| TO: | Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB535 by Anchia (Relating to the provision of a preference in state purchasing decisions for vendors that provide health benefits to employees.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Comptroller of Public Accounts and all state agencies procuring goods and services to give preference to vendors providing their employees with health benefits coverage at least equivalent to a standard health benefit plan as defined by Chapter 1507 of the Insurance Code.
The bill requires that the vendor pay 100 percent of health insurance premiums for each full-time employee and at least 75 percent of the health insurance premiums for each dependent of that employee. The goods and services must meet state specifications and the cost may not exceed the cost of another vendor that does not demonstrate the preference.
The agencies contacted indicate that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 313 Department of Information Resources, 332 Department of Housing and Community Affairs, 357 Office of Rural Community Affairs, 362 Texas Lottery Commission, 401 Adjutant General's Department, 405 Department of Public Safety, 458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 476 Racing Commission, 481 Board of Professional Geoscientists, 539 Aging and Disability Services, Department of, 554 Animal Health Commission, 694 Youth Commission, 771 School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 772 School for the Deaf, 802 Parks and Wildlife Department, 809 Preservation Board
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, SD, PJK
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