BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3254

By: Leo Wilson

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that 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 and that they were previously able to buy into those benefits but that ability has since been removed. C.S.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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3254 amends the Insurance Code to make an individual who is a member of the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the individual's dependents eligible to participate in the group benefits program offered under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act on application to the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas and arrangement for payment of contributions, if the individual is not otherwise eligible under provisions of the act relating to continuing eligibility of certain members of boards, commissions, and institutions of higher education. Such eligibility is subject to the act's administrative process and sanctions for violations of the group benefits program. The bill prohibits a program participant described by the bill's provisions from receiving a state contribution for premiums.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3254 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced provided for an SBOE member's eligibility for participation in a health benefit plan under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act, the substitute provides for an SBOE member's eligibility to participate in the group benefits program offered under that act. Additionally, the substitute extends that eligibility to the SBOE member's dependents, whereas the introduced did not.