health benefits pool or program in a State, any official or officials designated by the State to administer the requirements of this section for the State with respect to such pool or program, including the official or officials with authority to approve interlocal agreements under applicable State law, but shall not include any State insurance regulatory agency. (2) Covered laws (A) In general The term covered laws means the laws, rules, regulations, agreements, and orders pertaining to any of the following: (i) Group health coverage issued by a local government employee health benefits pool or program. (ii) The offer, sale, rating (including medical underwriting), renewal, and issuance of group health coverage to local government officials, employees, and retirees or their dependents. (iii) The management, operations, and investment activities of a local government employee health benefits pool or program. (iv) Loss control and claims administration for a local government employee health benefits pool or program with respect to liability for which the pool or program provides coverage. (v) The payment, on a nondiscriminatory basis, of applicable premium and other taxes (including high risk pool assessments) which are levied on health insurance issuers, brokers, or policyholders under the laws of the State. (B) Exception Such term does not include any law, rule, regulation, agreement, or order governing the use of care or cost management techniques, including any requirement related to provider contracting, network access or adequacy, health care data collection, or quality assurance. (3) Group health coverage The term group health coverage means medical care expense reimbursement provided under a group health plan. (4) Local government The term local government means a county, municipality, special district, school district, junior college district, housing authority, or other political subdivision or public entity defined under State law. (5) Local government employee health benefits pool or program The term