SRC-TBR S.B. 442 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 442
77R1956 PB-DBy: Fraser
Business & Commerce
2/2/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many small businesses cannot afford to provide health insurance
to their employees.  As proposed, S.B. 442 creates a task force to review
the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool and small employer and individual
health insurance in Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "commissioner," "department," "small
business," and "task force." 

SECTION 2. TASK FORCE; MEMBERSHIP; QUALIFICATIONS.  (a) Provides that the
small business health benefits task force is established to make
recommendations to the legislature with respect to improving the
availability of group and individual health benefits coverage to employees
of small businesses in this state. 

 (b)  Provides that the task force is composed of certain appointees.

SECTION 3.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE.  (a) Requires the task
force to examine state and federal laws and rules regarding the provision
of health benefits to employees and identify changes to law that would
result in the extension of health benefits to more employees of small
businesses in this state.  Requires the task force, in particular, to
examine the operation of certain plans and organizations. 

(b)  Requires the department to provide administrative support and services
to the task force. 

SECTION 4.  REPORT.  (a) Requires the task force, not later than September
1, 2002, to recommend to the Texas Department of Insurance the changes
identified under Section 3 of this Act. Requires the commissioner of
insurance not later than December 1, 2002, to submit to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a written
report concerning the recommendations of the task force.  Requires the
report to include certain plans and recommendations. 

SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION.  Provides that this Act expires and the task force
is abolished June 1, 2003.