Committee hears bill to make future Jefferson County hires mandatory contributors to county retirement system

A legislative committee chaired by Chairman Conn heard a bill that would require future full‑time employees of Jefferson County to be mandatory contributors to the Jefferson County retirement system.

Supporters told the committee the change is intended to protect the system's funding and retiree benefits if local hiring or civil‑service status changes reduce contribution rates. Ryan DeGraff, who identified himself to the committee as representing the Jefferson County retirement system, said the system is "currently a 80% funded" plan with about 5,000 members and that the proposal is a "preemptive measure" to avoid future funding shortfalls.

Proponents said the county system has been well funded historically. The bill would make all future full‑time Jefferson County hires mandatory contributors; part‑time employees and some elected or appointed part‑time officials would retain an option to participate. The committee heard details from counsel that current membership categories include mandatory and optional contributors and that roughly 99% of Jefferson County employees are currently part of the civil‑service system and therefore mandatory contributors under existing law.

Committee members pressed for mechanics and timing. A committee member referenced language that would take certain effect after Oct. 1, 2025, and asked about part‑time versus full‑time coverage. Counsel confirmed full‑time hires would be mandatory members and part‑time staff would have the option to participate. DeGraff told the committee the system counts approximately 2,500 active employees and roughly 2,500 retired members. He also described a past instance in which law enforcement members who left the system created a liability the county later addressed with a $14,000,000 payment, citing that episode as justification for the change.

The bill text cited constitutional or statutory language adopted or codified in 2022 in places; the counsel referenced that background during questions but did not read a specific citation into the record. A contribution rate mentioned in discussion was 6%.

The transcript records a motion introduced during committee consideration but does not record a final vote or outcome on the bill in the provided segments. The committee also introduced questions for staff clarification; no formal implementation timeline or effective date beyond language in the draft was recorded in the provided transcript.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after discussion; follow‑up from staff or a later committee record will be required to determine whether the bill advanced.