All Roll Calls
Yes: 227 • No: 77
TexasSB 140989th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relating to health benefits offered by postsecondary educational institutions to students and their families.
Sponsored By: Ann Johnson, Suleman Lalani, Stan Lambert, Tan Parker (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Education--Higher--Institutions & ProgramsInsurance--Health & Accident
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Colleges can offer voluntary health benefits
Beginning September 1, 2025, qualifying Texas public and private colleges can sponsor health benefits only for enrolled students and their families. Colleges must consider these benefits important to helping students and families live long, productive lives. Students cannot be required to enroll. These benefits are not Texas-regulated insurance products, and colleges following the law are not treated as health insurers for offering them. Colleges must register with the Texas insurance department, follow applicable Chapter 1275 rules, and provide information needed for applicable Chapter 1467 compliance.
Colleges must financially back student benefits
Beginning September 1, 2025, colleges offering these benefits must use sound financial standards based on an actuary's review. The actuary must be a Society of Actuaries fellow or an American Academy of Actuaries member. Colleges must maintain recommended cash reserves and stop-loss insurance levels for both individual claims and total claims. They can also transfer some or all benefit risks, or insure their obligations, through an insurer authorized in Texas. That insurer cannot be under common control with the college.
Student benefits cap waits, require notice
Beginning September 1, 2025, these college benefits cannot impose waits longer than six months for otherwise-covered treatment of preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is one present before the person's benefit enrollment takes effect. Colleges must give applicants written notice that the benefits are not provided through Texas-regulated insurance products. Applicants must sign and return that notice before enrolling. Colleges must keep the signed notice throughout the person's benefit term and provide a copy on request.
Employers can choose health plan rules
Beginning September 1, 2025, qualifying self-insured or self-funded employer plans can opt into Chapter 1275 of the Texas Insurance Code. The employee plan must be established under the federal employee benefit law known as ERISA. Its sponsor must submit an election to the Texas insurance commissioner in the required form and manner. The choice applies for the relevant plan year; sponsors do not have to opt in.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Ann Johnson
House
Suleman Lalani
House
Stan Lambert
House
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
Record vote
Yes: 104 • No: 39
House vote • 4/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 104 • No: 38
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Higher Education
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Education K-16
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective immediately
5/13/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
5/13/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
5/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
4/30/2025SenateReported enrolled
4/29/2025SenateHouse passage reported
4/29/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
4/29/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#801)
4/29/2025HousePassed
4/29/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/29/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
4/28/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#703)
4/28/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
4/28/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/28/2025HouseLaid out in lieu of companion (HB 2290)
4/28/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
4/28/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
4/28/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
4/25/2025HouseReported favorably w/o amendment(s)
4/24/2025HouseConsidered in formal meeting
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Higher Education
4/22/2025HouseRead first time
4/22/2025HouseReceived from the Senate
4/17/2025HouseReported engrossed
4/16/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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