Bill would require county police pension trust to present annual reports to county councils

Senate Bill 144 would require County Police Force Pension Trusts and Trust Funds to make an annual presentation to their county councils not later than two months before the date of the county's public budget hearing. Representative McNamara, presenting the bill, said the presentation must include the plan administrator, the sponsoring employer, whether the plan is defined benefit, the plan's actuarial assumptions, investment returns for the preceding fiscal year, total contributions made by the plan sponsor during the fiscal year, and counts of active and retired/separated participants. He noted the requirement excludes Marion County because of structural differences.

Why it matters: The measure is intended to give county councils timely fiscal and actuarial information ahead of budget hearings so elected officials can consider pension‑related funding needs when setting county budgets.

Testimony and outcome: Mike Biberstein of the Indiana Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying, "We rise in support of this bill. We believe it's good policy." The committee voted to pass the bill; the clerk announced "Bill passes 13‑0" in committee.

Context: McNamara said SB 144 passed unanimously out of local government committee and by voice vote in the Senate. The bill prescribes specific presentation elements to improve transparency of pension parameters to county budget makers. The transcript does not record subsequent enactment steps or a state citation for the preexisting law that currently requires contributions to or oversight of these pensions.