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.