HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 17        FILED ON: 10/31/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 17

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act establishing a special commission on retirement credit purchases.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to evaluate and study the costs and benefits attributable to all service purchases allowed under Chapter 32. The special commission shall: review the associated actuarial liabilities; recommend appropriate cost-sharing between employee and employer; explore whether the types of allowable service purchases can be expanded to help recruit and retain public employees; and recommend any other changes deemed necessary to improve the long-term sustainability of Massachusetts contributory retirement systems.

The commission shall consist of: the chair of  the public employee retirement administration commission or a designee; the chairs of the state and teachers’ retirement boards, or their designees; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on public service, who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member of the senate who shall be appointed by the minority leader; 1 member of the house of representatives, who shall be appointed by the minority leader; the President of MACRS or her designee; a representative of the Mass. Association of School Superintendents; the Commonwealth’s director of human resources  or his designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association; the Secretary of A&F or his designee; an actuary to be appointed by the Governor; a representative of a teacher’s union to be appointed by the state treasurer; a representative of a state employee union to be appointed by the governor. The special commission shall make recommendations, including proposed amendments to chapter 32 of the General Laws. The special commission shall file its recommendations, including any proposed legislation, with the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives not later than May 1, 2024.