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Committee advances bill allowing teachers and state employees to remain on employer benefits while serving
Summary
HB409 would let licensed teachers and other state employees elected to the legislature stay on their employer retirement and benefits plans and have the legislature reimburse the differential; the committee favorably recommended the bill after staff explained a paid‑leave approach and safeguards to prevent double benefits.
The Government Operations Committee voted to favorably recommend HB409, which allows school teachers and other state employees who serve in the legislature to elect to remain on their employer retirement and benefits plans while serving, with the legislature reimbursing the differential to protect retirement integrity.
Sponsor remarks: The sponsor said the bill responds to the difficulty many educators face when they lose retirement accrual while serving as legislators and must extend their careers or forgo benefits. The sponsor framed the change as a mechanism to let school teachers and other state employees "stay on their employment retirement plans and benefits, if they should choose to."
Staff explanation: Christine Gilbert, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, explained the draft treats the arrangement as paid leave: the employee remains on their employer payroll and continues to accrue retirement benefits with that employer; the legislature would reimburse the employer for the differential between employer-side retirement contributions and the legislative benefit, subject to appropriation and caps described in the bill.
Public comment and committee views: Helen Moser of the League of Women Voters spoke in support, arguing the bill preserves a citizen legislature by reducing professional and financial barriers to service. Multiple committee members said the bill addresses practical burdens on educators and other public employees and supports the goal of broad representative participation.
Committee action: Representative Perucci moved and the committee voted by voice to favorably recommend HB409 to the House. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: HB409 will advance to the full House. The bill includes implementation details intended to comply with federal employment law and includes appropriation controls for employer reimbursement.
