Several of the bills listed, in italics, were filed by others and have won the Association’s endorsement over the past several months. It is common for our legislative team to ally with individuals and the unions to work towards a common goal. Since several groups have supported our legislation, many of the following bills represent such a joint effort.

Members should note that the following bills are subject to amendment and, therefore, not in their final version. As of press time, none of the listed bills have been signed into law or been passed by the Legislature.

H212: Adds the state treasurer and one additional member to the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC). Reported favorably and also contained within the outside sections of both the House and Senate budgets. Now before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H335: Raises COLA Base for retirees of the State and Teachers’ Retirement Systems to $20,000. Local retirement systems would be allowed to determine their own base, beginning with $12,000. This bill has been held within the Committee in order for further analysis to be completed.

H336: Municipal minimum pension of $10,000 for retirees with at least 25 years of creditable service (local option). Reported favorably to the House. Now before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H337: Minimum pension of $6,000 for survivors of active employees who died of non-work related cause, while still actively employed. Held in the Committee for further analysis.

H338: Disability survivors minimum pension of $8,000. Placed into a study order.

H339: Right to remarry, pension reinstatement for those who had lost their pension due to remarriage prior to last year’s marriage approval law. Reported favorably. Now before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H4330: (Previously H343) Disability retirees medical indemnification, requires that medical bills relating to the injuries sustained by retirees be paid in a timely fashion. Reported favorably. Now before House Ways and Means.

H380: Non Contributory Tax Exemption. Placed in a study order by the Joint Committee on Taxation.

H917: Allows retirees, who retired on an accidental disability pension prior to November, 1996 to purchase an Option C survivors benefit. Reported favorably to the House. Now before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H4340: (Previously H342) Makes changes to the law allowing disability retirees to return to work. This bill requires further amendment prior to the Association fully endorsing its passage. Reported favorably.

S1362: Group 1 Study Commission. Sponsored by MACRS, this bill creates a special commission to study and recommend changes to the Group 1 retirement formula for active employees. Reported favorably.

S1411: Public safety (75-25) alternative retirement proposal. This bill continues to evolve and may exist in several versions during the legislative process. Reported favorably to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

S1426: Health Insurance Reinstatement. Codifies federal law which allows retirees to rejoin the state or municipal health insurance plan. Held for further analysis.

S1427: Prescription Drug Appeals. Creates an appeals process within the state Group Insurance Commission for members to appeal “third tier” prescription drug copayments. Held for further analysis.

S1428: Right to Remarry Health Insurance Retention. Allows survivors to retain their health care coverage even though they have remarried. Held for further analysis.

S1429: Increases the basic life insurance offered under the state’s Group Insurance plan to $10,000. Held for further analysis.

S1430: Provides municipalities with greater options to offer dental and vision coverage to retirees. Held for further analysis. Also contained within the Senate version of the FY’02 State Budget.

S1466: (Previously H340) Veterans bonus of up to $300 for disability retirees. Reported favorably to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.