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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of a preference in certain state |
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construction contracts for contractors that provide health |
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benefits to employees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2166.2527 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2166.2527. PREFERENCE FOR VENDORS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH |
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BENEFITS COVERAGE. (a) The commission shall give a preference to a |
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contractor that provides health benefits coverage that is at least |
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equivalent to basic coverage provided under the state employees |
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group benefit program provided under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, |
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to each full-time employee and the employee's family. |
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(b) To qualify for the preference under this section, the |
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contractor must pay at least 75 percent of the health insurance |
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premiums for each full-time employee who participates in the |
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insurance program and at least 75 percent of the health insurance |
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premiums for each dependent of a full-time employee who elects to |
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participate in dependent coverage under the insurance program. |
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(c) The commission shall give a preference to a contractor |
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who meets the health insurance requirements of this section over |
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any other contractor who does not meet the health insurance |
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requirements of this section, if the contractor's bid does not |
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exceed 107 percent of the bid of a contractor that does not provide |
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the health insurance coverage required by this section to the |
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contractor's employees. |
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(d) A contract that is awarded to a contractor using the |
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preference under this section must include terms that: |
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(1) allow the commission to terminate the contract if |
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the contractor at any time during the life of the contract fails to |
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maintain the health insurance coverage required by this section; |
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and |
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(2) require the contractor to use the preference |
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described by this section when awarding a subcontract under the |
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contract. |
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SECTION 2. Section 2166.2527, Government Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies only to a building construction contract for |
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which the solicitation of bids or proposals, request for proposals, |
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or similar required notification as to the project is published on |
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or after September 1, 2007. A building construction contract for |
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which the solicitation of bids or proposals, request for proposals, |
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or similar required notification as to the project is published |
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before September 1, 2007, is governed by the law in effect at the |
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time the solicitation, request, or notification is published, and |
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that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |