House Memorial 44

HOUSE MEMORIAL 44

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Raymundo Lara

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE RISING COSTS OF INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THE GROUP INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL INSURANCE AUTHORITY ACT DURING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE INTERIM.

 

     WHEREAS, the legislature enacted the Public School Insurance Authority Act to provide comprehensive core insurance programs, including reimbursement coverage for the costs of providing due process to students with disabilities, for all participating schools, school board members, school board retirees and public school employees and retirees by expanding the pool of subscribers to maximize cost containment opportunities for required insurance coverage; and

     WHEREAS, the Public School Insurance Authority Act provides for the following group insurance contributions for school districts, charter schools and other participating entities:

          A. at least eighty percent of the cost of the insurance of an employee whose annual salary is less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000);

          B. at least seventy percent of the cost of the insurance of an employee whose annual salary is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more but less than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000); and

          C. at least sixty percent of the cost of the insurance of an employee whose annual salary is sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) or more; and

     WHEREAS, due to the rising costs of medical care, an aging workforce and the prevalence of chronic illness, health insurance premiums have increased and are projected to continue to increase; and

     WHEREAS, although the legislature has increased the salaries of school employees in recent years, the increase in insurance premiums may interfere with the legislature's intent for previous and future salary increases for school employees;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to convene a working group to study the rising costs of insurance premiums for school employees and the group insurance contributions provided for in the Public School Insurance Authority Act during the 2025 legislative interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group consist of representatives of relevant state agencies, including the public education department, the department of finance and administration and the general services department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group also include a representative of the public school insurance authority and representatives of school districts and charter schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee prepare a written report of the working group's findings and recommendations and submit copies of the report to the governor and the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee for distribution to prospective members of the working group.

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