By:  Averitt                                                      S.B. No. 1513


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interim study regarding the operation of certain 
state health insurance programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  INTERIM COMMITTEE; STUDY.  The joint interim 
committee on state health insurance programs 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.  (a)  The joint 
interim committee shall be composed of five senators and five 
members of the house of representatives, as follows:
		(1)  the chair of the senate finance committee, the 
chair of the senate state affairs committee, and three senators 
appointed by the lieutenant governor; and
		(2)  the chair of the appropriations committee of the 
house of representatives, the chair of the insurance committee of 
the house of representatives, and three members of the house of 
representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of 
representatives.
	(b)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of 
representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the 
committee members.
	SECTION 3.  COMMITTEE MEETINGS.  The joint interim committee 
shall meet initially at the joint call of the co-chairs, and the 
committee shall subsequently hold meetings and public hearings at 
the call of the co-chairs.
	SECTION 4.  COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES.  The joint interim 
committee has all powers and duties provided to special committees 
by the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure, by 
Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the 
committees on administration.
	SECTION 5.  COMMITTEE FUNDING.  (a)  From the contingent 
expense fund of the senate and the contingent expense fund of the 
house of representatives equally, the members of the joint interim 
committee shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out 
the provisions of this Act in accordance with the senate and house 
of representatives rules of procedure and the policies of the 
committees on administration.
	(b)  Other necessary expenses of operation shall be paid from 
the contingent expense fund of the senate and the contingent 
expense fund of the house of representatives equally.
	SECTION 6.  REPORT.  The joint interim committee shall 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.  This Act takes effect September 
1, 2005.