During today’s floor session six bills passed in the Senate. Among those bills was Senate Bill 469, relating to other post employment-benefits. This bill would create a plan to fund the state portion of the health care benefits to for state retirees. This will potentially eliminate the remaining $5 billion unfunded liability. This bill includes a multi part provision. These provisions include a plan which will take $35 million a year from personal income tax collections. Under the proposal, $30 million a year would go into a fund to pay down the remaining $5 billion of long-term OPEB liability. Another $5 million a year would go into a trust fund to assist employees hired after July 1, 2010. The bill would also systematize that the PEIA Director annually report to the Legislature as well as administer programs in a way that would reduce system costs. The bill now heads to the House for its consideration.
In addition to the passage of the OPEB bill, 10 bills were introduced. Among them was Senate Bill 477, which would limit the possession of wild and exotic animals.
The following committees will meet today:
Finance 3 P.M. – 451M
Judiciary 3 P.M. – 208W
Natural Resources 1 P.M. – 208W
The following committees will meet tomorrow:
Finance 9:30 A.M. – 451M
The Senate is adjourned until 11 A.M. tomorrow.
