Georgia-2009-SR1225-Introduced

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide for the allocation of a percent of premium taxes collected to offset losses of the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Constitution is amended by adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:

"(o) Beginning on or after July 1, 2012, the General Assembly is authorized to provide by general law for the allocation of an amount not to exceed 1/4 of 1 percent of premium taxes collected to offset losses of the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool. The General Assembly is authorized to provide by general law for the allocation of this percentage of collected premium taxes to the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool, as provided by law, for the specified purpose of meeting any and all costs, or any portion of the costs, of providing for an alternative mechanism for the availability of individual health insurance coverage to the citizens of this state who do not qualify for other health insurance coverages. Moneys appropriated for such purposes shall not lapse. The General Assembly may provide by general law for the administration of such fund by such authority as the General Assembly shall determine. Such general law shall provide that any moneys allocated for the purposes stated in this subparagraph are limited to only the extent required to maintain solvency and current operation of the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool and shall be certified by the state auditor."

The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:

"( ) YES

( ) NO

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly beginning on or after July 1, 2012, to provide for an amount not to exceed 1/4 of 1 percent of premium taxes collected in this state to be allocated to the Georgia High Risk Individual Reinsurance Pool?"

All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.