Legislative update, 2019 March 1

Serving those who serve Georgia

E RSGA
Employees' Retirement System of Georgia

For the Week of: February 25 - March 1, 2019 Legislative Days: 21 - 25

Employees' Retirement System of Georgia
Legislative Update

March 1, 2019
Inside This Update
1-3 Legislative Log
For More Information on Legislation, please visit: www.ers.ga.gov
Contact Us Jim Potvin Executive Director, ERSGA 404-603-5602 jim.potvin@ers.ga.gov
Kelly L. Moody Director, Legislative Affairs Division, ERSGA 404-603-5646 kelly.moody@ers.ga.gov
Ashley Waller Legal and Policy Research Analyst, ERSGA 404-603-5694 ashley.waller@ers.ga.gov

Page 1
Legislative Log
Monday, February 25, 2019 SB 174 Retirement and Pension Systems; definition of public employment related crime; revise
This bill allows public retirement systems to adopt a policy to deduct from a member's benefit when convicted of a public employment related crime. The language also increases time to initiate OSAH proceedings. The legislation also limits the number of offenses considered a "public employment related crime."
SB 174 was assigned to the Senate Retirement Committee.
SB 176 Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; certain public employers; make employer and employee contribution on behalf of retired members; require
Beginning 7/1/19, this legislation requires employers that employ an Employees' Retirement System (ERS) retiree to pay both the employer and employee contributions for the retiree to ERS. The retiree would continue to receive their retirement benefit; however, they would not earn any additional creditable service in the retirement system. This provision would not apply if the employing agency certifies employee is an independent contractor.

SB 176 was assigned to the Senate Retirement Committee.

March 1, 2019
Legislative Log (continued)

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Tuesday, February 26, 2019 HB 196 Retirement and pensions; each public retirement system trustee to complete appropriate education applicable to his or her fiduciary duties; require
This bill requires trustees of public retirement systems to complete fiduciary training and educational courses in specified retirement areas.
HB 196 received a DO PASS by Committee Substitute from the House Retirement Committee.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 SB 117 Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; that does not require an individual to pay the full actuarial cost of obtaining such creditable service; prohibit passage of any law
Members who join on or after July 1, 2019 cannot obtain creditable service unless the member pays full actuarial cost for such service. The bill also provides members with the ability to pay for such service purchase with a payment plan option.
SB 117 was received a DO PASS from the Senate Retirement Committee.
SB 176 Employees' Retirement System of Georgia; certain public employers; make employer and employee contribution on behalf of retired members; require
Beginning 7/1/19, this legislation requires employers that employ an Employees' Retirement System (ERS) retiree to pay both the employer and employee contributions for the retiree to ERS. The retiree would continue to receive their retirement benefit; however, they would not earn any additional creditable service in the retirement system. This provision would not apply if the employing agency certifies employee is an independent contractor.
SB 176 received a DO PASS by Committee Substitute from the Senate Retirement Committee.
Thursday, February 28, 2019 No retirement bills were considered.

March 1, 2019
Legislative Log (continued)

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Friday, March 1, 2019 SB 117 Public Retirement Systems Standards Law; that does not require an individual to pay the full actuarial cost of obtaining such creditable service; prohibit passage of any law
Members who join on or after July 1, 2019 cannot obtain creditable service unless the member pays full actuarial cost for such service. The bill also provides members with the ability to pay for such service purchase with a payment plan option.
SB 117 received a DO PASS from the Senate Rules Committee and was placed on the Senate Debate Calendar for 3/4/2019.