Senate amendments make the following changes to the 6th edition, as amended.

Part XXI.  Department of the State Treasurer

Section 21.3 

Amendment #27 authorizes the Department of State Treasurer to use up to $559,000 of the allocations to the Retirement for Fire and Rescue Squad Workers to fund an audit of the employment and membership history of the Firefighter's and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund. Further provides that the funds can be used to upload the results of the audit into the ORBIT system and to update data collection and processes involving agency turnaround documents as recommended by the Program Evaluation Division. Makes conforming changes. 

Part XX. Department of Insurance

Section 20.1

Amendment #28 enacts GS 58-3-181, Synchronization of prescription refills, requiring every health benefit plan that provides prescription drug coverage to provide for a program for the synchronization of medication when the insured, the provider, and pharmacist agree that synchronization for the treatment of a chronic illness is in the best interest of the insured. Sets out six requirements for medications, that once met, requires the health benefit plan above to provide for synchronization, including that the medications are covered by the clinical coverage policy and the medications are not a Schedule II controlled substance or a Schedule III controlled substance containing hydrocodone. Provides that health benefit plans must, when applicable to allow synchronization, apply a prorated daily cost-sharing rate to medication dispensed by network pharmacies and prohibits the prorating of any dispensing fee in lieu of basing the fee on an individual prescription filled or refilled. Sets out definitions for use in the section.  Effective January 1, 2016, applying to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.

Part V. Other Appropriations

Section 5.2

Amendment #29 enacts GS 18C-174, Use of public assistance funds, prohibiting the North Carolina State Lottery Commission (Commission) and lottery game retailers from accepting public assistance funds for the purchase of lottery tickets or for participation in any lottery game. Directs the Commission to adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section.