BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2476

By: Guerra

County Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point out that recently enacted legislation helps the counties of Hidalgo, Cameron, and Webb draw down federal dollars to fund initiatives to improve quality and access to health care. The parties express concern that a health care funding district created under the legislation will be abolished unless legislation is passed to repeal the sunset provision for such a district. C.S.H.B. 2476 seeks to address this concern and continue an initiative that has proven successful in helping local hospitals acquire additional funds without increasing property taxes or patient costs or utilizing any state general revenue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 2476 repeals Section 288.0032, Health and Safety Code, providing for the expiration of statutory provisions governing health care funding districts in certain counties located on the Texas-Mexico border and the abolishment of such districts on December 31, 2016.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2476 differs from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.