Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 36–
Committee on Government Affairs

 

May 24, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

SUMMARY—Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study of Public Employees’ Benefits Program. (BDR R‑1555)

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Directing the Legislative Commission to conduct an interim study of the Public Employees’ Benefits Program.

 

1-1    Whereas, The Public Employees’ Benefits Program provides various

1-2  types of insurance coverage and other benefits for most of the active and

1-3  retired state employees and for many other active and retired employees of

1-4  local governmental entities; and

1-5    Whereas, Many retired employees depend on the Public Employees’

1-6  Benefits Program for their primary or supplemental health coverage and

1-7  have been disproportionately affected by increases in their premium rates

1-8  and reductions in benefits; and

1-9    Whereas, With the changes in demographics in state employment, the

1-10  proportion of retired employees participating in the Program is likely to

1-11  increase significantly in the future; and

1-12    Whereas, During the immediately preceding legislative session, the

1-13  Legislature granted large groups of participants the ability to leave the

1-14  Program in certain circumstances; and

1-15    Whereas, The particular components of the package of benefits offered

1-16  by the Program, such as the level of deductibles and copayments, can affect

1-17  significantly the quantity and quality of benefits received by participants in

1-18  the Program; and

1-19    Whereas, The Program has experienced significant turnover in its

1-20  management staff recently; and

1-21    Whereas, The financial stability and actuarial soundness of the

1-22  Program is of vital importance to its participants and the State of Nevada;

1-23  now, therefore, be it

1-24    Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

1-25  Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

1-26  appoint a committee of legislators to conduct an interim study of the Public

1-27  Employees’ Benefits Program; and be it further

1-28    Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation:

2-1    1.  An evaluation of the types of benefits offered by the Public

2-2  Employees’ Benefits Program, including, without limitation, pharmacy

2-3  benefits;

2-4    2.  An examination of the rate design of the Program;

2-5    3.  Consideration of issues relating to retired employees who participate

2-6  in the Program;

2-7    4.  An evaluation of the effect of the withdrawal of large groups of

2-8  participants from the Program; and

2-9    5.  An examination of the management, financial stability and actuarial

2-10  soundness of the Program; and be it further

2-11    Resolved, That any legislation proposed by the interim committee

2-12  must be approved by a majority of the members of the Senate and a

2-13  majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the interim

2-14  committee; and be it further

2-15    Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of

2-16  the results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the

2-17  72nd session of the Nevada Legislature.

 

2-18  H