A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create the joint legislative commission on group Health insurance for chambers of commerce.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is hereby created the Joint Legislative Commission on Group Health Insurance for Chambers of Commerce.  The Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of Insurance, shall study whether allowing trade associations to purchase group health insurance will result in health insurance coverage for small employers at more affordable rates and, at the same time, not have an adverse effect on group rates for small employers that are not part of a trade association.  As part of this study, the Commission shall recommend to the General Assembly a design for a pilot project to allow selected chambers of commerce to purchase health insurance from entities authorized to offer insurance in this State beyond what is allowed under current law.  The Commission's recommendation shall address all elements of the pilot project necessary to define it, including, but not limited to, the criteria, scope, and duration of the pilot and the local or geographic dispersion of the pilot area, including Piedmont Triad Chambers of Commerce.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall consist of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one senator as cochair.  Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the same appointing authority as made the initial appointment.
SECTION 3.  The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. The House of Representatives' and the Senate's Supervisors of Clerks shall assign clerical staff to the Commission, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02. If the Commission hires a consultant, the consultant shall not be a State employee or a person currently under contract with the State to provide services.
All State departments and agencies and local governments and their subdivisions shall furnish the Commission with any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 4.  The Commission shall report the results of its study and its recommendations to the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2008 Regular Session of the 2007 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.