Directs the La. State Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System of La., the La. School Employees' Retirement System, and the La. State Police Pension and Retirement System to report specified information to the House and Senate committees on retirement (EN NO IMPACT APV)
Impact
The potential impact on state laws revolves around promoting efficiency within Louisiana's retirement systems. Given that employer contributions exceed one billion dollars annually, an emphasis on combining administrative and investment management services could lead to significant cost savings. Such savings may translate into more robust financial health for these retirement systems, potentially reducing the state’s unfunded accrued liability, which is currently estimated to exceed $18 billion. This resolution addresses long-term sustainability and aims to ensure that members have secure pensions in their retirement.
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 135 directs key retirement systems in Louisiana, including the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS) and the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL), to report their administrative and investment costs to legislative committees. This resolution emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in how these systems manage funds that contribute to the retirement of nearly 300,000 members. By requesting this data, the legislature aims to understand better the financial operations of these vital retirement systems and evaluate their overall efficiency.
Sentiment
The sentiment around HCR 135 appears generally positive as it seeks to address a pressing issue in public service pensions. Legislators showed supportive attitudes towards promoting fiscal transparency and efficiency. There does seem to be an underlying urgency reflected in the legislature's directive, as demonstrated by the extensive reporting requirements placed on these retirement systems, indicative of a consensus on the need for reform.
Contention
While there isn't significant controversy encapsulated in HCR 135, the implications of combining administrative services can raise discussions regarding the autonomy of individual retirement systems. Stakeholders could express concerns about governance, as they might feel that centralized control could reduce tailored services unique to each system's demographic and operational needs. Nevertheless, the overarching aim remains to bolster financial accountability and ensure long-term viability for retirement options in Louisiana.
Relative to the La. School Employees' Retirement System (LSERS), the State Police Pension and Retirement System (LSPRS), and the Parochial Employees' Retirement System (PERS), provides for compliance with applicable federal tax qualification requirements (EN NO IMPACT APV)
Provides relative to retirement eligibility for certain members of the La. State Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (6/30/12) (OR DECREASE APV)
Provides for notice to employees when a charter school withdraws from the Teachers' Retirement System of La. or the La. School Employees' Retirement System (OR NO IMPACT APV)
Relative to state retirement systems, requests the House and Senate committees on retirement to study issues related to board membership and system investments
Requests that the Bd. of Regents and the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education, with the Taylor Foundation, La. Office of Student Financial Assistance, public postsecondary education management boards, and certain others, study certain issues relative to TOPS
Requests the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to study employment practices and professional licensing requirements to benefit veterans in the workforce
Creates a task force to study meaningful oversight of the professional healthcare licensing boards statutorily created within the Department of Health and Hospitals.