Substitute House Bill No. 6999 mandates a study by the Comptroller, in collaboration with various state departments and trade associations, to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of allowing trade associations to pool their memberships for group health insurance plans through a multiple employer welfare arrangement. The study, which must be completed by February 1, 2026, will include key information such as the number of employees covered, estimated premiums, contributions to health savings accounts, and legislative recommendations. Importantly, the report will not disclose any identifying information about the organizations involved. The bill also introduces new legal language that requires the Comptroller to work with the Office of Policy and Management and the Insurance Department, as well as selected interested parties, to ensure comprehensive analysis.

In addition to the study, the bill amends existing reporting requirements for nonstate public employers, mandating them to submit annual reports detailing employee coverage under health care plans, types of coverage, premiums, contributions to health savings accounts, and retirement plan information. The Comptroller is tasked with summarizing and analyzing these reports annually, starting January 1, 2026. The effective date for the study provision is immediate upon passage, while the amendments to the reporting requirements will take effect on October 1, 2025. The bill also includes a deletion of previous reporting requirements, streamlining the process for nonstate public employers while enhancing the data collected for better oversight and analysis.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 3-123xxx
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 3-123xxx
File No. 316: 3-123xxx
File No. 975: 3-123xxx