Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hb 1268 Transit Apers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee clears bill to let public transit employees join APERS
Summary
House Bill 1268 would allow public transit employees to participate in APERS; sponsor said the change would benefit riders who depend on transit, and the committee approved the bill on a voice vote after no public opposition was recorded.
The committee approved House Bill 1268, a bill to allow employees of certain public transit authorities to join the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS).
Representative Steve Unger, District 19, presented the bill and described it as "a similar bill basically to allow public transit employees to join the list, which already exist of non state employees in order to be a part of the APERS system." He cited Ozark Regional (a transit authority mentioned in testimony) as an example of a local transit employer that would be affected. "This is a bill that would help a lot of areas that use public transportation for the elderly, for students, for people who, can't afford to buy a car," Unger said.
The nut graf: The change extends APERS eligibility to employees of specified transit employers. APERS staff and the committee's actuary indicated the bill would not produce a significant actuarial impact because the number of qualifying employees is limited and new members join without retroactive service credit by default.
No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the bill. Representative Unger closed by urging a favorable vote. The committee moved the bill to pass and approved it by voice vote; committee minutes do not show a roll‑call tally.
If enacted, affected transit employees would begin membership on their entry date and would be able to purchase prior service consistent with APERS procedures; the bill’s administrative details and any required employer actions will be handled by APERS.
