BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hegar
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Emergency Service Districts (ESD) are political subdivisions established by the voters of an area for the purpose of raising money through ad valorem and/or sales taxes. These districts have multiple purposes, most importantly to protect life through the provision of emergency rescue and ambulance service and the protection of property from fire.
Currently, there is no program in the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) or any other state agency that is equipped to assist ESDs. This can create a problem because many people elected to serve on ESD boards have no specific knowledge of the roles, functions, and budgetary issues of their office.
The purpose of H.B. 2619 is to require ORCA to create a program that will provide rural communities with information, training, and technical assistance related to ESDs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 487, Government Code, by adding Section 487.060, as follows:
Requires ORCA to establish a voluntary program to provide certain information, training, and technical assistance to communities regarding ESDs.
SECTION 2. Effective Date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.