HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

546

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to convene a task force in the department of budget and finance to examine the unfunded liability of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund task force within the department of budget and finance for administrative purposes to consist of the following members:

     (1)  Two members from the house of representatives selected by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (2)  Two members from the senate selected by the senate president;

     (3)  Four members representing the State's unions;

     (4)  One member representing public employee retirees;

     (5)  The director of finance, or the director's designee;

     (6)  One member from the Hawaii Council of Mayors; and

     (7)  One member from the Hawaii State Association of Counties.

     The director of finance, or the director's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2014.

     (b)  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.  No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of that task force.

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund task force shall examine the unfunded liability of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund, including:

     (1)  The current and projected unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund;

     (2)  The availability of medical benefits plans other than plans that pay or reimburse medical services providers under a fee-for-service model; provided that the task force shall explore alternative medical benefits plans;

     (3)  The costs and benefits of alternative medical benefits plans in relation to the medical benefits plans currently offered by the trust fund;

     (4)  An evaluation of the costs and process of transitioning from the current medical benefits plans to an alternative medical benefits plan, including recommended proposed legislation; and

     (5)  Any other matters that are relevant to gaining a full and meaningful understanding of the circumstance of the trust fund.

     SECTION 4.  The director of finance, in consultation with the task force, shall submit a report to the legislature, including findings, recommendations, and implementing draft legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 to support the work of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund task force, including necessary travel expenses for task force members who reside outside of Oahu and consulting services of persons knowledgeable in relevant issues.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 



 

Report Title:

Hawaii Employer-union Health Benefits Trust Fund; Task Force; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund task force within the department of budget and finance to examine the unfunded liability of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.  Makes an appropriation for the task force.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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