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Law enforcement and fire department leaders urge committee to restore lost retirement credit for bypassed candidates
Summary
Witnesses told the Joint Committee on Public Service that two bills before the Legislature would restore retirement service credit for police and firefighters who lost time due to administrative error; one bill (House No. 4909) would specifically grant credit to Salem personnel who became members on or before Feb. 11, 2020.
Mike Amato, a captain in the Lawrence Fire Department, urged the Joint Committee on Public Service to back legislation he said would remedy long-term harm to police and firefighters who were bypassed during hiring but later vindicated. "The proposed legislation addresses this inequity," Amato told the committee, saying administrative error, procedural flaws and improper influence can strip candidates of "lost time, lost income, lost seniority, and lost retirement credit." He asked the committee to support "An Act Establishing Incredible Service for Eligible Police Officers and Fire Fighters," a bill the witness said is sponsored by Senator Madel Pajano.
Senator Joan Lovely testified on House No. 4909, a separate but related measure focused on the City of Salem. Lovely said the bill would "require the Salem Retirement Board to grant credible service without member payment for prior reserve, permanent, intermittent, or call service" for Salem public safety personnel who became members of the Salem Retirement System on or before Feb. 11, 2020. She said nine Salem police officers and eight firefighters would receive credit under the proposal and that the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor and the city council support the measure.
Both witnesses framed the bills as remedies to an administrative problem that has long-term consequences for affected employees. Amato said the proposals would allow bypassed candidates who were later vindicated to "buy back their time" so that retirement equity is restored "without undermining workplace fairness." Lovely emphasized the local impact in Salem and the municipal support the bill has secured.
No committee questions led to formal votes during the hearing. The committee chair reminded attendees that written testimony can be submitted to the committee staff and set a deadline of Feb. 3, 2026, at 5 p.m. After concluding the testimony and procedural remarks, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded, and the committee adjourned by voice action.
