86R2594 PMO-D
By: Hernandez H.B. No. 839
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the group benefits advisory committee for the board of
trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. GROUP BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sec. 1551.501. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "committee"
means the group benefits advisory committee established by the
board of trustees.
Sec. 1551.502. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT. (a) The board of
trustees shall appoint the committee members.
(b) The staff of the board of trustees shall name nominees
for appointment after the staff considers applications for
committee membership from interested parties. The board of
trustees shall establish the application and nomination process.
Sec. 1551.503. COMMITTEE COMPOSITION; TERM. (a) The
committee is composed of not more than 11 members.
(b) Committee members serve staggered three-year terms.
Sec. 1551.504. COMMITTEE MEMBER DIVERSITY; QUALIFICATIONS.
(a) The board of trustees shall appoint committee members from a
diverse cross-section of agencies covered by the group benefits
program and other stakeholders as determined by the board.
(b) The appointees must meet qualifications and comply with
requirements and restrictions established by the board of trustees
to retain a position on the committee and participate in committee
business.
Sec. 1551.505. AT WILL MEMBERSHIP. Committee members serve
at the will of the board of trustees and may be removed at any time
at the discretion of the board.
Sec. 1551.506. PRESIDING OFFICER. The presiding officer of
the board of trustees shall appoint a chairperson of the committee
from the committee's membership to serve a one-year term.
Sec. 1551.507. DUTIES OF COMMITTEE. The committee shall:
(1) advise and consult with the board of trustees on
matters concerning all group coverages provided under this chapter;
(2) present recommendations to the board regarding
other existing or proposed state employee benefits, other than
retirement benefits; and
(3) cooperate and work with the board in coordinating
and correlating the administration of the group benefits program
among the various state agencies.
Sec. 1551.508. MEETINGS. (a) The committee shall have
regular meetings and may have special meetings to conduct committee
business.
(b) The board of trustees shall establish the date, time,
and location of any meeting under this section and the procedures
for convening and conducting committee meetings.
(c) The committee is not a governmental body as defined by
Chapter 551, Government Code. The board of trustees may establish
notice requirements for any committee meeting.
Sec. 1551.509. MEETING MINUTES. Not less than twice
annually, the staff of the board of trustees shall prepare and
provide to the board minutes or summaries of committee meetings.
Sec. 1551.510. COMMITTEE REPORT. (a) At least once
annually during a public meeting of the board of trustees, the
committee shall present a report of the committee activities,
findings, and recommendations.
(b) The staff of the board of directors shall assist the
committee in preparing the report and presentation.
(c) The executive director may require the committee to
present the report required under Subsection (a) more than once a
year.
Sec. 1551.511. COMMITTEE MEMBER EXPENSES. The board of
trustees may determine by rule the amount and manner of expense
reimbursement to be paid to committee members.
Sec. 1551.512. CONSTRUCTION WITH OTHER LAW. To the extent
of any conflict between Chapter 2110, Government Code, and a
provision of this chapter, this chapter controls.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.