HBA-SEB S.B. 1749 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill Analysis S.B. 1749 By: Jackson Pensions and Investments 4/30/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a member of the governing body of a community or junior college who has rendered at least 10 continuous years of service and who is at least 55 years of age does not have the option to continue health benefits. S.B. 1749 amends Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code, to give such a person that option. This bill provides that the contributions must be paid from funds under the control of the institution and/or from the personal funds of the former member. This bill also prohibits the state from paying the contributions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 3(a)(5), Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code (Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act), to include in the definition of "employee" a member of the governing body of a community/junior college who rendered at least 10 continuous years of service and who is at least 55 years of age. SECTION 2. Amends Section 15(b), Article 3.50-2, Insurance Code (Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act) to require the necessary contributions to be paid from funds under the control of a public community/ junior college or from the personal funds of a former member of the governing body of the institution in the event that the institution elects to continue the health benefits of the former member who rendered at least 10 continuous years of service and is at least 55 years of age. Prohibits the state from paying the required contributions. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.