SRC-TBR H.B. 957 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 957 By: Burnam (Moncrief) Health & Human Services 4/20/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the fee a county or public health district may charge for restaurant health inspections is limited to $150 or the highest fee charged by a municipality in the county, whichever amount is less. This fee often does not cover the cost of an inspection, based on the time and personnel required to conduct the investigation. H.B. 957 authorizes a county or heath district to adopt a variable fee scale with a maximum limit of $300. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to a county or public health district in SECTION 1 (Section 437.012, Health and Safety Code), of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 437.012, Health and Safety Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (f), (g), and (h), as follows: (b) Provides that except as provided by Subsection (f), the fee charged by a county or public health district for issuing or renewing a permit may not exceed $150. (f) Authorizes a county or public health district to, by rule or order, adopt a variable scale to determine the fee charged for a permit under this section. Authorizes the county or public health district, in adopting a rule or order under this subsection, to consider certain factors. (g) Provides that a fee charged under Subsection (f) may not exceed $300. (h) Provides that the fee charged to a child care facility under this section may not exceed $150. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.