HBA-MSH S.B. 1564 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1564
By: Duncan
Urban Affairs
5/15/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, funding methods for emergency medical services in the City of
Big Spring are insufficient to support the services.  Senate Bill 1564
authorizes certain cities to assess a fee on water, sewer, gas, or
electrical services to help fund emergency medical services. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1564 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the
governing body of a municipality that has a population of 5,000 or more,
provides services through full-time employees of the emergency medical
services department of the municipality's fire department, is not within a
district that otherwise provides emergency medical services, and is within
a county with a population of less than 60,000 to levy or assess a fee by
ordinance in an amount not to exceed $2 per month to be paid by persons to
whom water, sewer, gas, or electrical services are provided by the
municipality.  The bill requires the fee if imposed to be collected in the
same manner as any other utility payment collected by the municipality.
The bill authorizes the funds collected from such a fee to be used only for
the provision of emergency medical services within the municipality or the
county in which the municipality is located. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.