SRC-AMY C.S.S.B. 1237 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1237
78R10745 JTS-FBy: Estes
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
4-4-2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Veterans Land Board (VLB) owns four State Veterans Homes (TSVH)
licensed under Chapter 242 (Convalescent and Nursing Homes and Related
Institutions), Health & Safety Code. Section 242.096 (Nursing and
Convalescent Home Trust Fund and Emergency Assistance Funds), Health &
Safety Code, establishes an emergency assistance fund to be used to meet
the basic needs of residents should a licensed home go into receivership.
The Department of Human Services is authorized to  assess a fee against
all licensed convalescent or nursing homes if this fund drops below a
certain level.  Although TSVH has to pay into the fund, it would never
benefit from the fund.  Should a veterans home lose its license or close,
VLB would resume control of the home and appoint  a new operator. C.S.S.B.
1237 exempts a veterans home from Section 242.097 (Additional License Fee
- Nursing and Convalescent Homes), Health & Safety Code. 

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 Section 242.097, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (d) to provide that this section does not apply to a veterans
home as defined by Section 164.002 (Definitions), Natural Resources Code. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original in the relating clause by relating the bill to
license fees for certain nursing and convalescent homes, rather than to
additional fees assessed against institutions licensed under Chapter 242
(Convalescent and Nursing Homes and Related Institutions), Health and
Safety Code. 

Differs from the original in SECTION 1 by making the bill conform to
legislative drafting standards.