SRC-TBR H.B. 3244 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3244 By: Gallego (Sponsor Unknown) Finance 5/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law provides the Texas Department of Health (TDH) with appropriated funds from the interest proceeds of the emergency medical services and trauma care tobacco endowment. Initially, interest deposits appropriated for the program were made monthly. However, this was changed to quarterly deposits during the last fiscal year. Consequently, some grant recipients now wait up to three months for fund reimbursement which may present a financial hardship. H.B. 3244 allows TDH to temporarily transfer certain tobacco funds among tobacco-endowed programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS H.B. 3244 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to direct the comptroller of public accounts (comptroller) to temporarily transfer money appropriated to TDH to pay an obligation that TDH is authorized to incur under and for which money is appropriated under the Community Hospital Capital Improvement Fund, the Permanent Fund for Children and Public Health, the Permanent Fund for Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care, and the Permanent Fund for Tobacco Education and Enforcement if TDH determines that the transfer is necessary for cash management purposes. As soon as possible after the transfer, the bill requires TDH to direct the comptroller to transfer back the transferred amount from amounts appropriated under the Community Hospital Capital Improvement Fund, the Permanent Fund for Children and Public Health, the Permanent Fund for Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care to a specific appropriation item. EFFECTIVE DATE: On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.