Committee backs due pass for Highway Patrol retirement funding proposal, refers to appropriations

The committee received testimony on Senate Bill 2120 from Derek Holbein, chief operating and financial officer for the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPRS), who explained the Highway Patrol defined-benefit plan covers about 147 retirees and 167 active employees and that many troopers do not participate in Social Security while employed. Holbein said the NDPRS Board proposed inserting a one-time lump-sum deposit of $35,700,000 into the Highway Patrol retirement trust (proposed deposit date given as July 2026 in testimony) to stabilize funding and put the plan on a trajectory toward actuarial solvency. He explained that reaching a funded ratio near 90% would help transition the plan toward a contribution-setting model that the PERS Board uses for other public-safety plans.

Captain Derek Arndt of the North Dakota Highway Patrol testified the plan is an important recruitment and retention tool and that the guaranteed monthly benefit and disability and death protections make the agency a more attractive employer.

Committee members moved a due-pass recommendation and to refer SB 2120 to the Appropriations Committee. A committee roll call recorded unanimous support; members voting aye were Chair Kristin Rohrs, Vice Chair Castaneda, Senators Barta, Brownberger, Lee and Wallen. The committee entered the due pass motion and referred the bill to appropriations.