BILL ANALYSIS
By: Naishtat
Committee Report (Unammended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The 78th Legislature enacted legislation authorizing the creation of the Travis County Hospital District if approved by a majority of voters in Travis County. With approval of Travis County voters, the district was established. This bill would address several issues that were not addressed in the enabling legislation.
House Bill 3080 would permit a county commissioners court to provide for health and related benefits to hospital district employees, and would authorize a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not part of a hospital district before September 1, 2003, to issue revenue anticipation notes.
The bill would also permit a hospital district in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not part of a hospital district prior to September 1, 2003 to rename the district with the approval of the commissioners court.
House Bill 3080 would allow for a district in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not part of a hospital district before September 1, 2003 to contract with various entities for assistance in providing services or for the provision of services.
Finally, the bill would repeal the requirement to conduct a study related to the establishment of a medical school.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 157.002(a), Local Government Code, by adding employees of a hospital district created in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not included in the boundaries of a hospital district before September 1, 2003 to the list of persons that could receive benefits from the county with approval of the county commissioners.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 157.003(b), Local Government Code, by requiring a hospital district to contribute to the county hospital and insurance fund.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 157.101(a), Local Government Code, by authorizing a commissioners court, to provide certain health benefits to hospital district employees of a district located entirely in the county with a population of more than 800,000 and in which the county was not part of the hospital district prior to September 1, 2003.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 157.102(b), Local Government Code, by permitting a hospital district to contribute to the group health and related benefits fund.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 1431.001(2), Government Code, by authorizing a hospital district in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not included in the boundaries of the district before September 1, 2003 to issue revenue anticipation notes.
SECTION 6. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 281.0475, which authorizes the hospital district board to rename the district, with approval of the commissioners' court. This only applies to a district in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not included in the boundaries of the district prior to September 1, 2003.
SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 281.0513 which authorizes the district board, with the approval of the commissioners court, to contract with various entities for assistance in, or for, the provision of services. This only applies to a district in a county with a population of more than 800,000 that was not included in the boundaries of the district prior to September 1, 2003.
SECTION 8. Amends the Health and Safety Code by repealing Section 281.0461 which required a study relating to the establishment of a medical school.
SECTION 9. Effective Date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.