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Utah House approves bill letting local law enforcement switch retirement systems
Summary
The House passed HB 21 to allow law enforcement agencies to convert from the contributory to the noncontributory retirement system; sponsors said the change is a recruitment tool with minimal state fiscal impact. The bill passed the House 68–1 and heads to the Senate.
The Utah House of Representatives on Jan. 16 approved House Bill 21, which allows local law enforcement agencies to convert from the contributory retirement system to the noncontributory system, a sponsor said.
Representative Newbold, the bill’s sponsor, told colleagues that the measure would open a conversion window from July 1 to Dec. 30 for local entities and that a handful of jurisdictions had expressed interest, including Daggett County, Duchesne County, Brigham City, Perry City and South Jordan City. He said the primary practical difference is survivor benefit levels and that a fully funded retirement package is an important recruitment tool for local police departments.
Newbold described the fiscal picture as minimal for the state — he said roughly a dozen to 15 state employees remain in the contributory system — and that local governments would individually determine any costs or savings depending on how much of employee contributions they cover. Representative Wimmer asked for confirmation that the state fiscal impact would be minimal; Newbold affirmed that account.
“This is a significant recruitment tool that is needed for local law enforcement agencies, and I would urge your support,” Newbold said.
The House opened and closed debate with no further discussion. The bill passed the House with a recorded vote of 68 yes and 1 no and will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: the Senate will receive HB 21 for its consideration; no committee referrals or implementation steps were specified on the floor.
