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Senate amends and passes resolution to pick up part of Tier 2 public-safety retirement contributions
Summary
The Senate passed HCR 9, a concurrent resolution directing the state to pick up a portion of Tier 2 public safety and firefighter employee retirement contributions with an amendment capping the state's pickup at 16 percent; senators debated funding timing and who bears remaining costs.
The Utah Senate on March 5 approved House Concurrent Resolution 9 to authorize a state pickup of some Tier 2 public-safety and firefighter employee retirement contributions, with an amendment capping the state's share.
Senator Joel Harper (identified on the floor as sponsor) described the measure as "the last step" in adjustments to the Tier 2 public safety and firefighter retirement program and moved Amendment 1, which "puts a cap on this so the state doesn't pay more than 16% of the retirement portion." He said the change raises the cap the employer picks up from 14% to 16%, and "anything above 16% will be picked up by the employee." (Floor exchange.)
Senator Hilliard pressed whether the amendment shifted burdens to employees or spread costs across state employees; Harper replied that the amendment caps the state's pickup and that he expects the funded position to normalize within five or six years. Senator Stevenson and others emphasized the measure had been funded in the budget and that the amendment would limit the state's exposure.
The Senate adopted the amendment and then, under suspension of the rules, read HCR 9 for second and third time and passed it. President announced HCR 9 "having received 26 yay votes, 0 nay votes, 3 being absent," and the resolution will be returned to the House for further consideration.
Floor discussion and the amendment clarify that the resolution applies to state employees in the Tier 2 program; Senator Harper explicitly stated the measure "only deals with state employees, not city, county, or anyone else." Supporters framed the change as addressing recruitment and retention for troopers, correctional officers and some firefighters.
The transcript shows the sponsor moved, the body debated the scope and timing, and the body approved the amended resolution by roll-call.
