BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 4139
81R6340 ALB-F By: Homer (Deuell)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
This bill authorizes the board of directors of the Hopkins County Hospital District (district) to provide financial inducements to a physician, rather than a resident physician serving in a hospital, who contractually agrees to reside and practice in Hopkins County and provide care and treatment to its needy residents. The bill makes the board's authority relating to the acquisition of property, facilities, and equipment applicable to health care providers, rather than staff physicians. The bill also entitles any district resident to appear at the time and place designated in a notice for a proposed budget hearing and be heard regarding any item included in the proposed budget. The bill removes the requirement that the annual independent audit of the district's books are to be filed with the comptroller of public accounts. The bill repeals a provision that authorizes the board to offer financial inducements only to attract qualified physicians who possess medical expertise that is not available in the county.
H.B. 4139 amends current law relating to the powers and duties of the Hopkins County Hospital District.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 1043.052, Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, as follows:
Sec. 1043.052. NOTICE OF ELECTION. Requires that notice of an election of directors be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Hopkins County Hospital District (district) in accordance with Section 4.003 (Method of Giving Notice), Election Code, rather than requiring that, at least 10 days before the date of an election of directors, notice of the election be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in Hopkins County.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 1043.059(d), Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, as follows:
(d) Authorizes the board of directors of the district (board) to provide financial inducements, rather than to provide financial inducements, including income subsidies or guarantees and reimbursement of relocation expenses, to a full-time medical intern or physician, rather than resident physician serving in a hospital, who contractually agrees to reside and practice in Hopkins County and provide care and treatment to its needy residents.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 1043.108, Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, as follows:
Sec. 1043.108. New heading: PROPERTY, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. (a) Requires the board to determine the type, number, and location of buildings required to establish and maintain office facilities for health care providers, rather than staff physicians, as necessary to provide adequate health, rather than medical, care services.
(b) Authorizes the board to acquire property, including equipment, and construct facilities for the district for use by health care providers, rather than staff physicians, and mortgage or pledge the property or facilities as security for the payment of the purchase or construction price.
(c) Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 1043.152(c), Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, to entitle any district resident, rather than district taxpayer, to appear at the time and place designated in the notice and be heard regarding any item included in the proposed budget.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 1043.154(b), Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, to require that the audit, not later than December 31 each year, be filed at the district office, rather than with the comptroller of public accounts and at the district office.
SECTION 6. Repealer: Section 1043.059(e) (relating to the board offering financial inducements only to attract qualified physicians who possess medical expertise that is not available in the county), Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009.
SECTION 7. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.