MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Robinson (84th), Reynolds, Barnett (116th), Bourdeaux, Cameron, Chaney, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Cummings, Davis, Dedeaux, Dickson, Eaton, Ellzey, Endt, Flaggs, Formby, Franks, Gibbs, Green (34th), Henderson (26th), Holland, Howell, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Johnson, Ketchings, King, Martinson, McElwain, Miles, Miller, Mitchell, Morris, Moss, Myers, Read, Roberson, Rogers, Scott (80th), Shows, Simmons, Smith (35th), Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Smith (27th), Straughter, Thomas, Thornton, Wallace, Weathersby, West, Young, Fleming

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING CERTAIN RETIRED LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE EMPLOYEES LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROVIDED FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, retired employees of a local institution, department or agency and elected county officials who do not run for reelection or who are defeated before being entitled to receive a retirement allowance deserve to participate in the State Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan in the same manner as provided for retired state employees; and

WHEREAS, at the present time, such employees have difficulty in maintaining their insurance into retirement; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Administration, in conjunction with the Public Employees retirement System, is the appropriate agency to conduct such a study and to report the findings to the Mississippi Legislature:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby memorialize the Mississippi Legislature to require the Department of Finance and Administration, in conjunction with the Public Employees Retirement System, to conduct a comprehensive study of the feasibility of allowing retired employees of a local institution, department or agency and elected county officials who do not run for reelection, or who are defeated before being entitled to receive a retirement allowance, to participate in the State Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan in the same manner as provided for retired state employees; to require the department to prepare and present to the Senate and House Insurance Committees by December 15, 1999, the results of the study and to include a proposed implementation timetable and potential actuarial effects on the existing state employee health plan; to require that the department use existing staff resources and those of other agencies to conduct this study; and to require that the department shall not employ a consultant or contractor other than an actuary to conduct this study.