LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 17, 2005

TO:	Honorable Ray Allen, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1013 by Harris (Relating to the use of private legal counsel by certain hospital districts.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Section 281.056, Health and Safety Code (which applies to hospital districts in a county with a population of at least 190,000) to authorize a hospital district to employ or contract with private legal counsel to represent the district on any legal matter. The bill would, however, provide as an exception that the county attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney, as appropriate, with the duty to represent the county in civil matters, shall in all legal matters, represent a district located in certain counties.

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.

Under current statute, the county attorney, district attorney, or criminal district attorney, as appropriate, is required to represent the applicable hospital district in all legal matters. In addition, the district is authorized to employ additional legal counsel. 

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact would vary by district and county, however, no significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, DLBa