Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB8

Introduced

2/3/25

Refer

2/4/25

Refer

2/25/25

Caption

Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; providing for benefits increase.

Impact

The implementation of SB8 is set to have a positive impact on the finances of retired firefighters and their families. If enacted, it will amend certain provisions of the current pension law, specifically by providing indexed increases that take into account changes in salary for regular firefighters. Nonetheless, it places limitations for certain members who joined before January 1, 1981, in relation to how their benefits are adjusted based on the salary increases of active firefighters in their respective municipalities.

Summary

Senate Bill 8, introduced by Senator Weaver, addresses the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. The bill proposes a five percent increase in benefits for members of this pension system who are receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025. This proposed adjustment is aimed at recognizing the service and commitment of firefighters within the state while ensuring that their pension benefits keep pace with the rising cost of living. As it stands, the bill will specifically apply to members who continue to receive benefits after the effective date, which is designed to support long-serving members of the fire service.

Contention

While the bill appears to be a straightforward increase in benefits, there may be points of contention regarding its long-term sustainability and the financial burden it could place on the pension fund. Critics may raise concerns about how this increase will be funded, especially in times of budget constraints in state finances. Additionally, there might be discussions regarding equity among state pension systems and if similar benefits adjustments will be extended to other public service sectors. The ongoing dialogue within legislative circles could further define how these increases are perceived in relation to the priority of firefighter compensation versus other state-funded benefits.

Latest SB8 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK HB1824

Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; death benefit amounts; effective date; emergency.

OK SB453

Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; increasing monthly benefit for volunteer firefighters; modifying compensation determination. Effective dates. Emergency.

OK HB2171

Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; codification; effective date; emergency.

OK HB2171

Public retirement systems; distribution; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; codification; effective date; emergency.

OK HB3528

Retirement; benefit increase; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; term; conditions; limitation; funded ratio; codification; effective date.

OK SB453

Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; increasing monthly benefit for volunteer firefighters; modifying compensation determination.

OK SB1520

Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; providing for increased earnings limitations for certain retired members through certain date.

OK HB2991

Retirement; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; reference; revisions; emergency.

OK HB3755

Retirement; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; retirement benefits; emergency.

OK HB1277

Public retirement systems; cost-of-living increases for certain members of certain retirement systems; comparison of benefit increases; effective dates.

Similar Bills

OK SB488

State government; creating the Office of Homeland Security within the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

TX HB127

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Homeland Security Division, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.

OK SB1371

Office of Homeland Security; transferring the Office of Homeland Security from the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to the Department of Public Safety. Emergency.

LA HR176

Commends the Homeland Security Investigations team of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

TX SB2377

Relating to homeland security, including the creation of the Texas Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety, the operations of the Homeland Security Council, the creation of a homeland security fusion center, and the duties of state agencies and local governments in preparing for, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity breaches; providing administrative penalties; creating criminal offenses.

OK HB2720

State government; creating the Targeted Violence Prevention Act; authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center to collect, analyze, and disseminate certain information to law enforcement and public safety agencies; codification; emergency.

IL HB5740

$IEMAOCE

IL SB3883

$IEMA-OCE