Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Senate bill would extend LEOPS military service credit to retired military pilots to aid recruitment
Loading...
Summary
Senate Bill 491 would expand a five‑year military service credit within the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System (LEOPS) to some retired active‑duty military aviators now serving as Maryland State Police pilots; union and pilots testified that the credit drives recruitment and retention and noted high training costs.
Senator Johnny Ray Saling introduced Senate Bill 491 on behalf of sponsors seeking to extend LEOPS military service credit to certain retired active‑duty military members now serving in state roles, arguing the change would help recruit and retain specialized staff.
Denise Gilmore of AFSCME Maryland testified in support, saying the narrowly tailored bill primarily affects pilots who retired from active‑duty U.S. military service and now work in the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. She described the Aviation Command’s multi‑mission role — trauma medical missions, search and rescue, aerial hoist operations and law‑enforcement missions — and said these pilots bring training and experience that are costly for the state to replace.
Donald Hawkins, a former director of flight operations for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, told the subcommittee the five‑year military service credit materially influenced his decision to remain in state service. "That credit was the deciding factor that kept me in the Maryland State Police for 6 more years," Hawkins said, describing competition from the private sector and airlines that offered large signing bonuses after COVID. He said a survey of AFSCME‑represented pilots found the credit was well known to recruits and a significant retention incentive.
Jude Gallagher, chief pilot for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and an FAA pilot examiner, described the program’s training model and costs, saying it is not a flight school and relies on hiring experienced military pilots. Gallagher estimated approximately $150,000 to qualify a second‑in‑command and at least $800,000 to develop a fully mission‑qualified pilot, arguing that retaining trained pilots is necessary for the Aviation Command’s financial and operational sustainability.
Supporters told the committee the bill is limited in scope and would recognize equivalent military service among workers performing the same duties and risks. No members of the committee asked follow‑up questions after testimony, and the chair closed the hearing on SB491 without a recorded vote or formal action at that time.
The bill will await further committee consideration.
