LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 26, 2007

TO:	Honorable Dianne White Delisi, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2333 by Jackson, Jim (Relating to county liability for indigent health care services.), As Introduced

Because it is unknown how many counties might fail to comply with the provisions of the bill, the amount of revenue deposited to the state cannot be estimated.

The bill would amend Chapter 61 of the Health and Safety Code to require all counties in the state to submit to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) the eligibility standards, application procedures, and documentation required to verify eligibility for indigent health care services the county expected to use during that fiscal year. DSHS would be obligated to audit each county periodically to verify compliance. If a county were determined to not be in compliance, DSHS would determine liability and notify the Comptroller.

The bill would require the Comptroller to place an immediate hold on tax revenue not yet allocated to the liable county and, upon making final determination of the amount of the county liability, deposit to the credit of the General Revenue Fund 0001 an amount equal to the liability. Funds so deposited could be appropriated only as follows: 50 percent to provide indigent health care assistance, and 50 percent to provide primary care services.

The bill would create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either with or outside of the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. Therefore, the fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2007. The Comptroller and DSHS would have to adopt rules and procedures by January 1, 2008.

Local Government Impact

There would be no significant fiscal impact to a county to submit to the comptroller the information required by the provisions of the bill. If a county is determined not to be in compliance with Section 61.033, the county may lose some tax revenues to cover liabilities.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 537 State Health Services, Department of

LBB Staff:

JOB, SD, CL, KJG