Virginia Senate Bill SB928

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/6/25
• Refer: 1/6/25

Caption

State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for Department of Wildlife Resources conservation police officers.

Impact

The amendments seek to unify retirement benefits for various law enforcement roles under the Virginia Retirement System, extending protections and benefits to a specialized group of conservation officers. This inclusion is anticipated to enhance recruitment and retention efforts within conservation policing, aligning benefits with those already afforded to other law enforcement personnel. Furthermore, the bill requires the VRS to evaluate the financial and administrative implications of this inclusion, which could open discussions on funding and system sustainability for all members involved.

Summary

Senate Bill 928 proposes significant amendments to the Code of Virginia, specifically focusing on the State Police Officers' Retirement System. A notable feature of this bill is the inclusion of conservation police officers from the Department of Wildlife Resources into the retirement system with the intent that these officers will receive similar retirement benefits to those of current state police officers. Effective from July 1, 2026, the bill outlines the definitions and membership requirements for these conservation officers under the existing framework of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).

Contention

One potential area of contention may arise from the financial assessment mandated by the bill, aimed at understanding the fiscal impact of integrating conservation officers into the retirement system. Stakeholders may voice concerns regarding how this amendment could affect current obligations of the retirement system, particularly in terms of budgeting and resource allocation. Moreover, the decision to expand membership benefits might prompt discourse regarding the prioritization of funding for different branches of public safety and the need for equitable treatment across various roles in law enforcement.