The bill amends and reenacts sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to health insurance benefits coverage provided by the uniform group insurance program. Key changes include the clarification of definitions, such as the inclusion of "health insurance benefits coverage" which now encompasses both hospital and medical benefits, and the introduction of a "nongrandfathered health plan" as defined under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill also modifies the structure of the uniform group insurance program, allowing for the division into subgroups based on employee status and eligibility, and specifies the premium structures for retired employees not eligible for Medicare.

Additionally, the bill provides an appropriation of $1,442,991 from the general fund and $1,851,509 from other funds to the Office of Management and Budget for a health insurance premium pool to help cover cost increases related to health insurance premiums for state agencies. It expresses legislative intent for the public employees retirement system to utilize funds from the health insurance reserve fund to assist with premium increases resulting from the bill's provisions. The effective date for the amendments is set for January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, 54-52.1-03.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Davison: 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, 54-52.1-03.1
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, 54-52.1-03.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations Committee: 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, 54-52.1-03.1
Enrollment: 54-52.1-01, 54-52.1-02, 54-52.1-03.1