By Thompson                                            H.B. No. 401
         76R1266 GJH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to group health insurance for retirees of the Teacher
 1-3     Retirement System of Texas.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 8(g), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           (g)  Each contract shall be based on the terms and conditions
 1-8     agreed on between the trustee and the entity selected to provide
 1-9     the coverage and benefits.  Any contract for group benefits awarded
1-10     by the trustee must:
1-11                 (1)  meet the minimum benefit and financial standards
1-12     adopted by the trustee; and
1-13                 (2)  provide that each class of retirees receives
1-14     similar coverage for similar premiums, including any premiums paid
1-15     by a retiree for supplementary medical insurance benefits under
1-16     Part B of Medicare.
1-17           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-18           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-19     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-20     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-21     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-22     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.