LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 21, 2005

TO:
Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2235 by Baxter (Relating to emergency services districts.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize two or more emergency services districts to merge into a single district if certain criteria are met. The bill would establish the procedures for merging emergency services districts, including holding an election in each of the districts to obtain voter approval for the merger. In addition, a municipality that annexes territory in a district would be required to hold an election in the territory on the question of whether the residents of that area favor disannexation from the district. It the annexed territory were to remain in the district, and the district continues to provide emergency services in that area, the municipality would be required to reimburse the district for the services provided at a rate equal to that incurred by the district in providing services to the territory before the annexation.

The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the required two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2005.


Local Government Impact

Districts that may consider merging would each incur the costs of conducting an election. According to data submitted by local government entities to the Secretary of State in March 2004, the average cost per registered voter for holding an election is $1.29. The election costs would vary by district. A municipality that considers annexing an area that contains an emergency services district would incur election costs, which would vary by municipality. If a district were to remain within an annexed area, the municipality would incur the costs of reimbursing the district for services; however, it is anticipated that the cost of reimbursing the district would be similar to costs the municipality would have otherwise incurred if the district did not exist and the municipality provided the emergency services directly.


Source Agencies:
LBB Staff:
JOB, DLBa