2000 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 547, As Amended – Nonprofit hospitals, sales/conversn

HOUSE BILL NO. 547, As Amended

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Daily Data Tracking History



H0547aa.........................................................by BUSINESS
HOSPITALS - Adds to existing law to clarify the charitable trust
supervisory powers of the Idaho Attorney General in the area of nonprofit
hospital transactions and conversions.
                                                                        
02/10    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/11    Rpt prt - to Bus
03/24    Rpt out - to Gen Ord
03/27    Rpt out amen - to engros
03/28    Rpt engros - rules susp - PASSED - 70-0-0
      AYES -- Alltus, Barraclough, Barrett, Bell, Bieter, Black, Boe,
      Bruneel, Callister, Campbell, Chase, Clark, Crow, Cuddy, Deal,
      Denney, Ellsworth, Field(13), Field(20), Gagner, Geddes, Gould,
      Hadley, Hammond, Hansen(23), Hansen(29), Henbest, Hornbeck, Jaquet,
      Jones, Judd, Kellogg, Kempton, Kendell, Kunz, Lake, Linford,
      Loertscher, Mader, Marley, McKague, Meyer, Montgomery, Mortensen,
      Moyle, Pearce, Pischner, Pomeroy, Reynolds, Ridinger, Ringo, Robison,
      Sali, Schaefer, Sellman, Shepherd, Smith, Smylie, Stevenson,
      Stoicheff, Stone, Taylor, Tilman, Tippets, Trail, Wheeler, Wood,
      Zimmermann, Mr. Speaker
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- None
    Floor Sponsors - Callister, Henbest, Kunz
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/29    Senate intro - 1st rdg as amen - to St Aff
03/30    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg as amen
    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg as amen
04/04    3rd rdg as amen - PASSED - 35-0-0
      AYES -- Andreason, Boatright, Bunderson, Burtenshaw, Cameron, Crow,
      Danielson, Darrington, Davis, Deide, Dunklin, Frasure, Geddes,
      Hawkins, Ingram, Ipsen, Keough, King-Barrutia, Lee, McLaughlin, Noh,
      Parry, Richardson, Riggs, Risch, Sandy, Schroeder, Sorensen, Stegner,
      Stennett, Thorne, Walton, Wheeler, Whitworth, Williams
      NAYS -- None
      Absent and excused -- None
    Floor Sponsor - Sorensen
    Title apvd - to House
04/05    To enrol - rpt enrol - Sp signed - Pres signed
04/06    To Governor
04/14    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 314
         Effective: 07/01/00

Bill Text


 H0547
                                                                        
                                                                        
  ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
 Fifty-fifth Legislature                  Second Regular Session - 2000
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                               HOUSE BILL NO. 547, As Amended
                                                                        
                                   BY BUSINESS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO NONPROFIT HOSPITAL SALES AND CONVERSIONS; AMENDING TITLE 48, IDAHO
  3        CODE, BY THE  ADDITION OF A NEW CHAPTER 15, TITLE 48, IDAHO CODE, TO  PRO-
  4        VIDE  A  STATEMENT  OF LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT, TO PROVIDE DEFINI-
  5        TIONS, TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO PROVIDE FOR  ATTORNEY
  6        GENERAL  REVIEW  AND  TIME PERIODS, TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS, NOTICE
  7        AND TIME, TO PROVIDE NONPROFIT HOSPITAL CONVERSION TRANSACTION REVIEW ELE-
  8        MENTS, TO PROVIDE FOR RULEMAKING AND CONSEQUENCES OF  REFUSAL  TO  PROVIDE
  9        INFORMATION, TO PROVIDE FOR CONTRACTS WITH AGENCIES AND CONSULTANTS, REIM-
 10        BURSEMENTS  FOR  COSTS  AND  EXPENSES  OF  REVIEW,  TO  PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC
 11        RECORDS, TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES AND REMEDIES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE  PROHI-
 12        BITION OF ANY PRIVATE BENEFIT FROM THE ACQUISITION OF A NONPROFIT HOSPITAL
 13        AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE ACT.
                                                                        
 14    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 15        SECTION  1.  That Title 48, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended
 16    by the addition thereto of a NEW CHAPTER, to be known and  designated as Chap-
 17    ter 15, Title 48, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:
                                                                        
 18                                      CHAPTER 15
 19                   IDAHO NONPROFIT HOSPITAL SALE OR CONVERSION ACT
                                                                        
 20        48-1501.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT. (1)  Nonprofit  hospitals  hold
 21    assets  in charitable trust, and are dedicated to the specific charitable pur-
 22    poses set forth in the articles of incorporation of the nonprofit corporations
 23    or governing papers of the nonprofit entities operating such  hospitals.  Non-
 24    profit  hospitals have a substantial and beneficial effect on the provision of
 25    health care to the people of Idaho, providing as part of their charitable mis-
 26    sion free or low-cost health care.
 27        (2)  The attorney general is entrusted by law to bring actions  on  behalf
 28    of  the  public  in the event of a breach of the charitable trust, pursuant to
 29    section 67-1401, Idaho Code.
 30        (3)  This act shall be cited as the "Nonprofit Hospital Sale or Conversion
 31    Act."
                                                                        
 32        48-1502.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this act:
 33        (1)  "Hospital" means a place devoted primarily  to  the  maintenance  and
 34    operation of facilities for the diagnosis, treatment or care for not less than
 35    twenty-four  (24)  hours in any week of two (2) or more nonrelated individuals
 36    suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity, or requiring care  because
 37    of  old  age,  or  a  place  devoted primarily to providing, for not less than
 38    twenty-four (24) hours in any week, of obstetrical or other medical or nursing
 39    care for two (2) or more nonrelated individuals.
 40        (2)  "Nonprofit hospital" means any hospital, including hospitals owned by
 41    corporations, that is organized as a nonprofit concern, however structured  or
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    created.  The  term  also includes entities owned, governed or controlled by a
  2    nonprofit hospital.  The term does not include hospitals which are operated by
  3    a governmental unit.
  4        (3)  "Nonprofit hospital conversion transaction" means:
  5        (a)  The sale, transfer, lease, exchange, optioning, or conveyance of  the
  6        lesser  of  thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) or forty percent (40%) of
  7        the assets of a nonprofit hospital to an entity or  person  other  than  a
  8        nonprofit entity or an entity controlled by the nonprofit hospital; or
  9        (b)  The transfer of control or governance of the lesser of thirty million
 10        dollars  ($30,000,000) or forty percent (40%) of the assets of a nonprofit
 11        hospital to an entity or person other than a nonprofit entity or an entity
 12        controlled by the nonprofit hospital.
 13        (c)  "Nonprofit hospital conversion transaction"  does  not  include  con-
 14        tracts,  in  the  usual course of business, between the nonprofit hospital
 15        and another entity:
 16             (i)   For the provision of services to the nonprofit hospital;
 17             (ii)  For the sale of equipment; or
 18             (iii) For the leasing of space.
 19        (d)  Beginning on July 1, 2001, and each July 1 thereafter,  the  sums  of
 20        thirty  million dollars ($30,000,000) referenced in subsections (3)(a) and
 21        (3)(b) of this section, shall increase or decrease in accordance with  the
 22        percentage  amount  change  in the hospital services component of the con-
 23        sumer price index as published by the bureau of labor  statistics  of  the
 24        United States department of labor.
 25        (4)  "Person"  means  any individual, partnership, trust, estate, corpora-
 26    tion, association, joint venture, joint stock company,  insurance  company  or
 27    other organization.
 28        (5)  "Charitable  trust  interest"  shall  mean those factors specifically
 29    listed in section 48-1506, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 30        48-1503.  NOTICE TO THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL.  (1)  Any  nonprofit  hospital
 31    shall  be  required to provide written notice to the attorney general prior to
 32    entering into any nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 33        (2)  In addition to identifying the parties to the nonprofit hospital con-
 34    version transaction and the general terms of the transaction,  the  notice  to
 35    the  attorney  general  provided for in this section shall include and contain
 36    relevant information related to  the  review  factors  set  forth  in  section
 37    48-1506, Idaho Code.
 38        (3)  This  chapter shall not apply to a nonprofit hospital if the attorney
 39    general has given the nonprofit hospital a written waiver of this  chapter  as
 40    to the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
                                                                        
 41        48-1504.  ATTORNEY  GENERAL REVIEW AND WRITTEN OPINION  -- TIME PERIODS --
 42    EXTENSION -- DISTRICT COURT  REVIEW.  (1)  No  nonprofit  hospital  conversion
 43    transaction may close or be consummated until the time periods, as provided in
 44    this section, have expired.
 45        (2)  Within ninety (90) days of receipt of a written notice as required by
 46    section  48-1503,  Idaho  Code, the attorney general shall review the proposed
 47    nonprofit hospital conversion transaction and notify the nonprofit hospital in
 48    writing of his opinion. The attorney general shall review the nonprofit hospi-
 49    tal conversion transaction to determine if  it  is  in  the  charitable  trust
 50    interest. In making his determination, the attorney general shall be guided by
 51    the  factors set forth in section 48-1506, Idaho Code. Upon application by the
 52    attorney general, the district court may extend this period for an  additional
 53    sixty (60) day period, provided the extension is necessary to obtain necessary
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    and  relevant  information pursuant to section 48-1507(2) or 48-1508(1), Idaho
  2    Code.
  3        (3)  If the attorney general, in his written opinion, opposes the proposed
  4    nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, the parties to the transaction  may
  5    not  close  or  consummate  the  transaction  for fourteen (14) days after the
  6    attorney general's opinion has been issued to allow the attorney  general,  in
  7    his discretion, to file suit seeking to block the transaction.
  8        (4)  If  the  attorney  general  files a lawsuit seeking to block the non-
  9    profit hospital conversion transaction, the district court  shall  review,  de
 10    novo,  the transaction to determine if it is in the charitable trust interest.
 11    In making this determination, the district court shall  use  the  factors  set
 12    forth  in section 48-1506, Idaho Code. Neither a positive nor a negative find-
 13    ing with regard to one (1) or more of the factors listed in  section  48-1506,
 14    Idaho  Code,  shall  necessarily  mean  that the nonprofit hospital conversion
 15    transaction is or is not in the charitable trust interest.
                                                                        
 16        48-1505.  PUBLIC MEETINGS -- NOTICE OF TIME AND PLACE. (1)  Prior to issu-
 17    ing any written opinion pursuant to section 48-1504, Idaho Code, the  attorney
 18    general  may  conduct  one  (1)  or more public meetings, one (1) of which, if
 19    held, shall be held in the county where the nonprofit hospital's assets to  be
 20    transferred are located.
 21        (2)  If  a party to the intended nonprofit hospital conversion transaction
 22    requests the hearing be conducted by a hearing officer  outside  the  attorney
 23    general's  office,  a  hearing officer, mutually agreed upon by the parties to
 24    the conversion transaction and the attorney general, shall be selected.
 25        (3)  At the public meeting, the attorney general or hearing officer  shall
 26    hear  comments  from  interested persons desiring to make statements regarding
 27    the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 28        (4)  The attorney general shall cause timely written notice to be provided
 29    regarding the time and place of the meeting through publication in one (1)  or
 30    more  newspapers  of  general  circulation  in  the affected community, to the
 31    county board of supervisors, and if applicable, to the  city  council  of  the
 32    city where the nonprofit hospital's assets to be transferred are located.
 33        (5)  If  a  hearing officer is used, the parties to the nonprofit hospital
 34    conversion transaction shall pay the costs of the hearing officer.
                                                                        
 35        48-1506.  NONPROFIT HOSPITAL CONVERSION TRANSACTION  REVIEW  ELEMENTS.  In
 36    reviewing  a  proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, the attorney
 37    general (and the district court as necessary and applicable), shall consider:
 38        (1)  Whether the nonprofit hospital will receive fair market value for its
 39    charitable trust assets;
 40        (2)  Whether the fair market value of the nonprofit hospital's  assets  to
 41    be    transferred  has been affected by the actions of the parties in a manner
 42    that improperly causes the fair market value of the assets to decrease;
 43        (3)  Whether the proceeds of the proposed  nonprofit  hospital  conversion
 44    transaction  will be used consistent with the trust under which the assets are
 45    held by the nonprofit hospital and whether the proceeds will be controlled  as
 46    funds independently of the acquiring or related entities;
 47        (4)  Whether  the  governing  body of the nonprofit hospital exercised due
 48    diligence in deciding to dispose of the nonprofit hospital's assets, selecting
 49    the acquiring entity, and negotiating the terms and conditions of the disposi-
 50    tion;
 51        (5)  Whether the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction will result  in
 52    improper  private  inurement  to  any  person as set forth in section 48-1511,
 53    Idaho Code; and
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1        (6)  Whether the terms of any management or services  contract  negotiated
  2    in conjunction with the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction are
  3    reasonable.
                                                                        
  4        48-1507.  RULES  --  AUTHORITY TO ADOPT -- INFORMATION  REQUESTS -- CONSE-
  5    QUENCES OF REFUSAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. (1)  The attorney general may adopt
  6    such rules, pursuant to chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, as the attorney gen-
  7    eral deems appropriate or necessary to implement this chapter.
  8        (2)  The attorney general may request that the nonprofit  hospital  giving
  9    notice under section 48-1503, Idaho Code, in addition to providing information
 10    related  to  the review factors set forth in section 48-1506, Idaho Code, pro-
 11    vide other information which the attorney general reasonably  deems  necessary
 12    and relevant to review the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 13        (3)  If  the  nonprofit  hospital  declines  to  provide  the  information
 14    requested  by  the  attorney  general  in  subsection (2) of this section, the
 15    attorney general may apply to the court for an order requiring the  disclosure
 16    of  the information, which shall be granted if found to be necessary and rele-
 17    vant.
                                                                        
 18        48-1508.  CONTRACTS WITH AGENCIES AND  CONSULTANTS  --  REIMBURSEMENT  FOR
 19    COSTS  AND  EXPENSES OF REVIEW -- FAILURE TO PAY. (1)  Within the time periods
 20    designated in section 48-1504, Idaho Code, the attorney general may do any  of
 21    the  following to assist in the review of the proposed nonprofit hospital con-
 22    version transaction described in section 48-1503, Idaho Code:
 23        (a)  Contract with, consult, and receive advice from  any  agency  of  the
 24        state  or the United States on such terms and conditions the attorney gen-
 25        eral deems appropriate; or
 26        (b)  In the attorney general's sole discretion, contract with such experts
 27        or consultants the attorney general deems appropriate to assist the attor-
 28        ney general in reviewing the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion trans-
 29        action.
 30        (2)  Any costs incurred by the attorney general pursuant to  this  section
 31    shall  not  exceed  an  amount that is reasonable and necessary to conduct the
 32    review of the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.  The  attor-
 33    ney  general  shall be exempt from the provisions of any applicable state laws
 34    regarding public bidding procedures for purposes of  entering  into  contracts
 35    pursuant to this section.
 36        (3)  The  attorney general, after reviewing the nonprofit hospital conver-
 37    sion transaction, may submit a claim to the board of examiners for  reimburse-
 38    ment  of  his reasonable costs and expenses incurred in reviewing the transac-
 39    tion.  Upon submission of a claim from the  attorney  general,  the  board  of
 40    examiners may authorize the issuance of deficiency warrants for the purpose of
 41    reimbursing  the  attorney  general  reasonable  and  actual  costs,  but  not
 42    attorney's  fees,  associated  with  actions  taken  pursuant to this chapter.
 43    Deficiency warrants authorized by the board of examiners  under  this  section
 44    shall  not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for reimbursement of
 45    all claims as a result of the attorney general's review of a transaction under
 46    this chapter. Upon authorization of deficiency warrants by the board of  exam-
 47    iners  in accordance with the provisions of this section, the state controller
 48    shall, after notice to the state treasurer, draw deficiency  warrants  in  the
 49    authorized amounts against the general account.
                                                                        
 50        48-1509.  PUBLIC  RECORDS. All documents submitted to the attorney general
 51    by any person, including nonprofit hospital entities giving notice under  sec-
 52    tion  48-1503, Idaho Code, in connection with the attorney general's review of
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1    the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction pursuant to this  chap-
  2    ter  shall be deemed records contained in court files of judicial proceedings,
  3    as provided for in section 9-340A(2), Idaho Code, and shall only be subject to
  4    public disclosure, pursuant to a public document request, in the  same  manner
  5    as set forth in that section.
                                                                        
  6        48-1510.  PENALTIES -- REMEDIES. (1)  In his discretion, the attorney gen-
  7    eral may apply to the district court for an order voiding any nonprofit hospi-
  8    tal conversion transaction entered into in violation of the notice and disclo-
  9    sure  requirements  of section 48-1503(1), Idaho Code. Each member of the gov-
 10    erning boards and the chief executive officers of the parties to the nonprofit
 11    hospital conversion transaction may be subject to a civil penalty of up to ten
 12    thousand dollars ($10,000) for knowingly failing to notify the  attorney  gen-
 13    eral  of  the  nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, or for violating the
 14    provisions of section 48-1511, Idaho Code, as applicable.  The amount  of  any
 15    civil penalty shall be determined by the district court in the county in which
 16    the  nonprofit  hospital's assets to be transferred are located.  No such pen-
 17    alty may be imposed under this section merely  because  the  attorney  general
 18    files  suit  under  section 48-1504, Idaho Code, or because the district court
 19    enters an order that the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction at issue is
 20    not in the charitable trust interest. The  attorney  general  shall  institute
 21    proceedings to impose such a penalty.
 22        (2)  Nothing  in  this  chapter shall be construed to limit the common law
 23    authority of the attorney general regarding charitable trusts  and  charitable
 24    assets  in this state.  The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and
 25    not a replacement for, any other actions which the attorney general  may  take
 26    under  either  the  common law or statutory law, including rescinding the non-
 27    profit hospital conversion transaction, granting injunctive relief or any com-
 28    bination of these and other remedies available under common law  or  statutory
 29    law.
                                                                        
 30        48-1511.  PRIVATE  BENEFIT.  No  person who is an officer, director, board
 31    member or other fiduciary of a nonprofit hospital shall  receive  anything  of
 32    value, beyond ordinary compensation, that relates to a nonprofit hospital con-
 33    version  transaction  described  in  this act and is of such a character as to
 34    have the appearance of an improper influence on the person with respect to the
 35    person's duties; provided however, that an officer or  employee  of  the  non-
 36    profit  hospital  may accept a job with, perform duties for, and receive ordi-
 37    nary compensation from, the purchasing or converting entity.  Any  person  who
 38    violates the provisions of this section shall, in addition to being subject to
 39    the  provisions  of  section  48-1510,  Idaho Code, forfeit the items of value
 40    received in violation of this section.
                                                                        
 41        48-1512.  APPLICATION OF ACT. This act applies to  all  acquisitions,  the
 42    consummation of which occurs after the effective date of this act.

Amendment


 AH0547
                                                                        
                                                                        
  ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
 Fifty-fifth Legislature                  Second Regular Session - 2000
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                     Moved by    Callister           
                                                                        
                                                     Seconded by Henbest             
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                              HOUSE AMENDMENT TO H.B. NO. 547
                                                                        
  1                                AMENDMENT TO THE BILL
  2        On page 1 of the printed bill, delete lines 22 through 41, delete pages 2,
  3    3, 4, 5 and 6 and insert:
  4        "48-1501.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT. (1)  Nonprofit hospitals  hold
  5    assets  in charitable trust, and are dedicated to the specific charitable pur-
  6    poses set forth in the articles of incorporation of the nonprofit corporations
  7    or governing papers of the nonprofit entities operating such  hospitals.  Non-
  8    profit  hospitals have a substantial and beneficial effect on the provision of
  9    health care to the people of Idaho, providing as part of their charitable mis-
 10    sion free or low-cost health care.
 11        (2)  The attorney general is entrusted by law to bring actions  on  behalf
 12    of  the  public  in the event of a breach of the charitable trust, pursuant to
 13    section 67-1401, Idaho Code.
 14        (3)  This act shall be cited as the "Nonprofit Hospital Sale or Conversion
 15    Act."
                                                                        
 16        48-1502.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this act:
 17        (1)  "Hospital" means a place devoted primarily  to  the  maintenance  and
 18    operation of facilities for the diagnosis, treatment or care for not less than
 19    twenty-four  (24)  hours in any week of two (2) or more nonrelated individuals
 20    suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity, or requiring care  because
 21    of  old  age,  or  a  place  devoted primarily to providing, for not less than
 22    twenty-four (24) hours in any week, of obstetrical or other medical or nursing
 23    care for two (2) or more nonrelated individuals.
 24        (2)  "Nonprofit hospital" means any hospital, including hospitals owned by
 25    corporations, that is organized as a nonprofit concern, however structured  or
 26    created.  The  term  also includes entities owned, governed or controlled by a
 27    nonprofit hospital.  The term does not include hospitals which are operated by
 28    a governmental unit.
 29        (3)  "Nonprofit hospital conversion transaction" means:
 30        (a)  The sale, transfer, lease, exchange, optioning, or conveyance of  the
 31        lesser  of  thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) or forty percent (40%) of
 32        the assets of a nonprofit hospital to an entity or  person  other  than  a
 33        nonprofit entity or an entity controlled by the nonprofit hospital; or
 34        (b)  The transfer of control or governance of the lesser of thirty million
 35        dollars  ($30,000,000) or forty percent (40%) of the assets of a nonprofit
 36        hospital to an entity or person other than a nonprofit entity or an entity
 37        controlled by the nonprofit hospital.
 38        (c)  "Nonprofit hospital conversion transaction"  does  not  include  con-
 39        tracts,  in  the  usual course of business, between the nonprofit hospital
 40        and another entity:
 41             (i)   For the provision of services to the nonprofit hospital;
 42             (ii)  For the sale of equipment; or
 43             (iii) For the leasing of space.
                                                                        
                                          2
                                                                        
  1        (d)  Beginning on July 1, 2001, and each July 1 thereafter,  the  sums  of
  2        thirty  million dollars ($30,000,000) referenced in subsections (3)(a) and
  3        (3)(b) of this section, shall increase or decrease in accordance with  the
  4        percentage  amount  change  in the hospital services component of the con-
  5        sumer price index as published by the bureau of labor  statistics  of  the
  6        United States department of labor.
  7        (4)  "Person"  means  any individual, partnership, trust, estate, corpora-
  8    tion, association, joint venture, joint stock company,  insurance  company  or
  9    other organization.
 10        (5)  "Charitable  trust  interest"  shall  mean those factors specifically
 11    listed in section 48-1506, Idaho Code.
                                                                        
 12        48-1503.  NOTICE TO THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL.  (1)  Any  nonprofit  hospital
 13    shall  be  required to provide written notice to the attorney general prior to
 14    entering into any nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 15        (2)  In addition to identifying the parties to the nonprofit hospital con-
 16    version transaction and the general terms of the transaction,  the  notice  to
 17    the  attorney  general  provided for in this section shall include and contain
 18    relevant information related to  the  review  factors  set  forth  in  section
 19    48-1506, Idaho Code.
 20        (3)  This  chapter shall not apply to a nonprofit hospital if the attorney
 21    general has given the nonprofit hospital a written waiver of this  chapter  as
 22    to the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
                                                                        
 23        48-1504.  ATTORNEY  GENERAL REVIEW AND WRITTEN OPINION  -- TIME PERIODS --
 24    EXTENSION -- DISTRICT COURT  REVIEW.  (1)  No  nonprofit  hospital  conversion
 25    transaction may close or be consummated until the time periods, as provided in
 26    this section, have expired.
 27        (2)  Within ninety (90) days of receipt of a written notice as required by
 28    section  48-1503,  Idaho  Code, the attorney general shall review the proposed
 29    nonprofit hospital conversion transaction and notify the nonprofit hospital in
 30    writing of his opinion. The attorney general shall review the nonprofit hospi-
 31    tal conversion transaction to determine if  it  is  in  the  charitable  trust
 32    interest. In making his determination, the attorney general shall be guided by
 33    the  factors set forth in section 48-1506, Idaho Code. Upon application by the
 34    attorney general, the district court may extend this period for an  additional
 35    sixty (60) day period, provided the extension is necessary to obtain necessary
 36    and  relevant  information pursuant to section 48-1507(2) or 48-1508(1), Idaho
 37    Code.
 38        (3)  If the attorney general, in his written opinion, opposes the proposed
 39    nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, the parties to the transaction  may
 40    not  close  or  consummate  the  transaction  for fourteen (14) days after the
 41    attorney general's opinion has been issued to allow the attorney  general,  in
 42    his discretion, to file suit seeking to block the transaction.
 43        (4)  If  the  attorney  general  files a lawsuit seeking to block the non-
 44    profit hospital conversion transaction, the district court  shall  review,  de
 45    novo,  the transaction to determine if it is in the charitable trust interest.
 46    In making this determination, the district court shall  use  the  factors  set
 47    forth  in section 48-1506, Idaho Code. Neither a positive nor a negative find-
 48    ing with regard to one (1) or more of the factors listed in  section  48-1506,
 49    Idaho  Code,  shall  necessarily  mean  that the nonprofit hospital conversion
 50    transaction is or is not in the charitable trust interest.
                                                                        
 51        48-1505.  PUBLIC MEETINGS -- NOTICE OF TIME AND PLACE. (1)  Prior to issu-
 52    ing any written opinion pursuant to section 48-1504, Idaho Code, the  attorney
                                                                        
                                          3
                                                                        
  1    general  may  conduct  one  (1)  or more public meetings, one (1) of which, if
  2    held, shall be held in the county where the nonprofit hospital's assets to  be
  3    transferred are located.
  4        (2)  If  a party to the intended nonprofit hospital conversion transaction
  5    requests the hearing be conducted by a hearing officer  outside  the  attorney
  6    general's  office,  a  hearing officer, mutually agreed upon by the parties to
  7    the conversion transaction and the attorney general, shall be selected.
  8        (3)  At the public meeting, the attorney general or hearing officer  shall
  9    hear  comments  from  interested persons desiring to make statements regarding
 10    the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 11        (4)  The attorney general shall cause timely written notice to be provided
 12    regarding the time and place of the meeting through publication in one (1)  or
 13    more  newspapers  of  general  circulation  in  the affected community, to the
 14    county board of supervisors, and if applicable, to the  city  council  of  the
 15    city where the nonprofit hospital's assets to be transferred are located.
 16        (5)  If  a  hearing officer is used, the parties to the nonprofit hospital
 17    conversion transaction shall pay the costs of the hearing officer.
                                                                        
 18        48-1506.  NONPROFIT HOSPITAL CONVERSION TRANSACTION  REVIEW  ELEMENTS.  In
 19    reviewing  a  proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, the attorney
 20    general (and the district court as necessary and applicable), shall consider:
 21        (1)  Whether the nonprofit hospital will receive fair market value for its
 22    charitable trust assets;
 23        (2)  Whether the fair market value of the nonprofit hospital's  assets  to
 24    be    transferred  has been affected by the actions of the parties in a manner
 25    that improperly causes the fair market value of the assets to decrease;
 26        (3)  Whether the proceeds of the proposed  nonprofit  hospital  conversion
 27    transaction  will be used consistent with the trust under which the assets are
 28    held by the nonprofit hospital and whether the proceeds will be controlled  as
 29    funds independently of the acquiring or related entities;
 30        (4)  Whether  the  governing  body of the nonprofit hospital exercised due
 31    diligence in deciding to dispose of the nonprofit hospital's assets, selecting
 32    the acquiring entity, and negotiating the terms and conditions of the disposi-
 33    tion;
 34        (5)  Whether the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction will result  in
 35    improper  private  inurement  to  any  person as set forth in section 48-1511,
 36    Idaho Code; and
 37        (6)  Whether the terms of any management or services  contract  negotiated
 38    in conjunction with the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction are
 39    reasonable.
                                                                        
 40        48-1507.  RULES  --  AUTHORITY TO ADOPT -- INFORMATION  REQUESTS -- CONSE-
 41    QUENCES OF REFUSAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. (1)  The attorney general may adopt
 42    such rules, pursuant to chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, as the attorney gen-
 43    eral deems appropriate or necessary to implement this chapter.
 44        (2)  The attorney general may request that the nonprofit  hospital  giving
 45    notice under section 48-1503, Idaho Code, in addition to providing information
 46    related  to  the review factors set forth in section 48-1506, Idaho Code, pro-
 47    vide other information which the attorney general reasonably  deems  necessary
 48    and relevant to review the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.
 49        (3)  If  the  nonprofit  hospital  declines  to  provide  the  information
 50    requested  by  the  attorney  general  in  subsection (2) of this section, the
 51    attorney general may apply to the court for an order requiring the  disclosure
 52    of  the information, which shall be granted if found to be necessary and rele-
 53    vant.
                                                                        
                                          4
                                                                        
  1        48-1508.  CONTRACTS WITH AGENCIES AND  CONSULTANTS  --  REIMBURSEMENT  FOR
  2    COSTS  AND  EXPENSES OF REVIEW -- FAILURE TO PAY. (1)  Within the time periods
  3    designated in section 48-1504, Idaho Code, the attorney general may do any  of
  4    the  following to assist in the review of the proposed nonprofit hospital con-
  5    version transaction described in section 48-1503, Idaho Code:
  6        (a)  Contract with, consult, and receive advice from  any  agency  of  the
  7        state  or the United States on such terms and conditions the attorney gen-
  8        eral deems appropriate; or
  9        (b)  In the attorney general's sole discretion, contract with such experts
 10        or consultants the attorney general deems appropriate to assist the attor-
 11        ney general in reviewing the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion trans-
 12        action.
 13        (2)  Any costs incurred by the attorney general pursuant to  this  section
 14    shall  not  exceed  an  amount that is reasonable and necessary to conduct the
 15    review of the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction.  The  attor-
 16    ney  general  shall be exempt from the provisions of any applicable state laws
 17    regarding public bidding procedures for purposes of  entering  into  contracts
 18    pursuant to this section.
 19        (3)  The  attorney general, after reviewing the nonprofit hospital conver-
 20    sion transaction, may submit a claim to the board of examiners for  reimburse-
 21    ment  of  his reasonable costs and expenses incurred in reviewing the transac-
 22    tion.  Upon submission of a claim from the  attorney  general,  the  board  of
 23    examiners may authorize the issuance of deficiency warrants for the purpose of
 24    reimbursing  the  attorney  general  reasonable  and  actual  costs,  but  not
 25    attorney's  fees,  associated  with  actions  taken  pursuant to this chapter.
 26    Deficiency warrants authorized by the board of examiners  under  this  section
 27    shall  not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for reimbursement of
 28    all claims as a result of the attorney general's review of a transaction under
 29    this chapter. Upon authorization of deficiency warrants by the board of  exam-
 30    iners  in accordance with the provisions of this section, the state controller
 31    shall, after notice to the state treasurer, draw deficiency  warrants  in  the
 32    authorized amounts against the general account.
                                                                        
 33        48-1509.  PUBLIC  RECORDS. All documents submitted to the attorney general
 34    by any person, including nonprofit hospital entities giving notice under  sec-
 35    tion  48-1503, Idaho Code, in connection with the attorney general's review of
 36    the proposed nonprofit hospital conversion transaction pursuant to this  chap-
 37    ter  shall be deemed records contained in court files of judicial proceedings,
 38    as provided for in section 9-340A(2), Idaho Code, and shall only be subject to
 39    public disclosure, pursuant to a public document request, in the  same  manner
 40    as set forth in that section.
                                                                        
 41        48-1510.  PENALTIES -- REMEDIES. (1)  In his discretion, the attorney gen-
 42    eral may apply to the district court for an order voiding any nonprofit hospi-
 43    tal conversion transaction entered into in violation of the notice and disclo-
 44    sure  requirements  of section 48-1503(1), Idaho Code. Each member of the gov-
 45    erning boards and the chief executive officers of the parties to the nonprofit
 46    hospital conversion transaction may be subject to a civil penalty of up to ten
 47    thousand dollars ($10,000) for knowingly failing to notify the  attorney  gen-
 48    eral  of  the  nonprofit hospital conversion transaction, or for violating the
 49    provisions of section 48-1511, Idaho Code, as applicable.  The amount  of  any
 50    civil penalty shall be determined by the district court in the county in which
 51    the  nonprofit  hospital's assets to be transferred are located.  No such pen-
 52    alty may be imposed under this section merely  because  the  attorney  general
 53    files  suit  under  section 48-1504, Idaho Code, or because the district court
                                                                        
                                          5
                                                                        
  1    enters an order that the nonprofit hospital conversion transaction at issue is
  2    not in the charitable trust interest. The  attorney  general  shall  institute
  3    proceedings to impose such a penalty.
  4        (2)  Nothing  in  this  chapter shall be construed to limit the common law
  5    authority of the attorney general regarding charitable trusts  and  charitable
  6    assets  in this state.  The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and
  7    not a replacement for, any other actions which the attorney general  may  take
  8    under  either  the  common law or statutory law, including rescinding the non-
  9    profit hospital conversion transaction, granting injunctive relief or any com-
 10    bination of these and other remedies available under common law  or  statutory
 11    law.
                                                                        
 12        48-1511.  PRIVATE  BENEFIT.  No  person who is an officer, director, board
 13    member or other fiduciary of a nonprofit hospital shall  receive  anything  of
 14    value, beyond ordinary compensation, that relates to a nonprofit hospital con-
 15    version  transaction  described  in  this act and is of such a character as to
 16    have the appearance of an improper influence on the person with respect to the
 17    person's duties; provided however, that an officer or  employee  of  the  non-
 18    profit  hospital  may accept a job with, perform duties for, and receive ordi-
 19    nary compensation from, the purchasing or converting entity.  Any  person  who
 20    violates the provisions of this section shall, in addition to being subject to
 21    the  provisions  of  section  48-1510,  Idaho Code, forfeit the items of value
 22    received in violation of this section.
                                                                        
 23        48-1512.  APPLICATION OF ACT. This act applies to  all  acquisitions,  the
 24    consummation of which occurs after the effective date of this act.".
                                                                        
 25                                 CORRECTION TO TITLE
 26        On page 1, delete lines 11 through 15 and insert: "RECORDS, TO PROVIDE FOR
 27    PENALTIES  AND REMEDIES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROHIBITION OF ANY PRIVATE BENEFIT
 28    FROM THE ACQUISITION OF A NONPROFIT HOSPITAL AND TO PROVIDE FOR  THE  APPLICA-
 29    TION OF THE ACT.".

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


     
                           
                 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                       RS 09482 
     
          This proposed legislation adds a new chapter to Title 48 of the Idaho
     Code, clarifying the existing charitable trust supervisory powers of the Attorney
     General in the area of nonprofit hospital transactions and conversions. Since
     nonprofit hospitals are historically created by community sacrifice and donation,
     the proposed conversion of such a hospital deserves review and consideration.
     The legislation establishes procedures by which these transactions are to be
     reviewed and evaluated, ensuring that a community's interest in its hospital is
     protected and considered.    The legislation provides for notice of such
     transactions to the Attorney General and items that should be considered in
     reviewing any such transaction.    The legislation also allows the Attorney General
     to hold a public hearing and appear in court. Finally, the legislation also prohibits
     current board members of a nonprofit hospital from receiving anything of value
     that relates to a hospital conversion if it is of such a character to have the
     appearance of an improper influence on the person with respect to that person's
     duties. 
     
     
                     FISCAL NOTE 
     
          This legislation should ensure that charitable trust property will not be
     lost.  Other than potential workloads for the Office of the Attorney' General, there
     should be no fiscal impact upon the general funds of the State. 
     
     Contact:  Brett DeLange, Office of Attorney General
     Phone:    334-4114 
     
     STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL IMPACT                     H 547