Senate retirement committee advances and studies multiple retirement bills; public-safety pension and TRS items heard

The Georgia Senate Retirement Committee moved multiple retirement-related measures during its meeting. The committee voted to advance a request for an actuarial study on a bill to allow some public school employees to participate in the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), directed actuarial study or committee review for several other bills, and held a hearing on a proposal to increase the Peace Officers' Annuity Benefit (POAB) fund via a $1 increase to the 911 mobile phone fee.

Senate Bill 209: an actuarial study requested

Senator Goodman presented Senate Bill 209, which would allow some public school employees — such as certain lunchroom staff and custodians who meet hours requirements — the option to participate in TRS. The bill would be optional for employees (not mandatory) and proponents framed it as a recruitment and retention measure. The sponsor asked the committee to request an actuarial study; Mr. Buster Evans spoke as a resource for detailed questions. The committee took a motion "do pass" and advanced the item for actuarial review.

Senate Bill 216 and Senate Bill 157: moved for study

Senate Bill 216, which would move the director of the prosecuting attorneys qualifications commission under the Georgia Judicial Retirement System, was presented for a hearing and committee members directed it to an actuarial review or study. Senator Robertson introduced the item as a simple change and committee members asked only clarifying questions before moving it for study.

Senate Bill 157: The committee considered a bill permitting certain current and former members of the General Assembly to purchase credible service in the Georgia legislative retirement system, with an eligibility cutoff of service commencing on or after Jan. 12, 1991. Committee members moved the bill forward to an actuarial study.

Peace Officers' Annuity Benefit Fund and 911 fee proposal (informational hearing)

Senator Robertson also presented legislation to increase the monthly POAB premium from $30 to $40 and to fund the increase in benefits by adding $1 to the monthly 911 mobile phone fee. Robertson described the change as a way to increase benefits for retired local law enforcement officers and argued that a $1 mobile fee increase would generate substantial new revenue for POAB. Committee members asked about current funding levels and expected revenue; a POAB representative said the increase could add "somewhere north of a hundred million a year," while noting current annual receipts were much lower. The sponsor framed the change as voluntary for officers to participate in POAB but described the 911 fee as the intended funding source. The item was taken as a hearing and proponents indicated they would return with copies of substitute language; the committee did not record a formal committee vote to advance that measure at this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- SB209 (allow certain public school employees to join TRS): motion to do pass and advance for actuarial study; outcome: advanced to actuarial review (voice vote; committee recorded as carrying the motion). - SB216 (move prosecuting attorneys commission director under judicial retirement): sent to actuarial study (committee action: study requested). - SB157 (legislative retirement buyback for certain former/current members): sent to actuarial study (committee action: study requested). - POAB / 911 fee proposal (increase monthly premium and add $1 mobile fee): informational hearing only; no advancement recorded at this meeting.

Committee members asked for clarifications on funding sources and employer/local government impact for items that would shift costs (notably the TRS eligibility item) and sought copies of substitute language for the POAB measure. Several senators emphasized the need for educational outreach for employees considering irrevocable retirement plan decisions.