1. The health care programs sponsored by the departments of transportation and conservation shall become a part of this plan only upon request to and acceptance by the board of trustees by the highways and transportation commission or the conservation commission and any such transfer into this plan shall be deemed reviewable by such department every three years. Such department may withdraw from the plan upon approval by such department’s commission and by providing the board a minimum of six months’ notice prior to the end of the then current plan year and termination of coverage will become effective at the end of the then current plan year. For any of the foregoing state agencies choosing to participate, the plan shall not assume responsibility for any liabilities incurred by the agency or its eligible employees, retirees, or dependents prior to its effective date.

2. Any participating higher education entity may, by its own election, become part of this plan. The board of trustees shall accept the participating higher education entity. The board of trustees may request the participating higher education entity pay a first year adjustment if the population being brought into the plan is actuarially substantial and materially different than the current population in the state plan. Once a participating higher education entity comes into the plan, it may not leave the plan for a period of five years. Such participating higher education entity may withdraw from the plan upon approval by such participating higher education entity governing board and by providing the board a minimum of six months’ notice prior to the end of the then current plan year and termination of coverage will become effective at the end of the then current plan year. For any of the foregoing participating higher education entities choosing to participate, the plan shall not assume responsibility for any liabilities incurred by the participating higher education entity or its eligible employees, retirees, or dependents prior to its effective date.