SRC-MAX H.B. 901 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 901 By: Patterson (Ratliff) Intergovernmental Relations 4-17-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the board of directors of the Hopkins County Hospital District (board) is composed mostly of Sulphur Springs residents. By increasing the number of directors, the board anticipates more community representation. By increasing the current two-year term to three years, the board anticipates that members will have more time to become acquainted with the workings of the hospital. H.B. 901 increases the number of directors and increases the length of the term served by the directors. This bill also makes changes dealing with the election of the directors. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 901 increases the number of directors on the board of directors of the Hopkins County Hospital District, amends the length of time served by these directors, and amends certain aspects of the election process of the directors. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 3, Chapter 43, Acts of the 57th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1961, to provide that the board of directors of the Hopkins County Hospital District (board) consists of seven directors who serve staggered three-year terms. Requires a director to continue to serve until a successor has been elected or appointed and qualified. Deletes a provision requiring the commissioners court in the county to perform certain functions. Requires the board to elect a vice president. Requires a majority of the full membership of the board, rather than any three members of the board, to constitute a quorum and a concurrence of a majority, rather than three, to be sufficient in all matters pertaining to the business of the district. Requires a regular election of the director to be held on the first Saturday in May, rather than April, of each year. Requires any person desiring his name to be printed on the ballot as a candidate for director to file an application, rather than a petition signed by a certain number of qualified voters, with the secretary of the board. Requires the application to be filed with such secretary 45 days, rather than 25 day, prior to the date of the election. SECTION 2. Sets forth certain requirements for an election for directors under this section. Sets forth the terms for the elected directors. Provides that a quorum consists of three members of the board until May 2, 1998, regardless of the quorum requirement of Section 3, Chapter 43, Acts of the 57th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1961, as amended by this Act. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.