Relating to the adoption and amendment of an annual budget by certain emergency services districts.

89(R) HB 2437 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

By: Rosenthal

H.B. No. 2437

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the adoption and amendment of an annual budget by

certain emergency services districts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 775, Health and Safety

Code, is amended by adding Section 775.079 to read as follows:

Sec.

775.079.

ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF ANNUAL BUDGET IN

CERTAIN DISTRICTS. (a) This section applies only to a district

located wholly in a county with a population of more than three

million.

(b)

The board shall prepare and adopt the district's annual

budget in the manner provided by this section.

(c)

The board, after notice, shall hold an open meeting to

consider the proposed budget for the following fiscal year.

Adoption of the budget may occur at the same meeting at which the

board takes final action to set the tax rate if the board complies

with Section 775.074(d-1).

(d)

At least 72 hours before holding a meeting to adopt a

proposed budget for the following fiscal year, the board shall post

the proposed budget on the district's Internet website in the same

location on the website that a proposed tax rate to be adopted is

posted.

(e)

After the board adopts the budget, the board may not

amend the budget except as provided by Subsections (f) and (g).

(f)

The board, after notice, may amend the budget after its

initial adoption only at an open meeting. The board shall:

(1)

not later than 72 hours before the meeting, post

the proposed amendment on the district's Internet website in the

same location on the website that a proposed tax rate to be adopted

is posted; and

(2) include in the notice of the meeting:

(A)

the following statement: "The Board of the

(name of county) Emergency Services District No.

(district number)

will consider an amendment to the district's adopted budget. The

public is encouraged to review the proposed amendment to the budget

posted on the district's website and to attend the meeting to offer

comments regarding the proposed amendment. (district Internet

website address)"; and

(B) the following agenda items:

(i)

"Public comment on the proposed

amendment to the budget"; and

(ii)

"Action to adopt or reject the

proposed amendment to the budget".

(g)

After allowing comments from the public regarding the

proposed amendment, the board may amend the budget only if three or

more members of the board vote in favor of adopting the proposed

amendment.

(h)

The board shall give notice of a meeting held under this

section in the manner provided by Chapter 551, Government Code, and

this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.