AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study relating to providing uniform group insurance program health insurance benefits coverage for retired peace officers.
Summary
HB 1371 does not directly change health insurance benefits for retired peace officers. Instead, it directs the Legislative Management to study whether and how the state’s uniform group insurance program could provide health insurance coverage for retired peace officers during the 2025-26 interim. The study is to examine benefit design, premium costs, retirement eligibility, years of service requirements, Medicare eligibility, and the possible creation of a retired peace officer health insurance pool.
The bill also requires the study to evaluate fiscal effects on the state and political subdivisions, including potential impacts on postemployment benefit liabilities in state financial reporting. Legislative Management must report its findings and any recommended legislation to the 70th Legislative Assembly, meaning the measure is primarily a research and policy-development directive rather than an immediate benefit expansion.
Impact
HB 1371 would affect the Public Employees Retirement System and the state’s uniform group insurance program by initiating a formal review of whether retired peace officers should receive health insurance benefits through that system. Because it is a study bill, it does not itself create new eligibility rules, premiums, or coverage obligations, but it could lead to future legislation affecting state and local government benefit costs, retirement administration, and accounting for unfunded postemployment liabilities.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable but not unanimous support. It passed the House 57-32 and the Senate 45-1, suggesting broad legislative interest in studying the issue while also indicating some concern about the policy direction or potential fiscal implications. The strong Senate vote in particular suggests the concept of examining benefits for retired peace officers was well received overall.
Contention
The main points of contention likely center on cost, eligibility, and whether the state should expand benefits for a specific retiree group. The bill explicitly asks the study to consider premium costs, years of service limits, Medicare coordination, impacts on recruitment and retention, and the effect on unfunded liability, which signals that fiscal exposure and fairness among employee groups are key concerns. Opposition in the House may have reflected hesitation about creating expectations for future benefits or about the potential burden on the state and political subdivisions.
AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study relating to providing uniform group insurance program health insurance benefits coverage for retired peace officers.
Health insurance benefits coverage provided by the uniform group insurance program; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a statement of legislative intent; and to provide an effective date.
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, and 54-52.1-03.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to health insurance benefits coverage provided by the uniform group insurance program; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a statement of legislative intent; and to provide an effective date.
Prior authorization for health insurance; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an effective date.
AN ACT to create and enact chapter 26.1-36.12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to prior authorization for health insurance; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an effective date.
Peace officer and firefighter duty disability benefits including employer providing of health insurance coverage to peace office time period limitations provision, peace officer or firefighter waiving the right to continued health insurance coverage prohibition provision, and attorney fees limitations provision