SRC-JRN S.B. 1207 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1207 By: Barrientos State Affairs 5-13-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the surviving spouse and the surviving dependent children of a deceased state employee may elect to continue insurance coverage that the deceased employee retained for them prior to death. The survivors' contributions to the employee plans are subtracted from the survivors' benefits provided by the retirement plan. This bill requires at least 50 percent of the required contribution to the insurance plans for survivors to be paid by the state. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1207 requires at least 50 percent of the required contribution to the insurance plans for survivors to be paid by the state. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 19(b), Article 3.50-2, V.T.C.S., to require the state to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of the required contributions for a deceased retiree's surviving spouse or other surviving dependent who elects to retain coverage under this subsection. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.