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Bill

S 1880

Directs the commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services to conduct a study on the state's COVID-19 pandemic response

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Walczyk

Raises two references from 75% to 80% in G.L. c. 32A, §8, boosting the GIC share and likely reducing member premiums while raising state/employer costs.

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
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Bill Summary · S 1880

Summary — S.1880 (2025) — "An Act establishing fairness in GIC premium contributions"

Status: Filed Jan 17, 2025; introduced in the Massachusetts Senate. Referred to committee(s); hearings scheduled.
Primary sponsor (filed): Sen. Paul W. Mark (Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin & Hampshire)

Note on source materials: the materials provided include inconsistent metadata (an alternate title referring to a COVID‑19 study and a list of U.S. Senate cosponsors). The authoritative bill text included in the packet is a Massachusetts state bill titled “An Act establishing fairness in GIC premium contributions”; this summary is based on that text.

Purpose / intent

The bill seeks to adjust the numeric contribution percentage used in the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) statute (chapter 32A, section 8) — nominally to “establish fairness in GIC premium contributions.” The change increases a percentage figure in two places from 75 to 80.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends section 8 of chapter 32A of the Massachusetts General Laws (as in the 2022 Official Edition) by:
    • Replacing the word “seventy‑five” with “eighty” at line 6 of that section.
    • Replacing the word “seventy‑five” with “eighty” at line 12 of that section.
  • No other changes are made in the text provided.

In short: the bill increases two statutory references to “75” percent to “80” percent within §8.

Practical effect / who is affected

  • Primary affected parties: members and beneficiaries covered by the Group Insurance Commission (state employees, certain retirees and their dependents, and other statutory enrollees) and the GIC itself.
  • Fiscal impacts depend on what §8 currently ties the percentage to (for example, the share of premiums paid by the GIC, employer/employee premium splits, or contribution formulas for particular groups). By changing 75% to 80%, the bill would increase the share represented by that percentage — likely reducing the portion paid directly by covered individuals and increasing costs borne by the GIC (and ultimately the Commonwealth and/or participating employers).
  • Budgetary implications: potential increase in state or employer health insurance expenditures and a corresponding reduction in direct member premium payments; the magnitude depends on enrollment and current premium levels.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed/Presented: Jan 17, 2025 (Senate docket no. 1989 / S.1880).
  • Legislative actions recorded include referral to committees (Public Service; Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs noted) and hearings scheduled for June 4, 2025. The provided record contains some duplicate/contradictory committee referrals and other metadata irregularities.
  • If enacted, the statutory text would change immediately as specified in the amendment (no effective date specified in the provided text).

If you want, I can:
- Look up the current text of G.L. c.32A §8 to say exactly what the percentage applies to and estimate fiscal impact, or
- Draft a one‑page fiscal note outline showing likely budget effects under different assumptions.

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

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