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.