BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2504
85R13104 JXC-D	By: Hernandez; Coleman (Garcia)
	Intergovernmental Relations
	5/5/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Emergency services districts (ESD) provide necessary fire and emergency medical services to unincorporated areas of the state. There are 30 ESDs within Harris County alone and approximately 250 statewide. ESDs were created by the legislature in 1987 by S.B. 669, and 10 years later, in 1997, ESD commissioners were permitted compensation in the amount of $50 per day, up to a maximum of $3,000 per year. There has been no increase in fees in the past 20 years even though demand for, and responsibilities of, ESD commissioners have increased significantly over the past 20 years due to population growth in the unincorporated areas of many of the state's most populous counties. In comparison, water district directors have received compensation increases since 1995 from $50 per day to $150 per day currently.

Supporters:

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 6, Harris County Emergency Services No. 12, and Harris County Emergency Services District No. 50.

H.B. 2504 amends current law relating to the compensation provided to the governing body of certain special districts.

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 775.038, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), to provide that a commissioner of a district is entitled to receive compensation in the same manner and amount as are provided by Section 49.060 (Fees of Office; Reimbursement), Water Code.

SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 775.038 (a) (relating to providing that an emergency services commissioner is entitled to compensation of a certain amount for the duties performed that day), (b) (relating to authorizing that instead of an emergency services commissioner receiving compensation, a commissioner can elect to receive per diem compensation), and (c) (relating to requiring emergency services commissioner to provide a written statement verifying days worked to receive certain compensation), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.