S.B. No. 1664

	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment of the Texas Achieving a Better Life
	Experience (ABLE) Program; authorizing the imposition of fees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 54.602(b), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  The board shall administer the following programs:
	(1)  the prepaid higher education tuition program
	established under this subchapter; [and]
	(2)  the higher education savings plan established
	under Subchapter G;
	(3)  the prepaid tuition unit undergraduate education
	program established under Subchapter H;
	(4)  the Texas Save and Match Program established under
	Subchapter I; and
	(5)  the Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience
	Program established under Subchapter J.
	SECTION 2.  Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding
	Subchapter J to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE (ABLE)
	PROGRAM
	Sec. 54.901.  PURPOSES OF PROGRAM. The purposes of this
	subchapter are as follows:
	(1)  to encourage and assist individuals and families
	in saving funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with
	disabilities to maintain health, independence, and quality of life;
	and
	(2)  to provide secure funding for qualified disability
	expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities
	that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through
	private insurance, the Medicaid program under Title XIX of the
	Social Security Act, the supplemental security income program under
	Title XVI of the Social Security Act, the beneficiary's employment,
	and other sources.
	Sec. 54.902.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1)  "ABLE account" has the meaning assigned by Section
	529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(2)  "ABLE program" or "program" means the Texas
	Achieving a Better Life Experience Program created under this
	subchapter.
	(3)  "Board" means the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition
	Board established under Section 54.602.
	(4)  "Designated beneficiary" means a resident of this
	state with a disability who is an eligible individual and named as
	the designated beneficiary of an ABLE account.
	(5)  "Eligible individual" means a person who has
	certified to the board that the person is eligible to participate in
	the ABLE program.
	(6)  "Financial institution" means a bank, a trust
	company, a depository trust company, an insurance company, a
	broker-dealer, a registered investment company or investment
	manager, the Texas Safekeeping Trust Company, or another similar
	financial institution authorized to transact business in this
	state.
	(7)  "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue
	Code of 1986.
	(8)  "Participant" means a designated beneficiary or
	the parent or custodian or other fiduciary of the beneficiary who
	has entered into a participation agreement under this subchapter.
	(9)  "Participation agreement" means an agreement
	between a participant and the board under this subchapter that
	conforms to the requirements prescribed by this subchapter.
	(10)  "Qualified disability expenses" means any
	expenses related to the eligible individual's blindness or
	disability that are made for the benefit of an eligible individual
	who is the designated beneficiary, and includes expenses for
	education, housing, transportation, employment training and
	support, assistive technology and personal support services,
	health, prevention and wellness, financial management and
	administrative services, legal fees, oversight and monitoring, a
	funeral and burial, and other expenses approved under federal
	regulations adopted under Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(11)  "Texas ABLE savings plan account" means the Texas
	ABLE savings plan account created under Section 54.903.
	Sec. 54.903.  CREATION OF PROGRAM AND ACCOUNT;
	ADMINISTRATION. (a)  The Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience
	(ABLE) Program is created under this subchapter.  The Texas ABLE
	savings plan account is established as a trust fund outside of the
	state treasury.
	(b)  The board shall administer the ABLE program.
	(c)  The board, the office of the comptroller, and any
	manager or other contractor that contracts with the board to
	provide services under this subchapter are not covered entities for
	purposes of Chapter 181, Health and Safety Code.
	Sec. 54.904.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. (a)  To establish
	and administer the ABLE program, the board shall:
	(1)  develop and implement the program;
	(2)  adopt rules and establish policies and procedures
	to implement this subchapter to:
	(A)  permit the program to qualify as a qualified
	ABLE program under Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code;
	(B)  make changes to the program as necessary for
	the participants in the program to obtain or maintain federal
	income tax benefits or treatment provided by Section 529A, Internal
	Revenue Code, and exemptions under federal securities laws; and
	(C)  make changes to the program as necessary to
	ensure the program's compliance with all other applicable laws and
	regulations;
	(3)  either directly or through a contractual
	arrangement for investment or plan manager services with a
	financial institution or plan manager or another qualified entity,
	develop and provide information for participants and their families
	necessary to establish and maintain an ABLE account;
	(4)  enter into agreements with any financial
	institution or any state or federal agency or contractor or other
	entity as required to administer the program under this subchapter;
	(5)  enter into participation agreements with
	participants;
	(6)  solicit and accept any gifts, grants, legislative
	appropriations, and other funds from the state, any unit of
	federal, state, or local government, or any other person, firm,
	partnership, or corporation;
	(7)  invest participant funds in appropriate
	investment instruments; and
	(8)  make provision for the payment of costs of
	administering the program.
	(b)  The board has all powers necessary or proper to carry
	out its duties under this subchapter and to effectuate the purposes
	of this subchapter, including the power to:
	(1)  sue and be sued;
	(2)  enter into contracts and other necessary
	instruments;
	(3)  enter into agreements or other transactions with
	the United States, state agencies, and other entities as necessary;
	(4)  appear on its own behalf before governmental
	agencies;
	(5)  contract for necessary goods and services,
	including specifying in the contract duties to be performed by the
	provider of a good or service that are a part of or are in addition
	to the person's primary duties under the contract;
	(6)  contract with another state that administers a
	qualified ABLE program as authorized by Section 529A, Internal
	Revenue Code, to provide residents of this state with access to a
	qualified ABLE program;
	(7)  engage the services of private consultants,
	trustees, records administrators, managers, legal counsel,
	auditors, and other appropriate parties or organizations for
	administrative or technical assistance;
	(8)  participate in any government program;
	(9)  impose fees and charges;
	(10)  develop marketing plans or promotional materials
	or contract with a consultant to market the program;
	(11)  make reports;
	(12)  purchase liability insurance covering the board
	and employees and agents of the board;
	(13)  make changes to the program as necessary for the
	participants in the program to obtain or maintain federal income
	tax benefits or treatment provided by Section 529A, Internal
	Revenue Code, and exemptions under federal securities laws; and
	(14)  establish other policies, procedures, and
	eligibility criteria to implement this subchapter.
	Sec. 54.9045.  COLLECTION OF FEES. The board shall collect
	administrative fees and service charges in connection with any
	agreement, contract, or transaction relating to the program in
	amounts not exceeding the amount necessary to recover the cost of
	establishing and maintaining the program.
	Sec. 54.905.  INVESTMENT OF FUNDS. (a)  All money paid by a
	participant in connection with a participation agreement shall be:
	(1)  deposited into an individual ABLE account held on
	behalf of that participant in the Texas ABLE savings plan account;
	and
	(2)  promptly invested by the board.
	(b)  The board at least annually shall establish and review
	the asset allocation and selection of the underlying investments of
	the ABLE program.
	(c)  The board may delegate to duly appointed financial
	institutions authority to act on behalf of the board in the
	investment and reinvestment of all or part of the funds and may also
	delegate to those financial institutions the authority to act on
	behalf of the board in the holding, purchasing, selling, assigning,
	transferring, or disposing of any or all of the securities and
	investments in which the funds in the Texas ABLE savings plan
	account have been invested, as well as the proceeds from the
	investment of those funds.
	(d)  In delegating investment authority to financial
	institutions, the board may authorize the pooling of funds from the
	ABLE accounts with other funds administered by the board to
	maximize returns for participants.  If funds from the ABLE accounts
	are pooled with other funds administered by the board, the board
	shall track, monitor, report, and record separately all investment
	activity related to the ABLE accounts, including any earnings and
	fees associated with each individual ABLE account.
	(e)  The board may select one or more financial institutions
	to serve as custodian of all or part of the program's assets.
	(f)  In the board's discretion, the board may contract with
	one or more financial institutions to serve as plan manager and to
	invest the money in ABLE accounts.
	(g)  A contract between the board and a financial institution
	to act as plan manager under this subchapter may be for a term of up
	to five years and may be renewable.
	(h)  In exercising or delegating investment powers and
	authority, members of the board shall exercise ordinary business
	care and prudence under the facts and circumstances prevailing at
	the time of the action or decision. A member of the board is not
	liable for any action taken or omitted with respect to the exercise
	of, or delegation of, those powers and authority if the member
	discharged the duties of the member's position in good faith and
	with the degree of diligence, care, and skill that a prudent person
	acting in a like capacity and familiar with those matters would use
	in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like
	aims.
	(i)  In administering this subchapter, the board is subject
	to the board's ethics policy adopted under Section 54.6085.
	Sec. 54.906.  TREATMENT OF ASSETS. (a)  The assets of the
	ABLE program shall at all times be preserved, invested, and spent
	only for the purposes provided by this subchapter and in accordance
	with the participation agreements entered into under this
	subchapter.
	(b)  Except as provided by Section 529A, Internal Revenue
	Code, the state does not have a property right in the assets of the
	ABLE program.
	Sec. 54.9065.  EXCLUSION OF ABLE ACCOUNT ASSETS FROM CERTAIN
	BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS. Notwithstanding any other
	provision of state law that requires consideration of the financial
	circumstances of an applicant for assistance or a benefit provided
	under that law, the agency making the determination of eligibility
	for the assistance or benefit may not consider the amount in the
	applicant's ABLE account, including earnings on that amount, and
	any distribution for qualified disability expenses in determining
	the applicant's eligibility to receive and the amount of the
	assistance or benefit with respect to the period during which the
	individual maintains the ABLE account.
	Sec. 54.907.  EXEMPTION FROM SECURITIES LAWS. An ABLE
	account is not a security within the meaning of the term as defined
	by Section 4, The Securities Act (Article 581-4, Vernon's Texas
	Civil Statutes), and is exempt from the provisions of The
	Securities Act (Article 581-1 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil
	Statutes).
	Sec. 54.908.  PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS. (a)  Under the ABLE
	program, the board may enter into participation agreements with
	participants on behalf of designated beneficiaries.
	(b)  A participation agreement may include the following
	terms:
	(1)  the requirements and applicable restrictions for:
	(A)  opening an ABLE account;
	(B)  making contributions to an ABLE account; and
	(C)  directly or indirectly, directing the
	investment of the contributions or balance of the ABLE account;
	(2)  the eligibility requirements for a participant to
	enter into a participation agreement and the rights of that
	participant;
	(3)  the administrative fee and other fees and charges
	applicable to an ABLE account;
	(4)  the terms and conditions under which an ABLE
	account or participation agreement may be modified, transferred, or
	terminated;
	(5)  the method of disposition of abandoned ABLE
	accounts; and
	(6)  any other terms and conditions the board considers
	necessary or appropriate, including those necessary to conform the
	ABLE account to the requirements of Section 529A, Internal Revenue
	Code, or other applicable federal law.
	(c)  The participation agreement may be amended throughout
	the term of the agreement, including to allow a participant to
	increase or decrease the level of participation and to change the
	designated beneficiary or other matters authorized by this section
	and Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(d)  If the board finds a participant has made a material
	misrepresentation in the application for a participation agreement
	or in any communication regarding the ABLE program, the board may
	liquidate the participant's ABLE account. If the board liquidates
	an ABLE account under this subsection, the participant is entitled
	to a refund, subject to any charges or fees provided by the
	participation agreement and the Internal Revenue Code.
	Sec. 54.9085.  ENCUMBRANCE OR TRANSFER OF ACCOUNT
	PROHIBITED.  (a)  An ABLE account may not be assigned for the
	benefit of creditors, used as security or collateral for any loan,
	or otherwise subject to alienation, sale, transfer, assignment,
	pledge, encumbrance, or charge.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the state is a
	permissible creditor upon the death of a designated beneficiary for
	the purposes set forth in Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	Sec. 54.909.  USE OF FUND ASSETS. The assets of the program
	may only be used to:
	(1)  make distributions to designated beneficiaries;
	(2)  pay the costs of program administration and
	operations;
	(3)  make refunds for cancellations, excess
	contributions, liquidation under Section 54.908(d), and death, in
	accordance with a computation method determined by the board;
	(4)  roll over funds to another ABLE account to the
	extent authorized by Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code; and
	(5)  make distributions to the state as authorized by
	Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	Sec. 54.910.  DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY. (a)  The participant
	is the designated beneficiary and the owner of the ABLE account
	except as described by Subsection (b) and as otherwise permitted by
	Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(b)  If the designated beneficiary of the account is a minor
	or has a custodian or other fiduciary appointed for the purpose of
	managing the minor's financial affairs, the parent or custodian or
	other fiduciary of the beneficiary may serve as the participant if
	that form of ownership is permitted or not prohibited by Section
	529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(c)  A designated beneficiary may own only one ABLE account,
	and each ABLE account may have only one owner, except as otherwise
	permitted by Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	Sec. 54.911.  VERIFICATION UNDER OATH. The board may
	require a participant to verify under oath:
	(1)  the participant's certification as an eligible
	individual;
	(2)  the participant's selection to change a designated
	beneficiary;
	(3)  the participant's selection to cancel a
	participation agreement; and
	(4)  any other information the board may require.
	Sec. 54.912.  CANCELLATION. (a)  A participant may cancel a
	participation agreement at will.
	(b)  Each participation agreement must provide that the
	agreement may be canceled on the terms and conditions and on payment
	of applicable fees and costs as provided by rule.
	Sec. 54.913.  REPORTS. (a)  The board shall comply with the
	reporting requirements in Section 529A, Internal Revenue Code.
	(b)  The board shall report financial information related to
	the ABLE program in an annual financial report in accordance with
	the comptroller's requirements and guidelines for state agencies.
	(c)  The board shall include financial information for the
	ABLE program in the board's annual report posted on the board's
	website.
	(d)  The board shall prepare any other reports required by
	state or federal rules and regulations.
	Sec. 54.914.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS. (a)  Except as
	otherwise provided by this section, all information relating to the
	program is public and subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
	Government Code.
	(b)  Information relating to a prospective or current
	participant or designated beneficiary or to a participation
	agreement, including any personally identifiable information, is
	confidential except that the board may disclose that information
	to:
	(1)  a participant regarding the participant's account;
	or
	(2)  a state or federal agency as necessary to
	administer the program or as required by Section 529A, Internal
	Revenue Code, or other federal or state requirements.
	Sec. 54.915.  PROGRAM LIMITATIONS. (a)  Nothing in this
	subchapter or in any participation agreement entered into under
	this subchapter may be construed to guarantee that amounts saved
	under the program will be sufficient to cover the qualified
	disability expenses of a designated beneficiary.
	(b)  Nothing in this subchapter or in any participation
	agreement entered into under this subchapter may be construed to
	create any obligation of the state, any agency or instrumentality
	of the state, or a plan manager to guarantee for the benefit of a
	participant:
	(1)  the return of any amount contributed to an
	account;
	(2)  the rate of interest or other return on an account;
	or
	(3)  the payment of interest or other return on an
	account.
	(c)  The board by rule shall require that informational
	materials used in connection with a contribution to an ABLE account
	clearly indicate that the account is not insured by this state and
	that neither the principal deposited nor the investment return is
	guaranteed by the state.
	Sec. 54.916.  TERMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF PROGRAM.
	(a)  If the comptroller determines that the ABLE program is not
	financially feasible, the comptroller shall notify the governor and
	the legislature and recommend that the board not administer an ABLE
	program or that the program be modified or terminated.  The program
	may be terminated only by the legislature.
	(b)  If the comptroller determines that the ABLE program is
	not financially feasible, the board may adjust the terms of
	participation agreements as necessary to ensure the financial
	feasibility of the program.
	(c)  If the legislature terminates the ABLE program, the
	balance of each ABLE account shall be paid to the participant, to
	the extent possible.
	Sec. 54.917.  ABLE PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)  The
	ABLE program advisory committee is established to review rules and
	procedures related to the ABLE program, to provide guidance,
	suggest changes, and make recommendations for the administration of
	the program, and to provide assistance as needed to the board and
	comptroller during the creation of the program.
	(b)  The comptroller shall appoint at least five and not more
	than seven members to the advisory committee, including at least
	one member from each of the following groups:
	(1)  persons with a disability who qualify for the
	program;
	(2)  family members of a person with a disability who
	qualifies for the program;
	(3)  representatives of disability advocacy
	organizations; and
	(4)  representatives of the financial community.
	(c)  The comptroller shall appoint a presiding officer.
	(d)  The advisory committee shall meet quarterly or more
	frequently as the presiding officer determines is necessary to
	carry out the responsibilities of the committee.
	(e)  A member of the advisory committee is not entitled to
	compensation or reimbursement for travel expenses.
	(f)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to this
	section.
	(g)  This section expires and the advisory committee is
	abolished December 1, 2019.
	SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
	a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
	federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
	the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
	authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
	waiver or authorization is granted.
	SECTION 4.  The Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board may
	begin enrollment in the ABLE program as soon as reasonably
	practical to allow sufficient time for successful development and
	implementation of the ABLE program.
	SECTION 5.  Not later than December 1, 2015, the comptroller
	shall appoint the members of the ABLE program advisory committee as
	required by Section 54.917, Education Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1664 passed the Senate on
	April 15, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
	the Senate concurred in House amendments on May 28, 2015, by the
	following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1664 passed the House, with
	amendments, on May 24, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 138,
	Nays 1, two present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor