SRC-TNM S.B. 157 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 157 By: Haywood Intergovernmental Relations 2-23-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Vernon State Hospital, in Wilbarger County, spends county funds to provide mental health services to residents of numerous other counties in Texas. Many of these patients are committed to the hospital by the court, leaving the taxpayers of Wilbarger County to fund the trying of cases which benefit other counties. Wilbarger County is currently reimbursed by other counties for the filing fees, service fees, and court-appointed attorney fees, but not the county fees. The goal of S.B. 157 is to allow the county attorney in Wilbarger County to be reimbursed for prosecuting mental health cases in which the defendant is a resident of another county. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 157 outlines provisions relating to reimbursement fees for the Wilbarger County attorney. 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 45B, Government Code, by adding Section 45.344, as follows: Sec. 45.344. WILBARGER COUNTY. Sets forth provisions by which the county attorney is entitled to a fee for the prosecution of cases arising under Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code, in which the patient is a resident of a county other than Wilbarger County. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.