NJ S4999

Removes language from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act that required $100 million in actuarially verifiable cost savings for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) during the first six months of Plan Year 2026

Eliminates the requirement for the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee (SHBPDC) to submit cost savings proposals to the plan actuary by July 31, 2025, with verification and voting deadlines through September 30, 2025

Removes the mandated mediation and conciliation process under P.L.2011, c.78 that would have been triggered if the SHBPDC failed to reach agreement on cost savings by September 30, 2025

Eliminates the fallback mechanism requiring the Legislature to revise the statutory framework by December 1, 2025, or have designated representatives (including potentially the Executive Director of the Office of Legislative Services) select cost-saving changes by December 15, 2025

Applies to both Direct State Services and Grants-in-Aid appropriations under the Employee Benefits program classification