H.B. No. 3594 proposes significant amendments to the administration of retirement health care plans for firefighters and police officers in certain Texas municipalities. The bill redefines "beneficiary" to explicitly include retirees and their eligible dependents, introduces new terms such as "default rate" and "months of service," and clarifies that health benefits provided by the fund are exempt from garnishment and legal processes. It establishes the independence of the governing board from municipal control, detailing the composition and terms of board members. Additionally, the bill allows retirees to make lump-sum payments for health benefits instead of monthly contributions and enables members on unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to establish credit for that leave through voluntary contributions.

Further amendments focus on the eligibility and management of health benefits for married members. Retirees can conditionally waive their eligibility for health benefits within 30 days of retirement and can reinstate it within 30 days of a marriage dissolution. The board is also empowered to modify the retiree health plan to allow surviving spouses to maintain coverage after remarriage, even if it increases the fund's actuarial unfunded liability. The bill includes provisions for contributions related to unpaid leave, requiring municipalities to match contributions for members who opt for voluntary payments. Overall, H.B. No. 3594 aims to enhance the clarity and administration of health care benefits for retired firefighters and police officers, ensuring their financial security and access to necessary health care services, with an effective date set for October 1, 2025.