Legislative update (Employees' Retirement System of Georgia), 15 January 2010

For the Week of: January 11 - 15, 2010 Legislative Days: 1 - 4
Legislative Update
Employees' Retirement System of Georgia

January 15, 2010

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Inside This Update
1 Session Convenes 1 Legislative Schedule 2 State of the State 2 Legislative Log
For More Information on Legislation, please visit: www.ers.ga.gov
Contact Us
Pamela L. Pharris Director, ERSGA 404-603-5602 pamela.pharris@ers.ga.gov
Jim Potvin Deputy Director, ERSGA 404-603-5605 jim.potvin@ers.ga.gov
Kelly L. Moody Legislative Liaison and Assistant Director, ERSGA 404-603-5646 kelly.moody@ers.ga.gov
Danise Thaxton Executive Assistant to the Director, ERSGA 404-603-5602 danise.thaxton@ers.ga.gov

2010 Legislative Session Convenes
The House and Senate officially convened on Monday, January 11th for the first day of the 2010 Legislative Session. The day consisted of basic procedural matters, such as first reading of bills and recommitments of bills.
However, much attention was focused in the House as Representative David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) was elected as the new Speaker by a vote of 116 - 58. Several other Leadership position changes were made, including the election of a new Speaker Pro Tempore, Representative Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), and the election of Representative Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta) as Majority Whip.
With the election of Speaker Ralston, a few House Committee changes occurred. For a full listing of the changes, please click here.

Legislative Adjournment Schedule Announced through February 5th

January 11 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 15 January 18 - 22 January 25 January 26 January 27 January 28 January 29 February 1 February 2 February 3 February 4 February 5
* Recess is when the General Assembly is not in Session.

Legislative Day 1 Legislative Day 2 Legislative Day 3 Legislative Day 4
Recess* Recess* Legislative Day 5 Legislative Day 6 Legislative Day 7 Legislative Day 8 Recess* Legislative Day 9 Legislative Day 10 Legislative Day 11 Legislative Day 12 Legislative Day 13

January 15, 2010
Governor Sonny Perdue Gives Final State of the State

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Governor Sonny Perdue gave his final State of the State Address as House and Senate members convened for a joint session on Wednesday, January 13th, at 11 A.M. Governor Perdue welcomed members to the 2010 legislative session and highlighted the importance of this new legislative year. However, he did not provide his budget proposal as he has done in the past. Instead, the Governor's Budget will be available on Friday, January 15th.

To view the full text of the Governor's State of the State Address, click here.

LEGISLATIVE LOG
Monday, January 11, 2010
HB 172 - Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; disability benefits; provisions
Revises language relating to the handling of medical examinations for persons that are receiving disability benefits under the age of 60, by removing the ability for medical examinations to be conducted at the disability retiree's place of residence.
Additionally, this bill provides that earnable compensation in the calculation of earnings limitation for disability beneficiaries also include workers compensation income.
HB 172 was recommitted to the Senate Retirement Committee by the full Senate.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
HB 916 - Retirement ages; nullify application for retirement; provisions
Clarifies requirements for ERS members returning to service after retirement. Specifically, a member that has not reached normal retirement age (60 with at least 10 years of service) on the effective date of their retirement is required to wait two consecutive calendar months prior to returning to employment. The employer of the member is also required to certify that no agreement exists to allow such employee to return to service, including service as an independent contractor.
Members that have reached normal retirement age and return to service as an independent contractor are required to have their employing agency provide the Board of Trustees with certification that 1) the contracting entity has multiple employees; 2) the contracting entity has multiple contracts and the contracts are not limited to employers; and 3) the contractual relationship with the employer was not created to allow a retired employee to continue employment after retirement in a position similar to the one held before retirement.
HB 916 was assigned to the House Retirement Committee by the full House.

January 15, 2010
LEGISLATIVE LOG - Continued

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

No Bills were considered due to the Joint Session for Governor Sonny Perdue's State of the State Address.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

No Retirement Bills were considered today.

Friday, January 15, 2010

No bills were considered today due to the General Assembly being in recess.