Relating to creation of the Texas Health Insurance Exchange; authorizing a fee.

HB 5455 creates the Texas Health Insurance Exchange, a marketplace where individuals and small employers can shop for qualified health insurance plans. It directly affects Texans seeking coverage in the individual or small group markets (defined as employers with 2-50 employees), as well as small businesses offering health benefits. The bill authorizes a fee to fund the exchange’s operations but does not detail specific fee amounts or collection methods in the provided text. Key provisions include establishing the exchange’s purpose to simplify enrollment in qualified health plans and requiring the board to follow federal Affordable Care Act standards. The bill is currently in committee referral.