Senate Finance retirement panel advances bill to let Catawba Nation join police pension plan

At a meeting of the Retirement Subcommittee for Finance, senators advanced S.127, sponsored by Senator Johnson, which would allow the Catawba Nation to apply for membership in the state Police Officers Retirement System if it meets statutory application requirements and accepts the board’s rules.

Olivia, a committee staff member, summarized the bill: “This bill deals with the police officers retirement system,” and said the measure would add the Catawba Nation to the system’s definition of an employer under specified statutory provisions, require the nation to apply to the board under current law, and obligate the nation to comply with board rules and waiver terms so the board may enforce contribution and participation requirements. The staff summary cited statutory references discussed in the hearing (9-11-43; 9-11-40; and 27-16-70(c)).

Spon…