BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2022
                                         By: Berlanga (Zaffirini)
                                                          Finance
                                                          5-18-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The Texas Department of Health (department) operates the largest
public health laboratory in the country.  Services provided include
screening tests for specific diseases in newborn infants,
tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, rabies, childhood
blood lead poisoning, as well as microbiology services and various
environmental health testing services.  The laboratory plays a key
role in testing public drinking water supplies, as mandated by the
federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The department's current space is not sufficient to meet its
staffing and technological needs.  The physical structure no longer
has adequate air flow capacity for additional air management
systems.  This causes a serious problem in that the air handling
system for the tuberculosis isolation laboratory is shared with the
rest of the main laboratory.  These issues related to space,
engineering, and safety severely limit the laboratory's ability to
respond to current and future analytical needs.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2022 authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds for
construction of a laboratory and office facility for the Texas
Department of Health.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 24A(b), Article 601d, V.T.C.S., (Texas
Public Finance Authority Act), to include laboratory and office
facilities for the Texas Department of Health, at an estimated cost
of $42,300,000, among the projects that are approved, bringing the
total cost for all projects to $170,933,000, rather than
$128,633,000.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.