Alabama 2022 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB308

Introduced

2/8/22

Refer

2/8/22

Engrossed

3/2/22

Refer

3/2/22

Enrolled

4/7/22

Chaptered

4/7/22

Passed

4/7/22

Caption

Employees' Retirement System, retirement benefits for Tier II plan members modified to provide 30-year service retirement, conversion of sick leave, and hazardous duty time for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, contribution rate increased, Secs. 36-26-36.1, 36-27-16, 36-27-24, 36-27-59 am'd.

Impact

The bill could potentially have broad implications on both the financial planning of the Employees' Retirement System and the overall morale of state employees. By allowing the conversion of sick leave into retirement credit, employees may feel more secure regarding their retirement benefits, likely encouraging them to stay longer with the state. This shift may also compel future legislative considerations on how retirement benefits are structured for state employees, ensuring that they align with current workforce needs and trends.

Summary

House Bill 308 aims to amend certain provisions of the Code of Alabama 1975 relating to retirement benefits for employees who are members of the Employees' Retirement System. This bill specifically seeks to modify retirement benefits for Tier II plan members, allowing for a 30-year service retirement. This amendment provides an option for employees to accumulate and convert unused sick leave into creditable service years towards their retirement, thereby enhancing their retirement benefits. Importantly, this change aims at promoting employee retention and acknowledging the long service of state employees who have dedicated significant time to public service.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB 308 appears to be positive from both legislators and employee representatives. Supporters believe this legislation is a step towards better treatment of public servants and a recognition of their contributions. However, there might be concerns regarding the financial cost of these changes in the long term for the state retirement system and how it will affect the system's sustainability in the future.

Contention

While many view the increased benefits as a progressive and necessary change, some concerns focus on state budget implications. There may also be differing opinions on the sufficiency of the amendments proposed in addressing the needs of all public employees, particularly those who may not benefit equally from the new provision. There is a sense that ongoing discussions will be needed to further refine and optimize the provisions introduced by HB 308.

Latest HB308 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL HB136

Retirement, deferred retirement option plan (DROP), options for Tier I and Tier II Teacher Retirement System members to participate, reopened

AL HB255

Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, State Police Tier II Plan members paid for up to 80 hours unused annual leave over 480 hours per year

AL HB71

RSA, full-time emergency medical services technicians and paramedics allowed to purchase hazardous duty time for prior eligible service the ERS in same manner as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers, Tier I

AL HB542

District attorneys, prosecutors, office of prosecution services' attorneys, retirement benefits and allowances further provided for; membership of District Attorneys' Plan expanded; participation in supernumerary program and employees retirement system further provided for

AL HB343

General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County; removes provisions tying eligibility to participate in plan to civil service classification; provides for status of mandatory members and part-time employee members who join on or after October 1, 2025

AL SB342

State employees' retirement; to classify a K9 officer as a state police officer, to provide for retroactive effect

AL HB105

Law enforcement officers, retirement benefits further provided for

AL SB216

Employees' Retirement System; retired firemedics, return to work without suspension of retirement allowance

AL HB472

District attorneys and retired district attorneys, calculation of retirement benefits, authorized to advise law enforcement; civil immunity provided; return to work after retirement without loss of benefits; rural recruitment and retention program established

AL SB339

Retirement Systems of Alabama; to provide a benefit increase for certain retirees of the ERS and the TRS

Similar Bills

AL SB230

AL SB68

To amend Sections 36-27-1, 36-27-16, as last amended by Acts 2022-184 and 2022-351, 2022 Regular Session, and 41-27-7, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to retirement benefits for employees who are members of the Employees' Retirement System; to reopen the State Police Tier II Plan to any employee of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency who is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission and performs law enforcement duties; to modify the Tier II benefits received by all State Police Tier II members; and to clarify that employees of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency are state policemen for retirement purposes.

AL SB74

Retirement benefits, State Police Tier II Plan, to reopen to any employee of the State Law Enforcement Agency who is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission and perform law enforcement duties, Secs. 36-27-1, 36-27-16, 41-27-7 am'd.

AL HB69

AL HB308

Relating to the Retirement Systems of Alabama; to amend Section 16-25-14, as last amended by Act 2022-184 and Act 2022-222 of the 2022 Regular Session, and Section 36-27-16, as last amended by Act 2022-184 and Act 2022-351 of the 2022 Regular Session, Code of Alabama 1975, to require an individual retired under the Teachers' Retirement System, Employees' Retirement System, or Judicial Retirement Fund to draw his or her retirement benefits for 12 consecutive months before returning to compensated work for a participating employer; to limit the person's compensation from the employer to 75 percent of the person's annual retirement benefit for each calendar year; and to repeal Sections 16-25-26, 29-4-6, and 36-27-8.2, Code of Alabama 1975, authorizing certain retired public employees to return to work for participating employers.

AL SB188

Retirement System, retirees required to work for a least a year before returning to compensated work for a participating employer, Secs. 16-25-26, 29-4-6, 36-27-8.2 repealed; Secs. 16-25-14, 36-27-16 am'd.

AL HB278

Retirement System, retirees required to draw retirement benefits for a least a year before returning to compensated work for a participating employer, Secs. 16-25-26, 29-4-6, 36-27-8.2 repealed; Secs. 16-25-14, 36-27-16 am'd.

AL HB155

Retirement System of Alabama, surviving spouse benefit of a retirement eligible member who dies in active service, benefit-option amended under District Attorneys' Plan, Judges' and Clerks' Plan, Teachers' and Employees' Retirement System, Secs. 12-17-277.6, 12-18-156, 16-25-14, 36-27-16 am'd.