AN ACT to create a joint legislative committee on medicaid sustainability.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is established the Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Sustainability (Committee).

SECTION 2.  The Committee consists of 12 members as follows: six senators are appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Six representatives are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint a cochair of the Committee from among its membership. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the appointing authority.

SECTION 3.  The purpose of the Committee is to consider various ways in which the existing North Carolina Medicaid program could be modified to respond to any decreases in federal support for the Medicaid program in order to maintain current State funding levels. These modifications may include:

(1)        Reduction or elimination of optional services.

(2)        Reduction or elimination of optional eligibility groups.

(3)        Additional or increased provider assessments.

(4)        Reduction of reimbursement rates.

(5)        Strategies for achieving managed care efficiencies.

(6)        Any other opportunities for cost‑savings.

SECTION 4.  The Committee shall meet upon the call of its cochairs. A quorum of the Committee is a majority of its members. No action may be taken except by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Committee, while in discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.

SECTION 5.  The Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist the Committee in its work. The Director of Legislative Assistants of the House of Representatives and the Director of Legislative Assistants of the Senate shall assign clerical support staff to the Committee.

SECTION 6.  Members of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowance as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as appropriate. Any expenses of the Committee shall be considered expenses incurred for the joint operation of the General Assembly.

SECTION 7.  The Committee shall submit a final report on the results of its study, including any proposed legislation, to the General Assembly no later than April 30, 2026. The Committee shall terminate on April 30, 2026, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 8.  This act is effective when it becomes law.