11 as follows:
15-12 Sec. 17. a. The Board of Managers shall require
15-13 reimbursement from a county, municipality, or public hospital
15-14 located outside the boundaries of the district for the district's
15-15 care and treatment of a sick, diseased, or injured person of that
15-16 county, municipality, or public hospital, as provided by Chapter
15-17 61, Health and Safety Code.
15-18 b. The Board of Managers shall require reimbursement from
15-19 the sheriff or police chief of a county or municipality for the
15-20 district's care and treatment of a person confined in a jail
15-21 facility of the county or municipality who is not a resident of the
15-22 district.
15-23 Sec. 18. The Hospital District may contract with, affiliate
15-24 with, or enter into other arrangements with managed care systems,
15-25 preferred provider organizations, health maintenance organizations,
15-26 other providers of alternative health care or delivery systems, or
15-27 private hospitals to provide joint administration or delivery of
16-1 health care services.
16-2 Sec. 19. a. Registered voters of a defined territory that
16-3 is not included in the Hospital District may file a petition with
16-4 the Board of Managers requesting the inclusion of the territory in
16-5 the district. The petition must be signed by at least 50
16-6 registered voters of the territory, or a majority of those voters,
16-7 whichever is less.
16-8 b. The Board of Managers by order shall set a time and place
16-9 to hold a hearing on the petition to include the territory in the
16-10 Hospital District. The Board shall set a date for the hearing that
16-11 is at least 30 days after the date on which the Board issues the
16-12 order. The Board of Managers shall notify the governing body of
16-13 the City of Amarillo of the hearing.
16-14 c. If, after the hearing, the Board of Managers and the
16-15 governing body of the City of Amarillo find that annexation of the
16-16 territory to the Hospital District would benefit the District, the
16-17 Board of Managers and the governing body of the City of Amarillo
16-18 may approve the annexation by a resolution entered in their
16-19 minutes. The Board of Managers and the governing body of the City
16-20 of Amarillo are not required to include all of the territory
16-21 described in the petition if the Board of Managers and the
16-22 governing body of the City of Amarillo find that including only a
16-23 portion of the territory is necessary or desirable.
16-24 d. Annexation of territory is final when approved by a
16-25 majority of voters at an election held in the Hospital District and
16-26 by a majority of the voters at a separate election held in the
16-27 territory to be annexed. If the district has outstanding debts or
17-1 taxes, the voters in the election to approve the annexation must
17-2 also determine if the annexed territory will assume its proportion
17-3 of the debts or taxes if added to the district.
17-4 e. The election ballots shall be printed to provide for
17-5 voting for or against the following, as applicable:
17-6 (1) "Adding (description of territory to be annexed)
17-7 to the Amarillo Hospital District and authorizing the levy by the
17-8 governing body of the City of Amarillo of annual taxes to support
17-9 the Amarillo Hospital District at a rate of not more than $.75 on
17-10 each $100 valuation of taxable property in the proposed territory
17-11 to be annexed."
17-12 (2) "(Description of territory to be annexed) assuming
17-13 its proportionate share of the outstanding debts and taxes of the
17-14 City of Amarillo Hospital District, if it is added to the
17-15 district."
17-16 f. The election shall be held not less than 45 days nor more
17-17 than 60 days after the date on which the election is ordered.
17-18 g. The election order must state:
17-19 (1) the nature of the election, including the
17-20 proposition that is to appear on the ballot;
17-21 (2) the date of the election;
17-22 (3) the hours during which the polls will be open; and
17-23 (4) the location of the polling places.
17-24 h. The governing body of the City of Amarillo shall give
17-25 notice of the election by publishing once a week for two
17-26 consecutive weeks a substantial copy of the election order in a
17-27 newspaper with general circulation in the Hospital District and in
18-1 the territory proposed to be added to the District. The first
18-2 publication must appear at least 35 days before the date of the
18-3 election.
18-4 i. The election may be called by the governing body of the
18-5 City of Amarillo on its own motion.
18-6 j. The election shall be conducted by the persons
18-7 responsible for conducting citywide elections in Amarillo. The
18-8 Hospital District shall pay the City of Amarillo for the cost of an
18-9 election held under this section and shall make provision for the
18-10 payment before the governing body of the City of Amarillo orders
18-11 the election.
18-12 k. The Election Code governs an election held under this
18-13 section, except that Section 41.001(a), Election Code, does not
18-14 apply.
18-15 Sec. 20. Since the Hospital District is a public entity
18-16 performing an essential public function, bonds issued by the
18-17 district, any transaction relating to the bonds, and profits made
18-18 in the sale of the bonds are free from taxation by the state or by
18-19 any city, county, special district, or other political subdivision
18-20 of the state.
18-21 Sec. 21. The Board of Managers may, on behalf of the
18-22 Hospital District, borrow money from a federally insured lending
18-23 institution and make other financial arrangements to pay the
18-24 operating expenses and to meet the other lawfully authorized
18-25 obligations of the District. The Board of Managers may borrow
18-26 money in the amount it considers advisable subject to a rate of
18-27 interest and other terms and conditions it considers advisable. To
19-1 secure a loan, the Board may pledge revenues of the District or
19-2 property acquired with the borrowed money that are not pledged to
19-3 pay a bonded indebtedness of the District. If revenues of the
19-4 District are pledged to pay the loan, the loan shall mature not
19-5 later than the fifth anniversary after the date on which the loan
19-6 is made.
19-7 SECTION 15. The importance of this legislation and the
19-8 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
19-9 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
19-10 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
19-11 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
19-12 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
19-13 passage, and it is so enacted.