By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 601


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to importing prescription drugs for use in state-funded 
programs that provide health care services or benefits.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  PRESCRIPTION DRUG STUDY.  (a)  In this section, 
"system" means the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
	(b)  The system shall conduct a detailed study to determine 
whether importing prescription drugs from a foreign country for use 
in the state employees group benefits program would be safe, 
feasible, and cost-effective.
	(c)  The system may:                                                           
		(1)  enter into interagency contracts with other state 
agencies to extend the study to other state-funded programs that 
provide health care services or benefits; and
		(2)  consult with other state agencies, as appropriate.                       
	(d)  Not later than September 1, 2006, the system shall 
report the results of the study, including proposed legislation 
necessary to implement any recommendations contained in the report, 
to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of 
representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the 
legislature.
	SECTION 2.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires December 31, 2006.                   
	SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect 
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members 
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas 
Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for 
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.