86R2594 PMO-D

By: Hernandez H.B. No. 839

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the group benefits advisory committee for the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER K. GROUP BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sec. 1551.501. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "committee" means the group benefits advisory committee established by the board of trustees.

Sec. 1551.502. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT. (a) The board of trustees shall appoint the committee members.

(b) The staff of the board of trustees shall name nominees for appointment after the staff considers applications for committee membership from interested parties. The board of trustees shall establish the application and nomination process.

Sec. 1551.503. COMMITTEE COMPOSITION; TERM. (a) The committee is composed of not more than 11 members.

(b) Committee members serve staggered three-year terms.

Sec. 1551.504. COMMITTEE MEMBER DIVERSITY; QUALIFICATIONS. (a) The board of trustees shall appoint committee members from a diverse cross-section of agencies covered by the group benefits program and other stakeholders as determined by the board.

(b) The appointees must meet qualifications and comply with requirements and restrictions established by the board of trustees to retain a position on the committee and participate in committee business.

Sec. 1551.505. AT WILL MEMBERSHIP. Committee members serve at the will of the board of trustees and may be removed at any time at the discretion of the board.

Sec. 1551.506. PRESIDING OFFICER. The presiding officer of the board of trustees shall appoint a chairperson of the committee from the committee's membership to serve a one-year term.

Sec. 1551.507. DUTIES OF COMMITTEE. The committee shall:

(1) advise and consult with the board of trustees on matters concerning all group coverages provided under this chapter;

(2) present recommendations to the board regarding other existing or proposed state employee benefits, other than retirement benefits; and

(3) cooperate and work with the board in coordinating and correlating the administration of the group benefits program among the various state agencies.

Sec. 1551.508. MEETINGS. (a) The committee shall have regular meetings and may have special meetings to conduct committee business.

(b) The board of trustees shall establish the date, time, and location of any meeting under this section and the procedures for convening and conducting committee meetings.

(c) The committee is not a governmental body as defined by Chapter 551, Government Code. The board of trustees may establish notice requirements for any committee meeting.

Sec. 1551.509. MEETING MINUTES. Not less than twice annually, the staff of the board of trustees shall prepare and provide to the board minutes or summaries of committee meetings.

Sec. 1551.510. COMMITTEE REPORT. (a) At least once annually during a public meeting of the board of trustees, the committee shall present a report of the committee activities, findings, and recommendations.

(b) The staff of the board of directors shall assist the committee in preparing the report and presentation.

(c) The executive director may require the committee to present the report required under Subsection (a) more than once a year.

Sec. 1551.511. COMMITTEE MEMBER EXPENSES. The board of trustees may determine by rule the amount and manner of expense reimbursement to be paid to committee members.

Sec. 1551.512. CONSTRUCTION WITH OTHER LAW. To the extent of any conflict between Chapter 2110, Government Code, and a provision of this chapter, this chapter controls.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.