By: Lozano, Hunter	H.B. No. 3453

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to participation in and rates for coverage provided under
	the uniform group coverage program for active employees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  INTERIM COMMITTEE; STUDY. (a) A joint interim
	committee on TRS ActiveCare is established to study:
	(1)  the impact of allowing school districts and other
	participating entities in the uniform group coverage program for
	active employees under Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, to opt out of
	that program;
	(2)  the impact, should participating entities be
	authorized to opt out of the program, of allowing or prohibiting
	future participation by previous participating entities that have
	opted out; and
	(3)  the impact of establishing a regional rating
	method for determining premiums charged in different regions of the
	state for the benefits provided under a group coverage plan
	established under the program.
	(b)  The joint interim committee shall be composed of six
	senators appointed by the lieutenant governor and six members of
	the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house
	of representatives.
	(c)  The lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of
	representatives shall each designate a co-chair from among the
	joint interim committee members.
	(d)  The joint interim committee shall convene at the joint
	call of the co-chairs.
	(e)  The joint interim committee has all other powers and
	duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the
	senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
	Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees
	on administration.
	(f)  Not later than January 1, 2017, the joint interim
	committee shall report the committee's findings and
	recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
	house of representatives, the governor, the Teacher Retirement
	System of Texas, and each house and senate standing committee with
	primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary education or health
	benefit plan coverage.
	(g)  From the contingent expense fund of the senate and the
	contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally,
	the members of the joint interim committee shall be reimbursed for
	expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this Act in
	accordance with the senate and house of representatives rules of
	procedure and the policies of the committees on administration.
	Other necessary expenses of operation shall be paid from the
	contingent expense fund of the senate and the contingent expense
	fund of the house of representatives equally.
	SECTION 2.  ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The joint interim
	committee on TRS ActiveCare created by this Act is abolished and
	this Act expires September 1, 2017.
	SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
	immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
	elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
	Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
	immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.