Texas House Bill HB2755

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to certain county and public health district fees.

Impact

If enacted, HB2755 would impact the way counties and public health districts compute and implement fees related to public health permits. By capping fees to cost recovery, the bill attempts to ensure that the charges are fair and directly correlated to actual administrative expenses. This is expected to help prevent excessive fee structures that could burden local businesses while ensuring health districts have the necessary funds to maintain public safety and regulatory compliance.

Summary

House Bill 2755 seeks to amend the Health and Safety Code of Texas to establish clearer regulations regarding fees charged by counties and public health districts for permits. The bill specifies that these fees should not exceed the necessary costs for issuing, renewing, and inspects permits. It introduces a mandate for counties and health districts to create a fee schedule that accurately reflects operational costs, aiming to make the process more transparent and standardized across regions.

Sentiment

The sentiment regarding HB2755 appears to be generally supportive among lawmakers, particularly those focused on fiscal responsibility and transparency in government operations. Many agree that allowing local health districts to charge fees based on actual costs is a reasonable approach towards funding public health needs. However, there are some concerns about the practicality of implementing and revising fee schedules effectively, as well as ensuring that fees remain accessible for smaller communities.

Contention

While the bill is largely considered a step towards more equitable fee structuring, there are points of contention regarding the potential financial implications for smaller counties. Critics argue that mandated fee schedules could accidentally introduce challenges for counties that may not have the administrative resources to effectively track and adjust fees. This could lead to unequal access or strained budgets in regions that rely heavily on public health funding.