AR HB1098

Requires fiscal impact statements prepared by actuaries for any bill imposing new or increased costs for health benefit plans, including pharmacy benefits, on state entities.

Bills must have the fiscal impact statement attached and filed with the committee chair before the committee can take up the bill.

Allows any member to object to final passage of a bill lacking a fiscal impact statement unless the objection is overridden by a two-thirds vote; if objection stands, the presiding officer must refer the bill to an actuary for a statement within 5 days.

Requires bills affecting the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program to be introduced within the first 15 calendar days of a regular session, unless approved by a three-fourths vote, and prohibits introduction at fiscal or extraordinary sessions unless approved by a two-thirds vote.

Declares an emergency relating to the inadequacy of the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program to provide sustainable affordable health benefits for public school and state employees.