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.