2007 Senate Bill 868

Replace lifetime legislator health insurance with graduated benefit

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 1, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-30)

To replace the lifetime health insurance benefit granted to legislators who have spent six years in office and have reached the age of 55 with a graduated or graded system that would pay 30 percent of the premium after four years in office and another six percent for each additional year until the maximum number of 14 years in office under the (current) term limits law, at which point 90 percent of the health insurance premium cost would be paid by the state. This would only apply to lawmakers elected beginning in 2008, and not to ones who are already in office.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Reform

Nov. 8, 2007

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

Nov. 8, 2007

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Investigations

Dec. 6, 2007

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 13, 2007

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that authorizes less generous benefits.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 103 to 2 (details)

To replace the lifetime health insurance benefit granted to legislators who have spent 10 years in office and have reached the age of 55 with a graduated or graded system that would pay 30 percent of the premium after 10 years in office and another three percent for each additional year until 90 percent of the health insurance premium cost would be paid by the state after 30 years. Note: Under the (current) term limits law, the maximum length of time a legislator can be in office is 14 years. The bill would also apply to lieutenant governors, who might add another eight years in office to this.) This would only apply to lawmakers elected beginning in 2008, and not to ones who are already in office.