HB 4319 Summary

• Amends the Judges Retirement Act of 1992 to establish health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) for judges and modify contribution requirements for retirement benefits.

• Creates a medical benefit account within the reserve for health benefits allowing eligible judges (circuit, district, and probate court judges) to make voluntary contributions up to specified limits, with employer pickup of contributions on a salary-reduction basis.

• Establishes mandatory 2% contributions to health reimbursement accounts for HRA members beginning on the HRA effective date (not sooner than 1 year after enactment and upon IRS certification that the plan remains tax-qualified).

• Modifies health benefits funding by redirecting member contributions from the reserve for health benefits to a funding account and allows court fee funds to support health care costs for retirees and trial court operational expenses.

• Specifies that the amendments do not create new entitlements to health care benefits and do not restrict the state's ability to modify or eliminate existing or future health care benefits.