Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB484

Introduced
2/9/24  
Refer
2/12/24  
Introduced
2/9/24  
Report Pass
2/16/24  
Refer
2/12/24  

Caption

State's Employee Benefit Plan Council; establish health savings accounts and continually provide for education or salary reductions for such accounts; require

Impact

If enacted, SB484 would significantly impact the administration of employee benefits for state workers, promoting a broader understanding and accessibility of health savings accounts. Starting January 1, 2025, the council is tasked with ensuring that HSAs are an ongoing component of flexible employee benefit plans. This change could provide public employees with enhanced financial tools to manage their healthcare expenses, reflecting a shift towards more personalized health benefit solutions.

Summary

Senate Bill 484 aims to amend Georgia's Employee Benefit Plan Council regulations by specifically requiring the establishment of health savings accounts (HSAs) for state employees, including public school teachers. This legislation mandates that the council continually provide options for education regarding these accounts and allow for salary reductions to facilitate their funding. The introduction of HSAs is intended to enhance the flexibility of employee benefits, offering more personalized options for employees regarding health-related expenses.

Contention

While the objective behind SB484 is widely recognized as an effort to enhance employee benefits, there may be contention over the effectiveness of HSAs in addressing the varying needs of all public employees. Critics may argue that HSAs could favor higher-income employees who can afford to contribute significant amounts, potentially sidelining lower-income individuals who may not have the means to effectively utilize such accounts. Additionally, concerns may be raised regarding the implications for public budget allocations when implementing these plans, particularly in terms of the educational components mandated by the legislation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

GA SB267

State's Employee Benefit Plan Council; establish health savings accounts and to continually provide for education or salary reductions for such accounts; require

GA SB199

State's Employee Benefit Plan Council; council to establish health savings accounts; require

GA HB2064

Establishing the Kansas employee emergency savings account (KEESA) program to allow eligible employers to establish employee savings accounts, providing an income and privilege tax credit for certain eligible employer deposits to such employee savings accounts and providing a subtraction modification for certain employee deposits to such savings accounts.

GA HB2090

Establishing the Kansas employee emergency savings account (KEESA) program to allow eligible employers to establish employee savings accounts, providing an income and privilege tax credit for certain eligible employer deposits to such employee savings accounts and providing a subtraction modification for certain employee deposits to such savings accounts.

GA SB282

Enacting the Kansas retirement investment and savings plan (KRISP) act and establishing terms, conditions, requirements, membership elections, accounts, benefits, contributions and distributions related to such plan.

GA SB230

Enacting the Kansas thrift savings plan act and establishing terms, conditions, requirements, membership elections, accounts, benefits, contributions and distributions related to such act.

GA HF5123

Education savings accounts established, and rules required.

GA HF1109

Education savings accounts established, and rules required.

GA SB2125

State employees; authorize the state to offer health savings accounts to.

GA SB494

Enacting the adoption savings account act, allowing individuals to establish adoption savings accounts with certain financial institutions, providing eligible expenses, requirements and restrictions for such accounts and establishing addition and subtraction modifications for contributions to such accounts under the Kansas income tax act.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.