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Hearing on SB 64 would extend KPERS administrative appeal window to 60 days, update federal tax references
Summary
At a Senate FINI committee hearing, supporters said Senate Bill 64 would lengthen the time KPERS members have to request a hearing from 30 to 60 days and make technical updates to keep state law aligned with recent federal tax changes.
The Senate Committee on FINI heard testimony on Senate Bill 64, which would extend certain administrative appeal deadlines at the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and update statutory references to stay current with federal tax law.
Jason Thompson of the Revisor’s office told the committee SB 64 “adjust[s] certain internal KPERS Act statutory references,” extends the time for filing administrative appeals from 30 to 60 days, and updates provisions to reflect changes in the Internal Revenue Code. Thompson told the committee the bill would become effective July 1 if adopted and that it passed the Senate 42–0.
Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS, testified as the lone proponent. Conroy said the bill was requested by the KPERS board and that the principal substantive change is lengthening the appeal window for members aggrieved by board orders or decisions made without a hearing. He said KPERS receives “about 12-ish” cases a year that proceed to the board for initial appeal, most involving disability benefit decisions. Conroy said people receiving an adverse disability determination sometimes need more time to decide whether to represent themselves or hire counsel, and the extra 30 days would give them that time.
Conroy also described periodic updates to ensure state law reflects federal pension and tax changes — including adjustments tied to amendments such as the SECURE 2.0 Act and related Treasury regulations — but he did not go into technical detail and invited conferees to address specifics.
Representative Weigel asked how many appeals the board considers annually; Conroy replied “probably about 12-ish.” No opponents or neutrals spoke at the hearing. The committee closed the SB 64 hearing with no further questions and indicated it would work final action on SB 64 at a later meeting.
SB 64 does not contain a new benefit-policy provision, Conroy emphasized, but modifies administrative procedures and tax‑compliance language. If enacted, the bill’s most tangible change for members would be extending from 30 to 60 days the period within which a person aggrieved by a board decision made without a hearing may request a written hearing.
