New Hampshire HB 1443: relative to a jury's determination as to the applicability of a law.

Bill Text

HB 1443-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2733

 06/08

HOUSE BILL 1443-FN

AN ACT allowing retired state employees to defer earned retirement medical benefits to their surviving spouse.

SPONSORS: Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Tom Mannion, Hills. 1

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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ANALYSIS

 This bill clarifies that the state’s payment of a premium or partial premium for retiree medical coverage applies to each Medicare‑eligible retired employee and/or the employee’s spouse.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2733

 06/

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT allowing retired state employees to defer earned retirement medical benefits to their surviving spouse.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 Medical and Surgical Benefits. Amend RSA 21-I:30, II to read as follows: 

 II. The state shall pay a premium or partial premium for each Medicare-eligible retired employee, as defined in paragraphs VI and VII of this section, and/or his or her spouse for their lifetimes, toward group hospitalization, hospital medical care, surgical care and other medical benefits plan or a self-funded alternative within the limits of the funds appropriated at each legislative session and providing any change in plan is approved by the fiscal committee of the general court, after a duly noticed public hearing on any proposed changes to the plan is held before the fiscal committee, prior to its adoption. Retired employees who are eligible for Medicare may voluntarily cease participation in plan benefits at any time and may reenroll without restriction. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. 

 LBA

 26-2733

 11/24/25

HB 1443-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT allowing retired state employees to defer earned retirement medical benefits to their surviving spouse.

FISCAL IMPACT: This bill does not provide funding, nor does it authorize new positions.

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

Indeterminable

 Revenue Fund(s)

Internal Service Fund

 Expenditures*

$0

Indeterminable

 Funding Source(s)

Agency Income and Agency Transfer

 Appropriations*

$0

$0

$0

$0

 Funding Source(s)

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

METHODOLOGY:

This bill clarifies that the state's contribution toward retiree medical premiums applies to each Medicare-eligible retired employee and/or their spouse.

The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) states that if the bill’s intent is to confirm that surviving spouses are entitled to lifetime health benefits, there would be no fiscal impact on the Retiree Health Benefit Plan, as these individuals are already eligible.

However, if the bill aims to grant spouses independent eligibility regardless of whether the retiree elects coverage, the fiscal impact would be indeterminable and potentially significant. DAS cannot estimate how many spouses would enroll or determine how many would be Medicare-eligible versus non-Medicare-eligible.

DAS notes that during calendar year 2026 the state will contribute $1,213.12 per month for each person enrolled in the non-Medicare retiree health plan, and $197.85 per month for each person in the Medicare retiree health plan who are required to pay a premium. 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Administrative Services