1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a study of barriers to providing binational health
 1-3     benefit plan coverage.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  (a)  The Texas Department of Insurance and the
 1-6     Texas Department of Health shall jointly study the provision in
 1-7     this state of health benefit plan coverage to individuals who are
 1-8     not residents of this state or another state of the United States.
 1-9     The study must:
1-10                 (1)  identify legal and practical impediments to
1-11     providing binational health benefit plan coverage; and
1-12                 (2)  include recommendations to facilitate provision of
1-13     binational health benefit plan coverage.
1-14           (b)  The Commissioner of Insurance and the Texas Board of
1-15     Health may jointly appoint an advisory committee under Chapter
1-16     2110, Government Code, to assist the departments in conducting the
1-17     study required by this Act.
1-18           (c)  Not later than  November 1, 2002, the Texas Department
1-19     of Health and the Texas Department of Insurance shall jointly issue
1-20     a report describing the departments' recommendations, including
1-21     proposals for legislation.  The departments shall file the report
1-22     with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the
1-23     house of representatives.
1-24           SECTION 2.  This Act expires December 31, 2002.
1-25           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-1     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-2     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-3     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-4     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 496 passed the Senate on
         March 22, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 496 passed the House on
         May 23, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, two
         present, not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                      Date
         _______________________________
                    Governor