2011 House Bill 4792 / Public Act 99

Spend-down underfunded retired legislator health benefits fund

Introduced in the House

June 16, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Chuck Moss (R-40)

To repeal a provision that prohibits spending money in a retired legislator health benefit prefunding account until its unfunded liabilities are covered. In other words, they could start using the money right now to pay current retired legislator health care costs. According to the Senate Fiscal Agency, $15 million in a reserve account does not cover the liabilities (which still increase with each new class of lawmakers). Also, many new legislator retirees (they can collect starting at age 55) and a 30 percent cost increase means that $4.2 million appropriated to provide the benefits this year won't cover it.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

June 22, 2011

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 23, 2011

Passed in the House 99 to 11 (details)

To repeal a provision that prohibits spending money in a retired legislator health benefit prefunding account until its unfunded liabilities are covered. In other words, they could start using the money right now to pay current retired legislator health care costs. According to the Senate Fiscal Agency, $15 million in a reserve account does not cover the liabilities (which still increase with each new class of lawmakers). Also, many new legislator retirees (they can collect starting at age 55) and a 30 percent cost increase means that $4.2 million appropriated to provide the benefits this year won't cover it.

Received in the Senate

June 28, 2011

June 30, 2011

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

July 19, 2011