RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

C.S.H.J.R. 89

By: Shaheen

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that the state's existing health care programs for the needy struggle to meet demand, consistently experience funding shortfalls, and frustrate medical providers. The parties cite an example in which a Texas resident who was experiencing severe pain waited nearly 24 hours in a county hospital before returning home, only to die later that night, and another example in which a needy patient drove 200 miles for a check-up procedure to avoid the six-month wait at the patient's county clinic. The parties identify the arduous reimbursement process and unattractive reimbursement rates for medical providers as two major reasons why the needy receive inferior health care services, noting that these issues are compounded by constant cost overruns and budget shortfalls. C.S.H.J.R. 89 seeks to address these problems by providing an optional tool for county commissioners to improve health care and reduce costs by engaging the private sector and easing the burden on government-run programs.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution 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 resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.J.R. 89 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the commissioners court of a county by official action to exempt from property taxation by the county a percentage, not to exceed 50 percent, of the assessed value of the residence homestead of a licensed physician who provides health care services for which the physician agrees not to seek payment from any source to county residents who are indigent or who are Medicaid recipients. The resolution establishes that the exemption is in addition to any other residence homestead property tax exemptions and authorizes the legislature by general law to impose additional eligibility requirements for the exemption.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.J.R. 89 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the resolution.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 1-b, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Subsection (r) to read as follows: (r)  The commissioners court of a county by official action may exempt from ad valorem taxation by the county a percentage, not to exceed 50 percent, of the assessed value of the residence homestead of a licensed physician who provides health care services for which the physician agrees not to seek payment from any source, including the Medicaid program or otherwise from this state or the federal government, to indigent residents of the county.  The exemption is in addition to any other exemptions provided by this section.  The legislature by general law may impose additional eligibility requirements for the exemption.	SECTION 1.  Section 1-b, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Subsection (r) to read as follows: (r)  The commissioners court of a county by official action may exempt from ad valorem taxation by the county a percentage, not to exceed 50 percent, of the assessed value of the residence homestead of a licensed physician who provides health care services for which the physician agrees not to seek payment from any source, including the Medicaid program or otherwise from this state or the federal government, to county residents who are indigent or who are Medicaid recipients.  The exemption is in addition to any other exemptions provided by this section.  The legislature by general law may impose additional eligibility requirements for the exemption.
SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county of a portion of the value of the residence homestead of a physician who provides health care services for which the physician agrees not to seek payment from any source, including the Medicaid program or otherwise from this state or the federal government, to indigent residents of the county."	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county of a portion of the value of the residence homestead of a physician who provides health care services for which the physician agrees not to seek payment from any source, including the Medicaid program or otherwise from this state or the federal government, to county residents who are indigent or who are Medicaid recipients."