As used in this article:

1. (a) “Local agency” means a county, city, school district, district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation, or other public agency of the state.
2. (b) “Group life insurance” and “group policies of life insurance” includes “group annuities”, and “group annuity contracts.”
3. (c) “Legislative body” means the board of supervisors of a county or city, or the governing board, by whatever name called, of a school district, district, municipal corporation, political subdivision, public corporation, or other public agency of the state.
4. (d) “Health and welfare benefit” means any one or more of the following: hospital, medical, surgical, disability, legal expense or related benefits including, but not limited to, medical, dental, life, legal expense, and income protection insurance or benefits, whether provided on an insurance or a service basis, and includes group life insurance as defined in subdivision (b) of this section.
5. (e) “Employees” or “officers and employees” mean all employees and officers, including members of the legislative body, who are eligible under the terms of any plan of health and welfare benefits adopted by a local agency pursuant to this article.