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Committee advances bill allowing some county EMS officers to transfer retirement service credits
Summary
The committee reported a committee substitute for SB 774 that would let certain county EMS officers participating in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) elect into the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System and transfer credited service; counties would absorb an estimated $254,000 annual employer cost.
The Senate Finance Committee heard counsel explain the committee substitute for Senate Bill 774 and voted to report the substitute to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.
Counsel said the measure permits county‑employed EMS officers who currently participate in PERS to elect participation in the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System and transfer their years of credited service. Officers would have until Aug. 31 of the election year to make the choice, and assets in PERS would transfer no later than March 31, 2027. Counsel added that the retirement board would calculate any makeup contributions and that participation rules prevent dual participation in other state plans.
Counsel estimated an increase in employer contributions to the EMS plan of about $254,000 per year resulting from the bill; counsel said that amount would be borne by counties and municipalities and would not impose direct cost on the state general fund. The affected counties named in committee testimony included Braxton, Doddridge, Marshall and Ohio counties.
The vice chairman moved that the committee substitute be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the committee voted in favor by voice vote and the motion was adopted.
