Serving those who serve Georgia E RSGA Employees' Retirement System of Georgia For the Week of: February 18 - 22, 2013 Legislative Days: 19 - 22 Employees' Retirement System of Georgia Legislative Update February 22, 2013 Page 1 Inside This Update 1 Legislative Log Legislative Log Monday, February 18, 2013 For More Information on Legislation, please visit: www.ers.ga.gov No bills were considered today due to the General Assembly being in recess. Contact Us Jim Potvin Executive Director, ERSGA 404-603-5605 jim.potvin@ers.ga.gov Kelly L. Moody Legislative Liaison and Communications Manager 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 Tuesday, February 19, 2013 HB 377 Garnishment; exemptions of pension or retirement funds or benefits; change provisions This legislation removes the exempt status for Qualified Domestic Relations Orders in retirement plans. HB 377 was assigned to the House Retirement Committee. Wednesday, February 20, 2013 HB 263 Post-employment health benefit fund; person eligible to participate on or after July 1, 2013, shall pay premium which reflects cost of coverage; provide This bill eliminates the state subsidy for post-employment health insurance benefits for future state employees hired on or after July 1, 2013. The state subsidy for post-employment heath insurance benefits will also be eliminated for current state employees if he or she has any break in service without compensation on or after July 1, 2013. HB 263 received NO ACTION from the House Retirement Committee. February 22, 2013 Page 2 Legislative Log (continued) SB 142 Georgia Judicial Retirement System; board of trustees; authority to determine the time/circumstances of paying benefits; qualified plan under federal law This legislation requires that employers notify the retirement system when they hire a retired employee. The employer must provide reports to the retirement system regarding the number of hours the retiree works. If the retiree works more than 1,040 hours in any calendar year, the employer must notify the retirement system, and if they fail to do so, they will be required to reimburse the retirement system for any benefits wrongfully paid to the employee. The bill also has provisions providing the Employees' RetirementSystem Board ofTrustees with the authority to comply with federally mandated requirements if a conflict arises between state and federal statute. This authority would normally be utilized only if action is required more quickly than enabling legislation can be enacted. SB 142 received a DO PASS by Committee Substitute from the Senate Retirement Committee. SB 178 Georgia Legislative Retirement System; define a certain term; broaden certain provision This legislation has provisions providing the Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees with the authority to comply with federally mandated requirements if a conflict arises between state and federal statute. This authority would normally be utilized only if action is required more quickly than enabling legislation can be enacted. The bill also clarifies the term public employer as it relates to rehired retirees. SB 178 was assigned to the Senate Retirement Committee. Thursday, February 21, 2013 No action was taken on retirement bills today. Friday, February 22, 2013 No action was taken on retirement bills today.