Section 54-35-02.4 - Employee benefits programs committee - Powers and duties1. During each interim, the employee benefits programs committee shall consider and report on the legislative proposals over which the committee takes jurisdiction and which fiscally impact the retirement programs of state employees or employees of any political subdivision, and health and retiree health plans of state employees or employees of any political subdivision. A majority of the members of the committee has sole authority to determine whether a legislative proposal affects a program. The committee shall make a thorough review of each proposal the committee takes under its jurisdiction, including an actuarial report. The committee shall take jurisdiction over a proposal that authorizes an automatic increase or other change in benefits beyond the ensuing biennium which would not require legislative approval. The committee shall include in the report of the committee a statement that the proposal would allow future changes without legislative involvement. The committee shall report the findings and recommendations of the committee, along with any necessary legislation, to the legislative management and to the legislative assembly.2. To carry out the responsibilities of the committee, the committee, or the designee of the committee, may: a. Enter contracts, including retainer agreements, with an actuary or actuarial firm for expert assistance and consultation. Each retirement, insurance, or retiree insurance program shall pay, from the program's retirement, insurance, or retiree health benefits fund, as appropriate, and without the need for a prior appropriation, the cost of an actuarial report required under this section which relates to that program.b. Call on personnel from state agencies or political subdivisions to furnish such information and render such assistance as the committee from time to time may request.c. Establish rules for the operation of the committee, including the submission and review of proposals and the establishing of standards for actuarial reports.3. The committee may solicit draft measures and proposals from interested persons during the interim between legislative sessions, and also may study measures and proposals referred to the committee by the legislative assembly or the legislative management.4. A copy of the committee's report concerning a legislative measure, if that measure is introduced for consideration by a legislative assembly, must be appended to the copy of that measure.5. If a legislative measure affecting a public employees retirement program, public employees health insurance program, or public employee retiree health insurance program is introduced in either house without a report from the committee, the chairman and vice chairman of the employee benefits programs committee shall request an actuarial report from the program affected and shall provide the report to the standing committee to which the measure is referred. During the legislative session, the employee benefits programs committee chairman and vice chairman, working together, have sole authority to determine whether a legislative measure or amendment affects a program under this subsection and subsection 6.6. During a legislative session, if an amendment is made to a legislative measure which fiscally impacts a public employees retirement program, public employees health insurance program, or public employee retiree health insurance program, the employee benefits programs committee chairman and vice chairman shall request from the affected program an actuarial report on the amendment and shall provide the report to the standing committee to which the bill is referred.7. Legislation enacted in contravention of this section is invalid, and any benefits provided under the legislation must be reduced to the level current before enactment of the legislation.Amended by S.L. 2023, ch. 479 (HB 1539),§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2017 , ch. 22( HB 1023 ), § 8, eff. 7/1/2017. but vetoed by the governor..