While we have been focusing on Senate Bill 789 we failed to notice the introduction of House Bill 1998 introduced back in February by the same representative who tried and failed to open the gates of freedom for school districts wanting out of TRS ActiveCare two years ago.
Now we learn the HB 1998 has passed Calendars, a major hurdle for potential final passage.
Although it is a long shot at this late stage of this year’s biennial legislative session, hope springs eternal for salivating insurance agents eagerly standing by to pick at the TRS ActiveCare carcass should HB 1998 pass this session……………………
Bill Title: Relating to participation in and rates for coverage provided under the uniform group coverage program for active school employees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2017-05-10 – Placed on General State Calendar [HB1998 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB1998-Introduced.html
85R9571 BEE-D
By: Lozano H.B. No. 1998
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to participation in and rates for coverage provided under
the uniform group coverage program for active school employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1579.056 to read as follows:
Sec. 1579.056. REGIONAL RATING AUTHORIZED.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the trustee by
rule may establish a regional rating method for determining
premiums charged in different regions of the state for the benefits
provided under a plan of group coverage established under the
program.
SECTION 2. Section 1579.152, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1579.152. PARTICIPATION OF [OTHER] SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AND CERTAIN RISK POOLS. Effective September 1, 2017 [2005], a
school district or a risk pool established under Chapter 172, Local
Government Code, as provided by Section 22.004, Education Code,
that is in existence on January 1, 2017, and whose members are
school districts [with more than 500 employees] may elect to
participate in the program. A school district or risk pool that
elects to participate under this section shall apply for
participation in the manner prescribed by the trustee by rule.
SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1579.155 to read as follows:
Sec. 1579.155. ELECTION NOT TO PARTICIPATE. A school
district or risk pool established under Chapter 172, Local
Government Code, as provided by Section 22.004, Education Code, may
elect not to participate in the program, notwithstanding any
previous election or requirement to participate.
SECTION 4. Sections 1579.151 and 1579.153, Insurance Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
