BILL ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 147

By: Guerra

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Constitution has been amended in the past to authorize the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.  However, the provision limits the ability of the county to form a hospital tax district by setting the maximum tax rate for the district at a rate far less than that of other counties in Texas and the parties note that this prevents a hospital district from being created in a manner similar to other counties in Texas.

H.J.R. 147 seeks to eliminate this limitation by repealing the constitutional provision authorizing the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 147 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to repeal Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, relating to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013.