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 definition of "Carrier," which now specifies that it includes insurance companies and nonprofit organizations authorized to provide hospital or medical benefits coverage. The definition of "Health insurance benefits coverage" has been expanded to include both hospital and medical benefits, and a new definition for "Nongrandfathered health plan" has been added, clarifying that it refers to plans that do not qualify as grandfathered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Additionally, the bill outlines the structure of the uniform group insurance program, emphasizing the inclusion of eligible and retired employees and detailing the premium structures for various employee groups.

The bill also provides an appropriation of $1,442,991 from the general fund and $1,851,509 from other funds for a health insurance premium pool to help state agencies manage health insurance premium cost increases for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. It expresses legislative intent for the public employees retirement system to utilize funds from the health insurance reserve fund to cover increases in health benefits premiums 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