Amendment #39 to S3141

OPEB Commission

Mr. Saunders of Belchertown moves to amend the bill by inserting the following section:

"SECTION XXXX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission to investigate and study retiree healthcare and other non-pension benefits. The commission shall consider the range of benefits that are or should be provided as well as the current and anticipated future cost of providing them. The commission shall consider and may make recommendations on how best to divide the costs between the commonwealth and its employees and between the commonwealth’s municipalities and their employees. Upon appropriation of sufficient funds, the commission shall engage professional advisors as needed to accomplish its purposes.

The commission shall consist of the following members: 1 of whom shall be the secretary of administration and finance, or the secretary’s designee; 1 of whom shall be the treasurer, or the treasurer’s designee; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the group insurance commission, or the director’s designee; 1 of whom shall be a private citizen, appointed by the governor, who shall serve as chair of the commission and shall not be a member of any of the 105 contributory retirement systems; 2 of whom shall be members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 of whom shall be members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 1 of whom shall be selected by the governor from a list of 3 candidates submitted by the president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO; 2 of whom shall be members of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1 of whom shall represent a rural community; and 1 of whom shall be a member of the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts.

The commission shall file a report of its recommendations and proposed legislation, if any, with the clerks of the house and senate, the chairs of the house and senate committee on ways and means and the chairs of the joint committee on public service not later than January 1, 2028."