H.B. No. 2559 AN ACT relating to leases and other agreements relating to real property entered into by certain hospital districts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 281.050(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) Notwithstanding any other law, the board may, with the approval of the commissioners court, enter into a lease, including a lease with an option to purchase, an installment purchase agreement, an installment sale agreement, or any other type of agreement that relates to real property considered appropriate by the board [undeveloped real property for not more than 50 years] to provide for the development, improvement, acquisition, or management of developed or undeveloped real property [and construction of facilities] designed to generate revenue for the financial benefit of the district. The board, directly or through a nonprofit corporation, may contract or enter into a joint venture with a public or private entity as necessary to enter into an agreement [a lease] under this subsection. SECTION 2. Section 281.0511, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) Notwithstanding any other law, the board may, with the approval of the commissioners court at a meeting subject to Chapter 551, Government Code, lease undeveloped or vacant real property for not more than 99 years to provide for the development and construction of facilities designed to generate revenue for the financial benefit of the district. The board, directly or through a nonprofit corporation, may contract or enter into a joint venture with a public or private entity as necessary to enter into a lease under this subsection. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2559 was passed by the House on April 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2559 was passed by the Senate on May 13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor