BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 849

By: Blanco

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2019, legislation was passed that allowed the El Paso County Hospital District to temporarily establish a health care provider participation program. Without legislative action, the program will expire on December 31, 2023. S.B. 849 seeks to address this issue by postponing the program's expiration until December 31, 2027.

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

S.B. 849 amends the Health and Safety Code to postpone from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2027, the expiration of the authority of the El Paso County Hospital District to administer and operate a health care provider participation program and the expiration of related statutory provisions. The bill authorizes the district to impose and collect interest and penalties on delinquent mandatory payments assessed under the program in any amount that does not exceed the maximum amount authorized for other delinquent payments owed to the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.