BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4139

By: Homer

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Hopkins County Hospital District was created by Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961, and has served county health needs since that time.  In the intervening years, the nature of rural health care has evolved necessitating changes in the district's enabling law.  Changes are also needed to conform to amendments made to other laws that govern some of the district's operations.

H.B. 4139 makes changes to conform to the Election Code to require that audits be filed at the district office and to allow any district resident to be heard at budget hearings.  The bill also allows the district to provide benefits and facilities for a broader pool of professionals recruited by the district.

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

H.B. 4139 amends the Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009, to require notice of an election of directors of the Hopkins County Hospital District to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district in accordance with methods provided under the Election Code, rather than requiring publication one time at least 10 days before the date of an election in a newspaper in Hopkins County.

H.B. 4139 authorizes the board of directors 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. 

H.B. 4139 entitles any district resident, rather than taxpayer, 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 repeals Section 1043.059(e), Special District Local Laws Code, as effective April 1, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.