1. (a) An elected or appointed officer or employee who performs service, other than as an independent contractor, for this state, including an institution of higher education, and who is described by this section is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as an employee on the date specified by Section 1551.1055.

2. (b) An individual is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as provided by Subsection (a) if the individual receives compensation for service performed for this state pursuant to a payroll certified by a state agency, other than an institution of higher education, or by an elected or appointed officer of this state, including a payment made from:

   1. (1) an amount appropriated by the legislature from a state fund;
   2. (2) a trust fund held by the comptroller; or

   3. (3) money paid under the official budget of a state agency, other than money appropriated under a general appropriations act.

      (c), (d) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 366, Sec. 2.14.

3. (e) An individual is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as provided by Subsection (a) if the individual receives compensation for service performed for an institution of higher education pursuant to a payroll certified by an institution of higher education or by an elected or appointed officer of this state and either:

   1. (1) is eligible to become a member of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas after any waiting period provided by law before membership in that retirement system; or
   2. (2) is employed at least 20 hours a week and is not permitted to be a member of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas because the individual is employed by an institution of higher education only in a position that as a condition of employment requires the individual to be enrolled as a student in the institution in graduate-level courses.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003.

Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 366, Sec. 2.03, 2.14, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 347 (S.B. 1176), Sec. 26, eff. September 1, 2005.