House votes to end certain retired-legislator and governor group health benefit

Representative David Clark presented House Bill 216, which would modify the group health insurance benefit available to retired governors and legislators and require those eligible to make decisions by the end of the calendar year. Clark framed the bill as a matter of fairness: "we have asked part of our state employees to tighten their belt. It seems appropriate that we ask us to do the same," he said.

Opponents and questioners pushed back on whether the bill effectively takes away an earned benefit and whether current legislators and retirees should be grandfathered. Representative McGee said she would vote against it, arguing the bill could push experienced people out of public service. Representative Hansen proposed an amendment to grandfather those currently serving; Clark said he would oppose that amendment and the motion to grandfather failed on the floor.

Supporters including Representative Wyatt said the change is a matter of integrity and fairness to state workers. Representative Morgan asked for the fiscal volume of participants; Clark cited a fiscal-note figure with about $120,200 in premiums for 24 retired legislators for fiscal year 2005. After previous-question calls and debate, the House passed the bill 57 yes, 14 no, 4 absent and referred it to the Senate for further consideration.

The floor debate covered compensation norms, the limited number of retirees using the benefit, concerns about unintended retirements if benefits are rescinded without grandfathering, and the procedural options for amending the bill.