BWH H.B. 2805 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
H.B. 2805
By: Kamel
5-1-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Today in Texas there is not a clear and precise rule to determine what
governmental agency has final authority to contract for the provision of
ambulance service in a community.  Presently, the authority rests with
cities, counties, hospital districts, and fire districts.  To bring a
defined level of order and to reduce the potential of crossing
jurisdictional authority, counties and incorporated cities should have the
final authority to contract for providing ambulance service. 


PURPOSE

HB 2805 removes the authority which a governing board of a hospital
district has to approve an agreement made with the commissioners court to
provide ambulance service in a hospital district. The bill also states
that if the commissioners court has entered into an exclusive agreement
with an agency, another agency may not provide emergency ambulance service
in the county without the commissioner court's approval. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 774.003(b), Health and Safety Code by removing
the authority which a governing board of a hospital district has to
approve an agreement made with the commissioners court to provide
ambulance service in a hospital district.  Language is added which states
that if the commissioners court has entered into an exclusive agreement
with an agency or entity, another agency or entity may not provide
emergency ambulance service in the county without the commissioners
court's approval. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997

SECTION 3. Emergency clause