LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 30, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Fred M. Bosse, Chair, House Committee on Civil
               Practices
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB1340  by Brimer (Relating to the liability of certain
               hospitals that provide charity care.), Committee Report
               1st House, Substituted
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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It is assumed that any costs the Department of Health would incur in
implementing the provisions of the bill would be absorbed within the
agency's existing resources.
  
Local Government Impact
  
If a hospital, owned or operated by a unit of local government, were to
qualify for certification that would allow limited liability protection,
the hospital would experience a savings should they lose a lawsuit.
Lawsuit damages can be significant, therefore, the savings could be
significant.
  
  
Source Agencies:   501   Texas Department of Health
LBB Staff:         JK, TB, RM