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HB 422

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 422 requires Georgia state employees' health insurance to include high deductible plans, allowing pretax HSA contributions for better financial flexibility.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 422

Summary of House Bill 422

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 422
  • Title: State employees' health insurance; include high deductible health plans
  • Status: Effective Date
  • Introduced: February 12, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 422 aims to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to require the inclusion of high deductible health plans (HDHPs) in the state employees' health insurance program. The bill is designed to provide state employees with more flexible health insurance options and to facilitate contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) through pretax deductions.

Key Provisions

  1. Inclusion of High Deductible Health Plans:

    • The bill mandates that the state employees' health insurance plan must include at least two HDHPs offered by different insurance providers.
    • These plans must be compliant with the definition of HDHPs as outlined in Section 223 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

  2. Health Savings Accounts:

    • Employees enrolled in HDHPs will have the ability to make pretax contributions to HSAs through salary deductions.
    • The State Accounting Office or relevant governmental entities are authorized to facilitate these deductions.

  3. Encouragement for Other Governmental Entities:

    • The bill encourages other governmental entities employing individuals not classified as "covered employees" to offer similar pretax contribution options for their employees enrolled in HDHPs.

  4. Implementation Timeline:

    • By January 1, 2028, at least two HDHPs must be included in the health insurance plan.
    • By January 1, 2026, covered employees must have the ability to make pretax contributions to HSAs.

Affected Parties

  • Covered Employees: Individuals defined under the bill who are eligible for state employee health insurance.
  • Governmental Entities: State and local government employers, including local boards of education, are encouraged to adopt similar provisions for their employees.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was signed by the Governor on May 14, 2025, and became effective on July 1, 2025.
  • It underwent several legislative actions, including:
    • Passed by the House on February 28, 2025.
    • Passed by the Senate with amendments on April 4, 2025.
    • Final agreement on amendments was reached on the same day.

Conclusion

House Bill 422 represents a significant shift in the health insurance options available to state employees in Georgia, promoting the use of high deductible health plans and facilitating contributions to health savings accounts. This legislation aims to enhance the flexibility and financial management of healthcare expenses for state employees.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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