SRC-JEC S.B. 1564 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1564
By: Duncan
Intergovernmental Relations
3/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, funding methods for emergency medical services in the City of
Big Spring are insufficient to support the services.  As proposed, S.B.
1564 authorizes certain cities to assess a fee on water, sewer, gas, or
electrical services to help fund emergency medical services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Title 2F, Health and Safety Code, by adding Chapter 123,
as follows: 

CHAPTER 123.  FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BY
CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES

Sec. 123.001.  MUNICIPALITIES COVERED BY CHAPTER.  Provides that this
chapter applies only to a municipality that: 

  (1)  has a population of 5,000 or more;

(2)  provides services through full-time employees of the emergency medical
services department of the municipality's fire department; 

(3)  is not within a district that otherwise provides emergency medical
services; and 

  (4)  is within a county with a population of less than 60,000.

Sec. 123.002.  AUTHORITY TO ASSESS FEE FOR THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES.  Authorizes the governing body of a municipality subject
to this chapter to levy or assess a fee by ordinance in an amount not to
exceed $2 per month to be paid by persons to whom water, sewer, gas, or
electrical services are provided by the municipality.  Requires the fee, if
imposed, to be collected in the same manner as any other utility payment
collected by the municipality. 

  (b)  Requires a fee imposed under this section to be enacted by ordinance.

Sec. 123.003.  COLLECTION AND USE OF FUNDS.  Requires funds collected by a
municipality under this chapter to be accounted for in a separate
proprietary fund.  Authorizes the funds collected to be used only for the
provision of emergency medical services within the municipality or the
county in which the municipality is located. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.