SRC-CTC C.S.S.B. 216 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 216
77R9782 CBH-FBy: Bernsen
Education
3/15/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) makes grants to provide
money for technology purchases to help develop the telecommunications
infrastructure that connects certain public entities and the public health
delivery system in Texas.  Telemedicine is the use of live or taped video
to examine a patient via satellite.  Currently, only non-profit centers can
apply for a TIF grant.  C.S.S.B. 216 expands the use of TIF grants for
telemedical equipment to rural for-profit entities with a demonstrated
record of providing care to the medically underserved or underinsured so
that more facilities will participate in telemedicine. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the telecommunications
infrastructure fund board in SECTION 2 (Section 57.047, Utilities Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 57.042(11), Utilities Code, to redefine
"telemedicine." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 57.047, Utilities Code, by adding Subsection (g)
to require the telecommunications infrastructure fund board (board), in
awarding a grant or loan under this section for a telemedicine project to
give priority to certain entities and adopt rules prescribing the criteria
a forprofit rural hospital must meet regarding service to the medically
underserved or underinsured under Subsection (g)(1)(B). 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 58.253(a), Utilities Code, to require an
electing company, on customer request, to provide private network services
to a project funded by the telecommunications infrastructure fund under
Chapter 57C, except that an electing company is prohibited from being
required to provide private network services to a for-profit rural
hospital, or to an ambulatory health care center, as defined by Section
57.042. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Amends As Filed S.B. 216 by removing the definition of "health
care facility." Redefines "telemedicine." 

SECTION 2.  Amends As Filed S.B. 216 by including an amendment to Section
57.047, Utilities Code, related to the awarding of a grant or loan under
that section. 

SECTION 3.  Amends As Filed S.B. 216 by including an amendment to Section
58.253(a), Utilities Code, related to certain requirements of an electing
company providing private network service. 

SECTION 4.  Amends As Filed S.B. 216 by redesignating SECTION 2 as SECTION
4 and  removing text relating to this Act being effective immediately.