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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Campos DATE TYPED: 02/07/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Amend Retiree Health Care Act SB 339
ANALYST: Carrillo


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02

Minimal



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Public School Insurance Authority

Retiree Health Care Authority

Commission on Higher Education



Office of the Attorney General

State Department of Education



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 339 proposes to amend the Retiree Health Care Act to include (provided they have served at least four years):

Significant Issues



SB339 amends the Retiree Health Care Act by creating two additional categories of individuals eligible to participate in the Retiree Health Care Authority (RHCA) program. Former legislators and governing board members (from participating employers) who have served a minimum of four years, and are currently excluded from participation, would be eligible. These new categories of eligible retirees would be subject to a monthly participation fee set by the RHCA board. These retirees would be required to pay a monthly premium equal to one-twelfth of the cost of the claims and administrative costs of the selected plan of health care benefits.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



According the RHCA staff, SB339 would not have an adverse impact on the Retiree Health Care Fund. Legislators and governing board members would pay 100 percent of their costs. The bill will not result in additional costs to the RHCA. Any revenue generation will be negligible.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



RHCA staff notes SB339 would not have an immediate administrative impact. However, over time, there will be a need for additional customer service personnel. The need for additional staff is proportional to the growth of enrollment in the program, currently about 7 percent annually.



WJC/njw