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          AN ACT
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        relating to the authority of the commissioner of insurance to  | 
      
      
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        request a state innovation waiver for certain small group health  | 
      
      
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        benefit plans of certain federal actuarial value and level of  | 
      
      
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        coverage requirements. | 
      
      
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               BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | 
      
      
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               SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1501, Insurance Code, is  | 
      
      
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        amended by adding Section 1501.2561 to read as follows: | 
      
      
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               Sec. 1501.2561.  WAIVER OF CERTAIN FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.   | 
      
      
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        The commissioner may apply to and negotiate with the United States  | 
      
      
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        secretary of health and human services to obtain a waiver under 42  | 
      
      
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        U.S.C. Section 18052 for small employer health benefit plans of the  | 
      
      
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        actuarial value requirements and related levels of health plan  | 
      
      
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        coverage requirements imposed under 42 U.S.C. Section 18022(d)(3). | 
      
      
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               SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives  | 
      
      
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        a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as  | 
      
      
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        provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this  | 
      
      
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        Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this  | 
      
      
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        Act takes effect September 1, 2017. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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           President of the Senate | 
        Speaker of the House      | 
      
      
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               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1406 passed the Senate on  | 
      
      
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        April 19, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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        Secretary of the Senate     | 
      
      
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               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1406 passed the House on  | 
      
      
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        May 10, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 1, one  | 
      
      
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        present not voting. | 
      
      
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        ______________________________ | 
      
      
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        Chief Clerk of the House    | 
      
      
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        Approved: | 
      
      
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        ______________________________  | 
      
      
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                    Date | 
      
      
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        ______________________________  | 
      
      
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                  Governor |