HBA-SEB S.B. 1749 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill Analysis S.B. 1749
By: Jackson
Pensions and Investments
4/30/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a member of the governing body of a community or junior
college who has rendered at least 10 continuous years of service and who is
at least 55 years of age does not have the option to continue health
benefits.  S.B. 1749 amends Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code, to give such a
person that option.  This bill provides that the contributions must be paid
from funds under the control of the institution and/or from the personal
funds of the former member.  This bill also prohibits the state from paying
the contributions. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 3(a)(5), Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code (Texas
Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act), to include in the
definition of  "employee" a member of the governing body of a
community/junior college who rendered at least 10 continuous years of
service and who is at least 55 years of age. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 15(b), Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code (Texas
Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act) to require the necessary
contributions to be paid from funds under the control of a public
community/ junior college or from the personal funds of a former member of
the governing body of the institution in the event that the institution
elects to continue the health benefits of the former member who rendered at
least 10 continuous years of service and is at least 55 years of age.
Prohibits the state from paying the required contributions.     

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.  

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.