2011 Senate Bill 683 / 2012 Public Act 64

Pre-fund (optional) state retiree health benefits

Introduced in the Senate

Sept. 20, 2011

Introduced by Sen. Roger Kahn (R-32)

To provide a template or "place holder" for a potential supplemental multidepartment appropriation for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.This bill contains no appropriations, but may be amended at a later date to include them.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Feb. 16, 2012

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one with actual appropriations.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Feb. 21, 2012

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

To appropriate $250.9 million to "pre-fund" optional post-retirement health insurance benefits the legislature has chosen to give state government retirees. Under current law, these benefits are paid each year out of regular state government revenue. Unlike pensions, the Supreme Court has ruled these are not "accrued benefits" and so may be eliminated or cut at any time; former employees who get them are still eligible for Medicare at age 65.

Received in the House

Feb. 21, 2012

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Feb. 29, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 8, 2012

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Ellen Lipton (D-27)

To automatically transfer any unspent money in the state "general fund" to the state "school aid fund" at the end of the fiscal year.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Chuck Moss (R-40)

To revise details of fund transfers specified in the bill.

The amendment passed by voice vote

March 13, 2012

Passed in the House 109 to 0 (details)

To appropriate $250.9 million to "pre-fund" optional post-retirement health insurance benefits the legislature has chosen to give state government retirees. Under current law, these benefits are paid each year out of regular state government revenue. Unlike pensions, the Supreme Court has ruled these are not "accrued benefits" and so may be eliminated or cut at any time; former employees who get them are still eligible for Medicare at age 65.

Received in the Senate

March 14, 2012

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

March 27, 2012