HBA-NLM H.B. 1854 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1854 By: Thompson County Affairs 4/16/1999 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is concern that indigent health care services may be inaccessible to some persons due to the lack such services in certain geographic locations and lack of transportation. H.B. 1854 requires the Harris County Hospital District (district) to contract for indigent health care services with at least one hospital located in the district, exempt from federal income tax under certain provisions and amendments in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and substantially devoted to providing hospital services to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in the geographical area of the district. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 281, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 281.0514, as follows: Sec. 281.0514. HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT; CONTRACT WITH CERTAIN HOSPITALS. Requires the Harris County Hospital District (district) to contract for indigent health care services with at least one hospital located in the district, exempt from federal income tax under certain provisions and amendments in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and substantially devoted to providing hospital services to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in the geographical area of the district. Provides that a contract under this section is subject to Section 281.051(a) (Contracting Authority). SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Amendment # 1 Amends H.B. 1854 in SECTION 1 (Section 281.0514, Health and Safety Code) to authorize, rather than require, the Harris County Hospital District (district) to contract for indigent health care services with at least one hospital located in the district, exempt from federal income tax under certain provisions and amendments in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and substantially devoted to providing hospital services to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in the geographical area of the district.