Bill Caption

Relating to the use of grants under the emergency medical services assistance program and the distribution of certain revenue received by the comptroller.

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board, there would be a negative impact of ($15,032,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.

Bill Analysis

HB 1477 would create the emergency medical services assistance program account as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund, and limit the appropriation of money in the account to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide grants to: (1) emergency medical services (EMS) providers applying for assistance under the program; (2) trauma service area regional advisory councils; (3) provide funding to a general academic teaching institution, medical and dental unit, other agency of higher education, or public technical institute offering the educational curriculum under the EMS program; or (4) EMS personnel applying for assistance under the EMS Scholarship Program.

This bill would require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) by rule to establish the EMS Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to EMS personnel to pay tuition and other applicable for eligible coursework at higher education institutions. 

The Transportation Code would be amended to decrease from 67 percent to 57 percent the portion of the money received by the comptroller from state traffic fines that is to be deposited in the undedicated portion of the general revenue fund, and to require the comptroller to deposit 10 percent of the money received from such fines to the EMS assistance program account.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes HB 1477 because it violates the principle of limited government. It is not the proper role of the state to subsidize the education of prospective healthcare professionals.