SRC-TBR S.B. 496 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 496 77R5374 DLF-DBy: Shapleigh Business & Commerce 3/12/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there is no mechanism providing for a study to examine the legal and practical impediments to providing binational health benefit coverage and to allow Texans to determine how best to pursue the issue of binational health benefit plan coverage. As proposed, S.B. 496 authorizes the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Health to study the provision of health benefit coverage to individuals who are not residents of this state or another state of the United States. 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. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Health to jointly study the provision in this state of health benefit coverage to individuals who are not residents of this state or another state of the United States. Requires the study to identify legal and practical impediments to providing binational health benefit coverage and include recommendations to facilitate provision of binational health plan coverage. (b) Authorizes the commissioner of insurance and the Texas Board of Health to jointly appoint an advisory committee under Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, to assist the departments in conducting the study required by this Act. (c) Requires that, not later than November 1, 2002, the Texas Department of Health and the Texas Department of Insurance jointly issue a report describing the departments' recommendations, including proposals for legislation. Requires the departments to file the report with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires December 31, 2002. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.