78R19656 DLF-D

Suspending limitations on conference committee

jurisdiction, S.B. No. 1370 (Duncan/Delisi)







By:  Delisi                                           H.R. No. 1864


R E S O L U T I O N
	BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of 
Texas, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, That House Rule 13, 
Section 9(a), be suspended in part as provided by House Rule 13, 
Section 9(f), to enable the conference committee appointed to 
resolve the differences on Senate Bill 1370, relating to certain 
group benefit plans provided to certain governmental officers, 
employees, and retirees and their dependents, to consider and take 
action on the following matter:
	House Rule 13, Section 9(4), is suspended to permit the 
committee to add a new section to the bill to read as follows:
	SECTION 2.08.  Subchapter G, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, 
as effective June 1, 2003, is amended by adding Section 1551.3015 to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 1551.3015.  COST ASSESSMENT FOR CERTAIN PARTICIPANTS.  
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board of trustees 
may impose against an employer whose employees are not paid 
salaries from amounts appropriated by the General Appropriations 
Act and whose participation in the group benefits program begins 
after August 31, 2003, as a condition for participation in the 
program, a one-time assessment of administrative costs for 
participation of the employees and annuitants in the program, which 
may include the actuarial costs of including the group in the 
program and a participation premium determined by the board. The 
board of trustees shall deposit all amounts recovered under this 
section in the employees life, accident, and health insurance and 
benefits fund.
	Explanation:  The added section is necessary to authorize the 
board of trustees to impose a cost assessment against certain 
employers whose employees and annuitants participate in the group 
benefits program under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act.