BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3254
89R28023 RDS-D	By: Leo Wilson et al. (Zaffirini)
	Finance
	5/22/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

State Board of Education (SBOE) members are some of the few elected officials in Texas who do not have access to the state employees group benefits program. They were previously able to buy into those benefits but that ability has since been removed.

H.B. 3254 seeks to allow members of the SBOE and their dependents to participate in the state employees group benefits program without receiving state contributions for premiums.

H.B. 3254 amends current law relating to the eligibility of members of the State Board of Education and their dependents to participate in the state employees group benefits program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, by adding Section 1551.1095, as follows:

Sec. 1551.1095. ELIGIBILITY OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS. (a) Provides that, subject to Section 1551.351 (Administrative Process and Sanctions for Program Violations), on application to the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas and arrangement for payment of contributions, an individual who is a member of the State Board of Education and not otherwise eligible under Section 1551.109 (Continuing Eligibility of Certain Members of Boards, Commissions, and Institutions of Higher Education) and the individual's dependents are eligible under this section to participate in the group benefits program offered under Chapter 1551 (Texas Employees Group Benefits Act).

(b) Prohibits a participant described by this section from receiving a state contribution for premiums.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.