SRC-CDH S.B. 102 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 102 By: Zaffirini Finance 1-16-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, emergency medical services and trauma care systems lack funding and have been financed primarily through grants, donations, and local support. This bill adds $6 to every traffic violation in the state, which will be deposited into the emergency medical services and trauma care system fund, to be administered by the Texas Department of Health for the provision of emergency medical services. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 102 creates an emergency medical services and trauma care system fund to be administered by the Texas Department of Health. 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 Chapter 773E, Health and Safety Code, by adding Sections 773.121-773.124, as follows: Sec. 773.121. FUND. Provides that the emergency medical services and trauma care system fund (fund) is created as a special account in the state treasury. Authorizes money in the fund to be appropriated only to the Texas Department of Health (department) for the purposes described by Section 773.122. Establishes that the fund is composed of money received under Article 102.019, Code of Criminal Procedure. Sec. 773.122. PAYMENTS FROM THE FUND. Requires the commissioner of health (commissioner), with advice and counsel from the chairpersons of the regional advisory councils, to use money in the fund to fund county and regional emergency medical services and trauma care systems. Establishes the terms by which the commissioner is required to maintain a reserve of money for extraordinary emergencies; fund the cost of supplies, operational expenses, education and training, equipment, vehicles, and communications systems for local emergency medical services; use appropriated money for operation of the 22 trauma support areas, including equipment, communications, and education and training; fund the administrative costs of the department associated with administering certain programs; and fund a portion of the uncompensated trauma care provided at facilities designated as state trauma facilities by the department. Requires the department to review the percentages for disbursement of funds on an annual basis and make recommendations for proposed changes to ensure appropriate and fair funding. Sec. 773.123. CONTROL OF EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND. Requires the money distributed from the fund to be used in accordance with Section 773.122 on the authorization of the chief executive of the county to which the money is disbursed on vouchers issued by the county's treasurer. Sec. 773.124. LOSS OF FUNDING ELIGIBILITY. Prohibits the department, for a period of not less than one year or more than three years, as determined by the department, from disbursing money under Section 773.122 to a county, municipality, or local recipient that the department finds used money in violation of that section. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 102A, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article 102.019, as follows: Art. 102.019. COURT COSTS; EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. Requires a defendant convicted of an offense under Chapters 545B-F, H, or I, Transportation Code, or relating to the driving or operating of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft under Sections 49.03-49.08, Penal Code, to pay $6 as a cost of court. Provides that a person is considered to have been convicted if a sentence is imposed, the defendant receives community supervision, or the court defers final disposition of the case. Sets forth the terms by which an officer collecting costs under Subsection (a) or (b) is required to keep a separate record of the funds collected and file the report required under Article 103.005. Establishes the terms by which the custodian of the county treasurer is required to keep a record of the funds collected under Subsections (a) and (b), deposit the amount, and remit to the comptroller funds collected. SECTION 3. (a) Makes application of Section 2 of this Act prospective. (b) Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.