PARTICIPATION BY TEXAS TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

(a) An individual may participate in the group benefits program as an annuitant, subject to Section 1551.1055, and may obtain coverage for the individual's dependents as any other participating annuitant if the individual:

(1) began employment with, or became an officer of, the Texas Turnpike Authority within the three-year period preceding August 31, 1997;

(2) was an officer or employee of the Texas Turnpike Authority on August 31, 1997;

(3) became an officer or employee of the North Texas Tollway Authority on September 1, 1997; and

(4) retires or is eligible to retire with at least 10 years of service credit under the proportionate retirement program established by Chapter 803, Government Code, or under a public retirement system to which Chapter 803 applies and is at least 65 years of age.

(b) The North Texas Tollway Authority is responsible for payment of the contributions the state would make if the annuitant were a state employee.

(c) Subject to Section 1551.323, an individual and the individual's dependents are eligible to participate in the group benefits program as an annuitant and the dependents of an annuitant as described under this section if the individual:

(1) served in a position described by Subsection (a) on or before August 31, 2003; and

(2) at the time of retirement meets the requirements for eligibility for participation in the program as an annuitant as those requirements existed on August 31, 2003.