AN ACT
 1-1     relating to the Hardeman County Hospital District.
 1-2           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-3           SECTION 1.  Subsections (d), (f), and (g), Section 3, Chapter
 1-4     214, Acts of the 66th Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, are
 1-5     amended to read as follows:
 1-6           (d)  At the election to create the district, a separate
 1-7     ballot shall be submitted to the voters containing the names of all
 1-8     qualified persons who filed an application with the commissioners
 1-9     court at least 25 days before the election asking to have their
1-10     names placed on the ballot for the office of director.  Each voter
1-11     shall vote for seven persons and the seven receiving the highest
1-12     number of votes are the first board of directors.  Of those
1-13     elected, the three directors receiving the lowest number of votes
1-14     shall serve until the first Saturday in May [April] following the
1-15     election.  The four directors receiving the highest number of votes
1-16     shall serve until the first Saturday in May [April] of the year
1-17     following the expiration of the terms of the other three directors.
1-18           (f)  The commissioners court shall determine the seven
1-19     candidates for director receiving the highest number of votes at
1-20     the creation election and declare those persons elected to the
1-21     board.  The commissioners court also shall declare the terms of
1-22     each director.  Successors to the board shall be elected by vote of
1-23     the qualified electors of the entire district for two-year terms.
1-24     A regular election for directors shall be held as provided by
 2-1     Section 41.001, Election Code.  The board shall publish notice of
 2-2     each election of directors in a newspaper or newspapers that
 2-3     individually or collectively provide general circulation in the
 2-4     district one time at least 30 days before the date of the election.
 2-5     Any person desiring to have his or her name printed on the ballot
 2-6     as a candidate for director shall file an application with the
 2-7     secretary of the board of directors at least 45 [25] days before
 2-8     the election [a petition signed by at least 15 qualified electors].
 2-9     The board shall canvass the returns and declare the results.  A
2-10     vacancy in office shall be filled for the unexpired term by
2-11     appointment by the remainder of the board of directors.
2-12           (g)  Each member of the board shall qualify by executing the
2-13     constitutional oath of office and may be required to execute [by
2-14     executing] good and sufficient bond to be approved by the
2-15     commissioners court for $5,000 payable to the district, conditioned
2-16     upon the faithful performance of that director's duties as
2-17     director.  The oath and bond shall be kept in the permanent records
2-18     of the district.  The district may provide for directors' bonds
2-19     with district funds.
2-20           SECTION 2.  Section 4, Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th
2-21     Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as follows:
2-22           Sec. 4.  POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The board shall manage,
2-23     control, and administer the hospital system and all funds and
2-24     resources of the district, but in no event shall any operating,
2-25     depreciation, or building reserves be invested in any funds or
2-26     securities other than those specified in Article 836 or 837,
 3-1     Revised [Civil] Statutes [of Texas, 1925, as amended].  The
 3-2     district through its board may sue and be sued and may promulgate
 3-3     rules governing the operation of the hospital, hospital system, its
 3-4     staff, and its employees.  The board may appoint qualified persons
 3-5     as administrator of the hospital district, attorney for the
 3-6     district, and assistant to the administrator.  The administrator,
 3-7     the attorney, and the assistant administrator, if any, shall serve
 3-8     at the will of the board and shall receive the compensation
 3-9     determined by the board.  The administrator may [shall], on
3-10     assuming his or her duties, execute a bond payable to the hospital
3-11     district in an amount to be set by the board, in no event less than
3-12     $5,000, conditioned that he or she shall perform the duties
3-13     required of him or her and containing such other conditions as the
3-14     board may require.  The board may pay for the bond with district
3-15     funds.  The administrator shall supervise all the work and
3-16     activities of the district and shall have general direction of the
3-17     affairs of the district, subject to the limitations as may be
3-18     prescribed by the board.  The board may appoint to the staff
3-19     doctors it may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the
3-20     district and may provide for temporary appointments to the staff if
3-21     warranted by circumstances.  The board may delegate to the
3-22     administrator the authority to employ technicians, nurses, and
3-23     employees of the district.
3-24           (b)  The board may purchase or lease property, including
3-25     facilities or equipment, for the district to use in the hospital
3-26     system and may mortgage or pledge the property as security for the
 4-1     payment of the purchase price.
 4-2           (c)  The board may contract with other political subdivisions
 4-3     or governmental agencies whereby the district will provide
 4-4     investigatory or other services as to facilities for the medical
 4-5     care, hospital, or welfare needs of the inhabitants of the district
 4-6     and may contract with any county or incorporated municipality
 4-7     located outside its boundaries for reimbursement for the care and
 4-8     treatment of the sick, diseased, or injured persons of that county
 4-9     or municipality.  The district may also contract with the state or
4-10     agencies of the federal government for the reimbursement for the
4-11     treatment of sick, diseased, or injured persons.
4-12           (d)  The board may enter into an interlocal agreement with
4-13     another political subdivision to operate the hospital district.
4-14           (e)  The board may contract to provide administrative or
4-15     other personnel for the operation of the hospital facilities.  A
4-16     contract entered into under this subsection may not have a term
4-17     longer than 25 years.
4-18           (f)  The board may lease district hospital facilities to
4-19     individuals, corporations, or other legal entities and may sell or
4-20     otherwise dispose of the district's property.
4-21           (g)  The board may provide retirement benefits for district
4-22     employees by establishing or administering a retirement program or
4-23     electing to participate in the Texas County and District Retirement
4-24     System or any other statewide retirement system for which the
4-25     district is eligible.
4-26           (h)  The board may spend district funds to recruit
 5-1     physicians, nurses, and other trained medical personnel.  The board
 5-2     may contract with one or more full-time medical students or other
 5-3     students in a health occupation, each of whom is enrolled in and in
 5-4     good standing at an accredited medical school, college, or
 5-5     university, to pay the student's tuition or other expenses in
 5-6     consideration of the student's agreement to serve as an employee or
 5-7     independent contractor for the district.
 5-8           (i)  The board may institute a suit to enforce the payment of
 5-9     taxes and to foreclose liens to secure the payment of taxes due to
5-10     the district.
5-11           SECTION 3.  Section 5, Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th
5-12     Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as follows:
5-13           Sec. 5.  BUDGET.  The district shall be operated on the basis
5-14     of a fiscal year established by the board, provided the fiscal year
5-15     may not be changed during the time revenue bonds of the district
5-16     are outstanding or more than once in any 24-month period.  The
5-17     board shall have an annual audit made of the financial condition of
5-18     the district, which together with other records of the district
5-19     shall be open to inspection at the principal office of the
5-20     district.  The administrator shall prepare an annual budget for
5-21     approval by the board.  The budget shall also contain a complete
5-22     financial statement of the district showing all outstanding
5-23     obligations of the district, the cash on hand to the credit of each
5-24     fund of the district, the funds received from all sources during
5-25     the previous year, the funds available from all sources during the
5-26     ensuing year, the balances expected at the end of the year in which
 6-1     the budget is being prepared, estimated revenues and balances
 6-2     available to cover the proposed budget, and the estimated tax rate
 6-3     that will be required.  A public hearing on the annual budget shall
 6-4     be held by the board after notice has been given in the manner
 6-5     provided by Subchapter C, Chapter 551, Government Code [of a
 6-6     hearing has been published in a newspaper with general circulation
 6-7     in the district one time at least 10 days before the date set for
 6-8     the hearing].  Any person residing in the district is entitled to
 6-9     be present and participate in the hearing.  At the conclusion of
6-10     the hearing, the budget, as proposed by the administrator, shall be
6-11     acted on by the board.  The board shall have authority to make
6-12     changes in the budget that in its judgment the law warrants and the
6-13     interest of the taxpayers demands.  No expenditure may be made for
6-14     any expense not included in the annual budget or an amendment to
6-15     it.  The annual budget may be amended from time to time as the
6-16     circumstances may require, but the annual budget and all amendments
6-17     to it shall be approved by the board.  As soon as practicable after
6-18     the close of each fiscal year, the administrator shall prepare for
6-19     the board a full sworn statement of all money belonging to the
6-20     district and a full account of the disbursements of same.
6-21           SECTION 4.  Subsection (a), Section 6, Chapter 214, Acts of
6-22     the 66th Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as
6-23     follows:
6-24           (a)  The board may issue and sell its bonds in the name and
6-25     on the faith and credit of the hospital district for any purpose
6-26     related to the purchase, construction, acquisition, repair, and
 7-1     renovation of buildings and improvements and equipping the same for
 7-2     hospital purposes.  At the time of the issuance of any bonds
 7-3     payable from taxation [by the district], a tax shall be levied by
 7-4     the board sufficient to create an interest and sinking fund to pay
 7-5     the interest on and principal of the bonds as they mature,
 7-6     providing that the tax together with any other taxes levied for the
 7-7     district shall not exceed the limit approved by the voters at the
 7-8     election authorizing the levy of taxes [75 cents on each $100
 7-9     valuation of all taxable property located in the district subject
7-10     to hospital district taxation in any one year].  No bonds may be
7-11     issued by the hospital district except refunding bonds until
7-12     authorized by a majority of the qualified electors of the district.
7-13     The board, in ordering a bond election, shall specify the date of
7-14     the election, the amount of bonds to be authorized, the maximum
7-15     maturity of the bonds, the place or places where the election will
7-16     be held, and the presiding judge and alternate judge for each
7-17     voting place and shall provide for clerks as in county elections.
7-18     Chapter 41, [Section 9b, Texas] Election Code[, as amended (Article
7-19     2.01b, Vernon's Texas Election Code)], does not apply to a bond
7-20     election.  Notice of any bond election shall be given as provided
7-21     in Article 704, Revised [Civil] Statutes [of Texas, 1925, as
7-22     amended], and the election shall be conducted in accordance with
7-23     the [Texas] Election Code, [as amended,] except as modified by the
7-24     provisions of this Act.  The board shall canvass the returns and
7-25     declare the results.
7-26           SECTION 5.  Section 8, Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th
 8-1     Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as follows:
 8-2           Sec. 8.  REVENUE BONDS.  In addition to the power to issue
 8-3     bonds payable from taxes levied by the district as contemplated by
 8-4     Section 6 of this Act, the board may issue revenue bonds and refund
 8-5     any previously issued revenue bonds for purchasing, constructing,
 8-6     acquiring, repairing, equipping, or renovating buildings and
 8-7     improvements for hospital purposes, and for acquiring sites for
 8-8     hospital purposes.  The bonds shall be payable from and secured by
 8-9     a pledge of all or any part of the revenues of the district to be
8-10     derived from the operation of its hospital or hospitals, and the
8-11     bonds may be additionally secured by a mortgage or deed of trust
8-12     lien on any part or all of its property.  The bonds shall be issued
8-13     in the manner and in accordance with the procedures and
8-14     requirements specified for the issuance of revenue bonds by county
8-15     hospital authorities in Sections 264.042, 264.043, 264.046,
8-16     264.047, 264.048, and 264.049, Health and Safety Code [8, 10, 11,
8-17     12, and 13 of Chapter 122, Acts of the 58th Legislature, 1963, as
8-18     amended (Article 4494r, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)].
8-19           SECTION 6.  Subsection (b), Section 9, Chapter 214, Acts of
8-20     the 66th Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as
8-21     follows:
8-22           (b)  The board may prescribe the method and manner of making
8-23     purchases and expenditures by and for the hospital district and may
8-24     prescribe all accounting and control procedures.  Contracts for
8-25     construction involving the expenditure of more than $15,000
8-26     [$10,000] may be made only after advertising as [in the manner]
 9-1     provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 271, Local Government Code
 9-2     [Chapter 163, General Laws, Acts of the 42nd Legislature, Regular
 9-3     Session, 1931, as amended (Article 2368a, Vernon's Texas Civil
 9-4     Statutes)].  The provisions of Chapter 2253, Government Code
 9-5     [Article 5160, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended],
 9-6     relating to performance and payment bonds shall apply to
 9-7     construction contracts let by the district.  The district may
 9-8     acquire equipment for use in its hospital system and mortgage or
 9-9     pledge the property acquired as security for the payment of the
9-10     purchase price.  Except as permitted in the preceding sentence and
9-11     Sections 6, 7, and 8 of this Act, the district may incur no
9-12     obligation payable from revenues of the district, tax or otherwise,
9-13     except those on hand or to be on hand within the then current and
9-14     following fiscal years of the district.
9-15           SECTION 7.  Subsection (a), Section 13, Chapter 214, Acts of
9-16     the 66th Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as
9-17     follows:
9-18           (a)  The district shall have the right and power of eminent
9-19     domain for the purpose of acquiring by condemnation any and all
9-20     property of any kind and character in fee simple, or any lesser
9-21     interest in property, within the boundaries of the district
9-22     necessary or convenient to the powers, rights, and privileges
9-23     conferred by this Act, in the manner provided by the general law
9-24     with respect to condemnation by counties.  The district shall not
9-25     be required to make deposits in the registry of the trial court of
9-26     the sum required by Section 21.021, Property Code [Paragraph 2,
 10-1    Article 3268, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended],
 10-2    or to make bond as provided in that law.  In condemnation
 10-3    proceedings being prosecuted by the district, the district shall
 10-4    not be required to pay in advance or give bond or other security
 10-5    for costs in the trial court or to give any bond otherwise required
 10-6    for the issuance of a temporary restraining order or a temporary
 10-7    injunction or to give bond for costs or for supersedeas on any
 10-8    appeal or writ of error.
 10-9          SECTION 8.  Section 14, Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th
10-10    Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, is amended to read as follows:
10-11          Sec. 14.  TAX ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION.  (a)  The board may
10-12    levy taxes for the entire year in which the district is created as
10-13    a result of the election provided in this Act.  All taxes of the
10-14    district shall be assessed and collected on county tax values as
10-15    provided in Subsection (b) of this section unless the board by
10-16    majority vote elects to have taxes assessed and collected by its
10-17    own tax assessor-collector under [Subsection (c) of] this section.
10-18    An election may be held annually before December 1 and shall govern
10-19    the manner in which taxes are subsequently assessed and collected
10-20    until changed by a similar resolution.  Hospital tax shall be
10-21    levied on all taxable property within the district subject to
10-22    hospital district taxation.
10-23          (b)  The board annually may impose property taxes in an
10-24    amount not to exceed the limit approved by the voters at the
10-25    election authorizing the levy of taxes.  The tax rate for all
10-26    purposes may not exceed 75 cents on each $100 valuation of all
 11-1    taxable property in the district [Under this subsection, district
 11-2    taxes shall be assessed and collected on county tax values in the
 11-3    same manner as provided by law with relation to county taxes.  The
 11-4    tax assessor-collector of Hardeman County shall be charged and
 11-5    required to accomplish the assessment and collection of all taxes
 11-6    levied by and on behalf of the district.  The assessor-collector of
 11-7    taxes shall charge and deduct from payments to the hospital
 11-8    district an amount as fees for assessing and collecting the taxes
 11-9    at a rate of one percent of the taxes assessed and one percent of
11-10    the taxes collected, but in no event shall the amount paid exceed
11-11    $5,000 in any one calendar year.  These fees shall be deposited in
11-12    the officers salary fund of the county and reported as fees of
11-13    office of the county tax assessor-collector.  Interest and
11-14    penalties on taxes paid to the hospital district shall be the same
11-15    as in the case of county taxes.  Discounts shall be the same as
11-16    allowed by the county.  The residue of tax collections after
11-17    deductions of discounts and fees for assessing and collecting shall
11-18    be deposited in the district's depository.  The bonds of the county
11-19    tax assessor-collector shall stand as security for the proper
11-20    performance of his or her duties as assessor-collector of the
11-21    district; or if in the judgment of the board it is necessary,
11-22    additional bond payable to the district may be required.  In all
11-23    matters pertaining to the assessment, collection, and enforcement
11-24    of taxes for the district, the county tax assessor-collector may
11-25    act in all respects according to the laws of the State of Texas
11-26    relating to state and county taxes].
 12-1          (c)  The taxes may be used to pay:
 12-2                (1)  the indebtedness issued or assumed by the
 12-3    district; and
 12-4                (2)  the maintenance and operating expenses of the
 12-5    district.
 12-6          (d)  The district may not impose taxes to pay the principal
 12-7    of or interest on revenue bonds.
 12-8          (e)  The Tax Code governs the appraisal, assessment, and
 12-9    collection of district taxes.
12-10          (f)  The board may provide for the appointment of a tax
12-11    assessor-collector for the district or may contract for the
12-12    assessment and collection of taxes as provided by the Tax Code
12-13    [Under this subsection, taxes shall be assessed and collected by a
12-14    tax assessor-collector appointed by the board, which shall also fix
12-15    the term of his or her employment, compensation, and requirement
12-16    for bond to assure the faithful performance of his or her duties,
12-17    but in no event shall the bond be for less than $5,000.  The
12-18    directors shall appoint five persons to serve as a board of
12-19    equalization for two-year terms and shall fix their compensation.
12-20    The members of the board of equalization and the tax
12-21    assessor-collector shall be residents of the district, and each
12-22    shall have the same duties, including the obligation to execute the
12-23    oath of office, as required of county officials exercising those
12-24    powers and duties.  Except as provided in this law to the contrary,
12-25    all the provisions of Title 122, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas,
12-26    1925, as amended, shall apply to the district].
 13-1          SECTION 9.  Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th Legislature,
 13-2    Regular Session, 1979, is amended by adding Section 14A to read as
 13-3    follows:
 13-4          Sec. 14A.  BORROWING.  (a)  The board may borrow money for
 13-5    district obligations at the time the loan is made.
 13-6          (b)  To secure a loan, the board may pledge:
 13-7                (1)  the revenues of the district that are not pledged
 13-8    to pay bonded indebtedness of the district;
 13-9                (2)  taxes to be levied by the district in the next
13-10    12-month period that are not pledged to pay the principal of or
13-11    interest on district bonds; or
13-12                (3)  district bonds that have been authorized but not
13-13    sold.
13-14          (c)  A loan for which taxes or bonds are pledged must mature
13-15    not later than the first anniversary of the date on which the loan
13-16    is made.  A loan for which district revenues are pledged must
13-17    mature not later than the fifth anniversary of the date on which
13-18    the loan is made.
13-19          SECTION 10.  Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th Legislature,
13-20    Regular Session, 1979, is amended by adding Section 21A to read as
13-21    follows:
13-22          Sec. 21A.  DISSOLUTION.  (a)  The district may be dissolved
13-23    only if the dissolution is approved by a majority of the qualified
13-24    voters of the district voting in an election called and held for
13-25    that purpose.
13-26          (b)  The board may order an election on the question of
 14-1    dissolving the district and disposing of the district's assets and
 14-2    obligations.  The board shall order an election if the board
 14-3    receives a petition requesting an election that is signed by a
 14-4    number of residents of the district equal to at least 15 percent of
 14-5    the registered voters in the district.
 14-6          (c)  The election shall be held not later than the 60th day
 14-7    after the date the election is ordered.  Section 41.001(a),
 14-8    Election Code, does not apply to an election ordered under this
 14-9    section.  The order calling the election shall state:
14-10                (1)  the nature of the election, including the
14-11    proposition that is to appear on the ballot;
14-12                (2)  the date of the election;
14-13                (3)  the hours during which the polls will be open; and
14-14                (4)  the location of the polling places.
14-15          (d)  The board shall give notice of the election by
14-16    publishing the election order in a newspaper with general
14-17    circulation in the district once a week for two consecutive weeks.
14-18    The first publication must appear not less than 35 days before the
14-19    date set for the election.  The ballot for the election shall be
14-20    printed to permit voting for or against the proposition:  "The
14-21    dissolution of the Hardeman County Hospital District."
14-22          (e)  If a majority of the votes in the election favor
14-23    dissolution, the board shall find that the district is dissolved.
14-24    If a majority of the votes in the election do not favor
14-25    dissolution, the board shall continue to administer the district,
14-26    and another election on the question of dissolution may not be held
 15-1    before the first anniversary of the most recent election to
 15-2    dissolve the district.
 15-3          (f)  If a majority of the votes in the election favor
 15-4    dissolution, the board shall:
 15-5                (1)  transfer the land, buildings, improvements,
 15-6    equipment, and other assets that belong to the district to a county
 15-7    or other governmental agency in the county in which the district is
 15-8    located; or
 15-9                (2)  administer the property, assets, and debts until
15-10    all funds have been disposed of and all district debts have been
15-11    paid or settled.
15-12          (g)  If the district transfers the land, buildings,
15-13    improvements, equipment, and other assets to a county or other
15-14    governmental agency, the county or agency assumes all debts and
15-15    obligations of the district at the time of the transfer, and the
15-16    district is dissolved.
15-17          (h)  After the board finds that the district is dissolved,
15-18    the board shall:
15-19                (1)  determine the debt owed by the district; and
15-20                (2)  impose on the property included in the district's
15-21    tax rolls a tax that is in proportion of the debt to the property
15-22    value.
15-23          (i)  When all outstanding debts and obligations of the
15-24    district are paid, the board shall order the secretary to return
15-25    the pro rata share of all unused tax money to each district
15-26    taxpayer.
 16-1          (j)  A taxpayer may request that the taxpayer's share of
 16-2    surplus tax money be credited to the taxpayer's county taxes.  If a
 16-3    taxpayer requests the credit, the board shall direct the secretary
 16-4    to transmit the funds to the county tax assessor-collector.
 16-5          (k)  After the district has paid all its debts and has
 16-6    disposed of all its assets and funds as prescribed by this section,
 16-7    the board shall file a written report with the Commissioners Court
 16-8    of Hardeman County setting forth a summary of the board's actions
 16-9    in dissolving the district.
16-10          (l)  Not later than the 10th day after the date it receives
16-11    the report and determines that the requirements of this section
16-12    have been fulfilled, the Commissioners Court of Hardeman County
16-13    shall enter an order dissolving the district and releasing the
16-14    board of directors of the district from any further duty or
16-15    obligation.
16-16          (m)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the
16-17    district may not be dissolved unless the board provides for the
16-18    sale or transfer of the district's assets and liabilities to
16-19    another person or entity.  The dissolution of the district and the
16-20    sale or transfer of the district's assets or liabilities may not
16-21    contravene a trust indenture or bond resolution relating to the
16-22    outstanding bonds of the district.  The dissolution and sale or
16-23    transfer does not diminish or impair the rights of a holder of an
16-24    outstanding bond, warrant, or other obligation of the district.
16-25          (n)  The sale or transfer of the district's assets and
16-26    liabilities must satisfy the debt and bond obligation of the
 17-1    district in a manner that protects the interests of the residents
 17-2    of the district, including the residents' collective property
 17-3    rights in the district's assets.  A grant from federal funds is an
 17-4    obligation to be repaid in satisfaction.  The district may not
 17-5    transfer or dispose of the district's assets except for due
 17-6    compensation unless the transfer is made to a governmental agency
 17-7    that serves the district and the transferred assets are to be used
 17-8    for the benefit of the residents of the district.
 17-9          SECTION 11.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
17-10          SECTION 12.  The changes in law made by this Act to
17-11    Subsection (b), Section 9, Chapter 214, Acts of the 66th
17-12    Legislature, Regular Session, 1979, apply only to a request for
17-13    competitive bids made by the board of directors of the Hardeman
17-14    County Hospital District on or after the effective date of this
17-15    Act.  A request for competitive bids by a board made before the
17-16    effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the
17-17    board submitted the request for competitive bids, and the former
17-18    law is continued in effect for that purpose.
17-19          SECTION 13.  The importance of this legislation and the
17-20    crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
17-21    emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
17-22    constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
17-23    days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1624 passed the Senate on
         April 8, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
         the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 21, 1999, by a
         viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1624 passed the House, with
         amendment, on May 19, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor