Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB694

Filed

Out of House Committee

5/7/09

Voted on by House

5/18/09

Out of Senate Committee

5/23/09

Voted on by Senate

5/26/09

Governor Action

6/19/09

Bill Becomes Law

Enrolled

5/30/09

Passed

6/19/09

Caption

Relating to Gonzales Healthcare Systems.

Impact

The bill provides significant changes that impact the governance structure of the Gonzales Healthcare Systems. Notably, it allows the healthcare district to employ healthcare providers and formulate a program to provide income and medical benefits to employees injured on the job. This shift may enhance employee support but raises considerations regarding the supervision of medical practice, which is explicitly restricted under Texas laws. Furthermore, the bill stipulates conditions under which the district may secure loans and how to manage construction contracts, which reflects a move towards greater financial autonomy and responsibility.

Summary

House Bill 694 aims to amend the current provisions related to the Gonzales Healthcare Systems and updates various sections of the Special District Local Laws Code. This bill introduces changes including adjusting the term lengths for directors from two-year to four-year periods, and specifies the required notice for elections of directors. These amendments are intended to enhance the governance and operational efficiency of the Gonzales Healthcare Systems.

Contention

A notable point of contention within HB 694 involves the provision exempting the district from providing standard workers' compensation benefits. Instead, it allows the district to create its own system for employee benefits. This aspect might face scrutiny, as stakeholders may raise concerns about the adequacy of benefits compared to traditional workers' compensation systems. Moreover, the changes to the election process for board members raise questions about transparency and accountability in the management of public health resources.

Companion Bills

TX SB606

Identical Relating to Gonzales Healthcare Systems; authorizing a tax.

Previously Filed As

TX HB3002

Relating to the authority of certain political subdivisions to issue certificates of obligation.

TX SB40

Relating to the public school finance system.

TX SB37

Relating to the public school finance system.

TX HB5282

Relating to the creation of the Dallas Municipal Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and fees.

TX HB2449

Relating to the creation of the Dallas Municipal Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments and fees.

TX HB5375

Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Management District No. 2; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX SB2611

Relating to the creation of the Northeast Houston Redevelopment District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments or fees.

TX HB5359

Relating to the creation of the Williamson County Development District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

TX SB57

Relating to the use of average enrollment for purposes of the public school finance system.

TX SB14