79S11014 DLF-D

By:  Blake                                                        H.B. No. 119


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to participation of certain annuitants and their dependents in the state employees group benefits program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1551.323, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) to read as follows: (a) An annuitant eligible to participate under Section 1551.102(i), 1551.111(e), or 1551.112(c) is[, except as provided by this subsection,] required to pay, [the total cost, as determined by the board, attributable to the participation of that individual and the dependents of that individual] until the date the individual is 65 years of age, an amount equal to the amount of the state or other employer contribution that would be made on behalf of the annuitant and, if applicable, the annuitant's dependents under this chapter if the annuitant were eligible to participate under another provision of Section 1551.102, 1551.111, or 1551.112. (a-1) The payment made under this section is in addition to other contributions required under Sections 1551.305, 1551.306, and 1551.307. (a-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), if [If] the General Appropriations Act or other similar legislation provides that some or all of the costs paid under Subsection (a) are payable by a state contribution [addresses the payment of those costs], those costs shall be paid in the manner specified by that legislation. (a-3) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an institution of higher education may provide some or all of the costs paid under Subsection (a) from money appropriated from a fund other than the general revenue fund or from money available from local sources. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to participation on or after the effective date of this Act in the state employees group benefits program established under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code. Participation in the group benefits program before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it exists immediately before the effective date of this Act and that law is continued in effect for this purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect November 1, 2005.