Legislative update (Employees' Retirement System of Georgia), 15 March 2013

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E RSGA
Employees' Retirement System of Georgia

For the Week of: March 11 - March 15, 2013 Legislative Days: 31 - 34

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia
Legislative Update

March 15, 2013

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Inside This Update
1 Legislative Log
3 Final Legislative Schedule
For More Information on Legislation, please visit: www.ers.ga.gov
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

Legislative Log
Monday, March 11, 2013
SB 178 Georgia Legislative Retirement System; define a certain term; broaden certain provision
This legislation provides 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 House Retirement Committee.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
HB 579 Georgia Judicial Retirement System; member who was serving in full-time position on retirement may use prior part-time service for vesting; provide
This legislation changes provisions relating to the vesting requirements for judges moving from part-time service to full-time service in the Judicial Retirement System (JRS). Part-time judges currently vest in JRS after ten years of service, as do full-time judges. However, if a part-time judge moves into a full-time position, the years of service as a part-time judge are reduced by one third and a part-time judge that was vested in JRS is not eligible to use all of their part-time service towards vesting as a full-time judge.
This means the judge would have to work at least several more years to be eligible for a retirement benefit in JRS. Under the proposed changes, creditable service as a part-time judge will continue to be reduced by one third; however, part-time judges that move into a full-time judge position will now be allowed to retain vesting and qualification rights in JRS.

HB 579 was assigned to the House Retirement Committee.

March 15, 2013
Legislative Log (continued)

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013 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 House Retirement Committee.
SB 143 Retirement System; board of trustees of public retirement systems; provide duties
Prior to July 1, 2010, boards of trustees of public retirement systems were subject to applicable provisions in Title 53 dealing with Common Law fiduciary duties. However, an oversight occurred when the statute was amended. This bill adds back needed references concerning Common Law fiduciary duties for boards of trustees of public retirement systems.
SB 143 received a DO PASS from the House Retirement Committee.
SB 178 Georgia Legislative Retirement System; define a certain term; broaden certain provision
This legislation provides 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 received a DO PASS from the House Retirement Committee.

March 15, 2013
Legislative Log (continued)

Thursday, March 14, 2013 No action was taken on retirement bills.

Friday, March 15 2013 No bills were considered due to the General Assembly being in recess.

Final Legislative Adjournment Schedule Announced

March 20

Legislative Day 35

March 21

Legislative Day 36

March 22

Legislative Day 37

March 23-24

Recess*

March 25

Legislative Day 38

March 26

Legislative Day 39

March 27

Recess*

March 28

Legislative Day 40

* Recess is when the General Assembly is not in Session.

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