By:  Maxey                                            H.J.R. No. 80
       73R4988 CBH-F
                                  A JOINT RESOLUTION
    1-1  proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the creation of a
    1-2  health services and financing district composed of the city of
    1-3  Austin and Travis County.
    1-4        BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Article III of the Texas Constitution is amended
    1-6  by adding Section 48-g to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 48-g.  (a)  The legislature may by special or general
    1-8  law provide for the creation, establishment, maintenance,
    1-9  operation, and dissolution of a health services and financing
   1-10  district composed of the city of Austin and Travis County.
   1-11        (b)  The legislature shall provide that the district provide
   1-12  medical and hospital care for its eligible indigent residents;
   1-13  provided that the legislature may not limit or reduce in any manner
   1-14  the duty or requirement of a nongovernmental entity in the district
   1-15  to provide medical and hospital care.  The legislature may not
   1-16  require a city, county, or other political subdivision in the
   1-17  district to provide medical or hospital care to an eligible
   1-18  district resident.
   1-19        (c)  The legislature may authorize the district to issue
   1-20  bonds and assume indebtedness, levy a sales and use tax, and levy
   1-21  an ad valorem tax at a rate not to exceed 75 cents on the $100
   1-22  valuation of all taxable property in the district to meet the
   1-23  requirements of the district's indebtedness and its maintenance and
   1-24  operating expenses.
    2-1        (d)  The district may not be created or taxes authorized
    2-2  unless the district and the taxes are approved by a majority of the
    2-3  qualified voters of the proposed district voting at an election
    2-4  called and held for that purpose.
    2-5        (e)  The district may own facilities and may, but is not
    2-6  required to,   furnish any health care or health care related goods
    2-7  or services, including mental health, mental retardation, or public
    2-8  health services, directly or indirectly to any individual,
    2-9  association, corporation, or other entity.  For the public purpose
   2-10  of providing health care and health care related goods or services
   2-11  to the public, the legislature may, notwithstanding any other
   2-12  provision of this constitution:
   2-13              (1)  authorize the district to participate in or
   2-14  operate any health care related programs or projects;
   2-15              (2)  authorize the district to make or accept loans and
   2-16  grants of public or private funds or property, including any
   2-17  related debts or obligations; and
   2-18              (3)  authorize cities, counties and other political
   2-19  subdivisions, units of government, or local governmental entities
   2-20  in the district to transfer funds or property and related debts or
   2-21  obligations to the district.
   2-22        SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
   2-23  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1993.
   2-24  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
   2-25  the proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
   2-26  creation of a health services and financing district composed of
   2-27  the city of Austin and Travis County."