BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1513
79R13479 PB-D By: Averitt
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the state appropriates funds for four insurance programs that are located at the Employees Retirement System, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, The University of Texas System, and The Texas A&M University System. Each insurance program is developed and administered separately by each state agency. C.S.S.B. 1513 creates a joint interim committee on state health insurance programs to study state expenditures on health insurance and health benefit programs and to analyze the feasibility of establishing a separate state agency to administer the health benefit programs currently administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, The University of Texas System, and The Texas A&M University System.
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. INTERIM COMMITTEE; STUDY. Provides that the joint interim committee on state health insurance programs (committee) is established to study state expenditures on health insurance and health benefit programs and to analyze the feasibility of establishing a separate state agency to administer the health benefit programs currently administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, The University of Texas System, and The Texas A&M University System.
SECTION 2. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE. Sets forth the composition of the committee and the process for the selection of co-chairs.
SECTION 3. COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Requires the committee to initially meet at the joint call of the co-chairs and to subsequently hold meetings and public hearings at the call of the co-chairs.
SECTION 4. COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES. Provides that the committee has all powers and duties provided to special committees by the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure, Subchapter B (Legislative Reorganization Act), Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the committees on administration.
SECTION 5. COMMITTEE FUNDING. (a) Requires committee members to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this Act from the contingent expense funds of the senate and house of representatives equally in accordance with the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure and the policies of the committees on administration.
(b) Requires other necessary expenses of operation to be paid from the contingent expense funds of the senate and house of representatives equally.
SECTION 6. REPORT. Requires the committee to make a complete written report, including findings and recommendations and drafts of recommended legislation, to the 80th Legislature when it convenes in January 2007.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2005.