Bill Summaries: all (2017-2018 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Mar 1 2017 - View summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Modifies the appointment of members of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Unfunded Liability of the Retiree Health Benefit Fund (Committee), established by this act, providing for five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and five members of the House to be appointed by the Speaker of the House (previous edition provided for appointments upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker, respectively, with one of those members from each chamber serving as cochair). Provides that the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker are to each designate a member to serve as cochair of the Committee. Adds that members of the Committee serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer and continue to serve until a successor is appointed.  Requires the Committee to meet upon the joint call of the cochairs (previously, required to meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs). Establishes that a quorum of the Committee is five voting members. Deletes provision requiring expenses relating to the clerical staff of the Committee be borne by the Committee. Instead adds provisions pertaining to all expenses of the Committee, providing that all expenses of the Committee are to be paid from the Legislative Services Commission's Reserve for Studies. Sets out that individual expenses of Committee members of $5,000 or less, as well as clerical expenses, are to be paid upon the authorization of a cochair of the Committee, and individual member expenses in excess of $5,000 are to be paid upon the written approval of the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker.


  • Summary date: Jan 26 2017 - View summary

    Creates the Joint Legislative Committee on the Unfunded Liability of the Retiree Health and Benefit Fund (the Committee). Sets out the membership of the Committee to be 13 total members, with five each appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, with the State Treasurer and the Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan, or their designees, and a representative of the Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees selected by the Board, serving as ex officio nonvoting members. Provides that cochairs are to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker from the Committee’s membership.

    Provides additional requirements regarding the setting of meetings, staffing, and the general operation of the Task Force.

    Directs the Committee to examine seven specified options for reducing the unfunded liability of the Retiree Health Benefit Fund (Fund), including increasing the Fund’s assets through appropriation by the General Assembly, increasing the costs of retiree benefits borne by the federal government, transitioning the retiree benefit to a defined contribution model, reducing the number of those eligible for the benefit by increasing the service time requirements for the benefit or eliminating certain groups, requiring employees to contribute to the Fund, and increasing the amount that retirees pay for their health benefits by increasing premiums or out-of-pocket costs.

    Requires the Committee to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the 2018 General Assembly. Requires the Commission to terminate upon the filing of its final report or upon the convening of the 2018 General Assembly, whichever occurs first.