Subcommittee advances bill to let Catawba Nation join state police retirement system

At a meeting of the Retirement Subcommittee for Finance, members advanced S.127, a bill that would permit the Catawba Nation to join the state Police Officers Retirement System if the Nation applies and meets the board’s requirements.

Committee staff summarized the bill as adding the Catawba Nation, upon admission, to the statutory definition of an employer for the police officers retirement system and adding qualifying language that requires the Nation to apply to the retirement board under existing law (cited in the hearing as sections 9‑11‑43 and 9‑11‑40). The staff summary noted applicants must comply with the board’s rules and set a requested date of admission that meets statutory requirements; the act would take effect upon the governor’s approval.

Senator Johnson, the bill sponsor, said the change is intended to help the Nation recruit and retain law enforcement by offering access to the same…