HB2437 - Relating to the adoption and amendment of an annual budget by certain emergency services districts.

      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.