By Hawley H.B. No. 2605 77R6516 YDB-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the maximum tax rate for certain hospital districts. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 286, Health and Safety Code, 1-5 is amended by adding Section 286.165 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 286.165. ELECTION TO INCREASE MAXIMUM TAX RATE. 1-7 (a) The registered voters of a hospital district may file a 1-8 petition with the secretary of the board requesting an election to 1-9 authorize an increase in the maximum tax rate of the district. 1-10 (b) The petition must be signed by at least the lesser of: 1-11 (1) 100 of the registered voters of the district; or 1-12 (2) the number equal to 15 percent of the registered 1-13 voters of the district. 1-14 (c) The petition must state the maximum tax rate to be voted 1-15 on at the election, which may not exceed 75 cents on the $100 1-16 valuation of all taxable property in the district. 1-17 (d) The board by order shall set a time and place to hold a 1-18 hearing on the petition. The hearing may not be held before the 1-19 11th day after the date the board issues the order. 1-20 (e) Following the hearing, if the board finds that the 1-21 petition is in proper form and that an increase of the maximum tax 1-22 rate would benefit the district, the board shall order an election 1-23 to authorize the increase of the maximum tax rate of the district 1-24 to the tax rate stated in the petition. 2-1 (f) The ballot for the election shall be printed to permit 2-2 voting for or against the proposition: "The increase by the (name 2-3 of district) Hospital District of the rate of annual taxes levied 2-4 for hospital purposes to a rate not to exceed (the amount 2-5 prescribed by the petition, not to exceed 75 cents) cents on each 2-6 $100 valuation of all taxable property in the district." 2-7 (g) The election shall be held after the 45th day and on or 2-8 before the 60th day after the date the election is ordered. 2-9 (h) The election shall be ordered and notice of the election 2-10 shall be given in the manner provided by Sections 286.024 and 2-11 286.025. 2-12 (i) If the majority of the votes cast in the district favor 2-13 the proposition, the maximum tax rate of the district is increased 2-14 to the tax rate stated in the petition. 2-15 (j) Section 41.004(a), Election Code, does not apply to an 2-16 election held under this section. 2-17 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.