Texarkana council authorizes group critical‑illness coverage to comply with HB 4144

The Texarkana City Council unanimously approved resolution 2026‑103 authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool to provide group critical‑illness supplemental coverage for eligible retired peace officers and firefighters under Texas House Bill 4144.

JW Bramarlet briefed the council on the statute's requirements, saying the law applies to political subdivisions that employ at least 50 firefighters or 50 peace officers and requires coverage for eligible retirees diagnosed within three years of retirement for covered conditions (certain cancers, heart attacks, strokes). "The required benefit amount is equal to the lesser of the retiree's final annual salary or $100,000," Bramarlet said.

Staff explained the pool competitively procured a product administered through MetLife and AMW's group benefits and that the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool would serve as master policyholder for participating entities. Council Member Matlock moved approval; Council Member Page seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: HB 4144 imposes specific benefit obligations on political subdivisions that meet staffing thresholds; joining the TML pool gives municipalities a ready product that staff said satisfies statutory requirements and shifts administration of the coverage to the pool and its vendor.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the interlocal agreement and policy documents and implement coverage as required for eligible retirees.