Texas House Bill HB118

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08
• Out of House Committee: 4/3/09
• Voted on by House: 4/15/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/22/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/27/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/29/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the grounds for removal of a member of the board of directors of the Lynn County Hospital District.

Impact

The passage of HB 118 is expected to strengthen the accountability of board members by formalizing the absence and tax compliance criteria for removal. By specifying these conditions, the bill aims to promote active participation in hospital board meetings, thereby ensuring that decisions made by the board are reflective of engaged leadership. This legislative change is particularly significant for the governance of local health districts, as it emphasizes the importance of attendance and fiscal responsibility among directors.

Summary

House Bill 118 focuses on the grounds for removing members from the board of directors of the Lynn County Hospital District. The bill amends existing regulations to clarify the conditions under which a director may be removed from their position. Specifically, it states that a member can be removed if they are absent from more than half of the scheduled meetings within a year without an excused absence. Furthermore, it establishes that failure to timely pay any federal, state, or local tax can also be grounds for removal.

Contention

While the bill seems straightforward, it could raise issues regarding the subjective nature of what constitutes an 'excused absence,' as this will require majority approval from the board. There may be concerns about how board members define and agree upon acceptable reasons for absences, which could lead to disputes. Additionally, imposing a tax compliance requirement may be contentious if it disproportionately affects members who may be facing financial difficulties, raising questions about fair representation on the board.