Insurance committee advances bills on retiree eligibility and state contribution cap

The Senate Committee on Insurance & Commerce approved two additional insurance-related measures by voice vote: Senate Bill 85, a technical clarification of retiree eligibility, and Senate Bill 88, which removes a statutory $5.50 cap on the monthly state contribution to the state and public school life and health insurance program and authorizes indexing via a health index or CPI.

Senator Irvin presented SB85 as a clarification of the definition of an "eligible inactive retiree" and a modification of those retirees' eligibility to participate in the state and public school life and health insurance program. After brief questions and no public testimony, Senator Irvin moved SB85 'do pass'; Senator Hickey seconded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.

Later in the meeting Senator Rice presented SB88, which eliminates the current $5.50 cap on the monthly state contribution for budgeted positions and allows the governing board, the board of finance and legislative council to use a health index/CPI to adjust contributions and avoid annual statutory changes. A motion to 'do pass' was recorded and seconded (the record lists the second as Senator Elliott); the committee approved SB88 by voice vote.

All items considered at the meeting received do-pass recommendations and the committee adjourned.