The bill contains measures that would place the Public Employees Retirement Plan Police and Fire Fund on firmer financial footing.
The House Ways and Means Committee met April 26 to consider and pass two omnibus pension bills. The bills, known as omnibus retirement bill I and omnibus retirement bill II, were combined by the Ways and Means Committee and sent to the House floor.
A recently introduced bill would add surcharges to various insurance premiums in order to fund the existing policy and fire pension system.
Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) will serve as chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement for the 2013-2014 biennium.
The 2013-2014 Pension Commission, consisting of seven members of the Senate and seven members of the House, will convene for the first time on Jan. 29.
The plan includes employer and employee contribution increases as well as substantial benefit reductions to address a funding deficiency.
PERA offers group counseling at no charge to groups of 25 people or more.
Legislative changes may assist volunteer fire departments recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
Contact intergovernmental relations (IGR) staff if you have questions about legislative issues.