BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 344
                                                      By: Ratliff
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                         02-08-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

During the 72nd Legislature, HB 124 was passed setting out a plan
to dissolve the Morris County Hospital District.  The dissolution
election carried and the board of directors has paid all lawfully
incurred debt of the district, but there is still some remaining
tax money to disburse.  The implementing legislation requires that
this money be returned to the taxpayers on a prorata basis. 
However, the remaining tax money amounts to $42,000.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 344 requires the board of directors of Morris
County Hospital District to transfer surplus tax money of the
hospital district to Morris County.  

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 Sections 9.09, Chapter 719, Acts of the 71st
Legislature, 1989, by amending Subsections (d) and (e) and adding
Subsection (g), as follows:

     (d)  Requires the board of directors of Morris County Hospital
     District to transfer all surplus tax money, after all debts
     are paid, to Morris County for use by the county in providing
     health care services and assistance to indigent residents of
     the county under Chapter 61B, Health and Safety Code.  Deletes
     provisions requiring a return of unused tax money to each
     person who paid the tax imposed under this section.
     
     (e)  Makes conforming changes.
     
     (g)  Authorizes Morris County on behalf of the board, to
     collect any delinquent taxes imposed by the board under this
     section, after the commissioners court of the county enters an
     order affirming the dissolution of the district.  Requires
     Morris County to use the money to provide health care services
     and assistance to indigent residents of the county under
     Chapter 61B, Health and Safety Code.
     
     SECTION 2:     Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.