Bryan Calls 36th Legislature Into Special Session to Consider Insurance, Pension and Election Measures

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on June 30, 2025, that he would call the 36th Legislature into special session within three weeks to consider three proposals involving government health insurance, legislative compensation and election rules.

According to Government House, Bryan planned to propose creation of a Government Health Insurance Reform Task Force to seek proposals from national insurance carriers for coverage for government employees and retirees. The administration said the government would continue to fund the insurance.

Government House said the proposal followed confirmation from the Government Employees Service Commission Health Insurance Board that premiums for active employees and non-Medicare retirees would rise in the next fiscal year. The administration said the increase would add more than $30 million to government insurance costs and bring the annual total above $190 million.

Bryan also said he would introduce legislation to bar members of the Legislature from receiving both a government salary and a government retirement annuity while accruing additional retirement benefits. Government House said nine sitting senators were receiving both forms of compensation.

A third proposal would eliminate a requirement that government employees take six months of leave before running for elected office.

In the June 30 statement, Bryan said the measures were intended to address fairness and government costs.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-calls-36th-legislature-into-special-session/