Alaska 32nd Legislature (2021-2022) Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 4 D · 2 I · 1 R cosponsors

HB 55 — An Act relating to participation of certain peace officers and firefighters in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; relating to eligibility of peace officers and firefighters for medical, disability, and death benefits; relating to liability of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (S) Heard & Held

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

58 added · 60 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to House Bill 55 simplify the language and remove some redundancies regarding employment eligibility requirements. These changes clarify when individuals can start employment in relation to certain eligibility criteria. This matters because clearer guidelines help ensure that both employees and employers understand the rules, potentially making the hiring process smoother.

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32-LS0098\I CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
32-LS0098\B HOUSE BILL NO.
55(FIN) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE Offered:
55 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVES JOSEPHSON, Tuck, Wool, Ortiz, Claman, Schrage, Fields, Rasmussen, Snyder, Merrick, Edgmon, Spohnholz, Story, Drummond, Tarr Introduced:
5/17/21 Referred:
2/18/21 Referred:
Rules Sponsor(s):
State Affairs, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to participation of certain peace officers and firefighters in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska;
REPRESENTATIVES JOSEPHSON, Tuck, Wool, Ortiz, Claman, Schrage, Fields, Rasmussen, Snyder, Merrick, Edgmon, Spohnholz, Story, Drummond, Tarr SENATORS Begich, Gray-Jackson, Wielechowski A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to participation of certain peace officers and firefighters in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska;
HB0055b -1- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I (3) determine the appropriate investment objectives for the defined benefit plans established under the teachers' retirement system under AS 14.25 and the public employees' retirement system under AS 39.35;
HB0055a -1- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B (3) determine the appropriate investment objectives for the defined benefit plans established under the teachers' retirement system under AS 14.25 and the public employees' retirement system under AS 39.35;
in this subparagraph, the appropriate contribution rate for CSHB 55(FIN) -2- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I liquidating the past service liability of the defined benefit retirement plan under AS 14.25.009 - 14.25.220 or the past service liability of the defined benefit retirement plan under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 must be determined by a level percent of pay method based on amortization of the past service liability for a closed term of 25 years;
in this subparagraph, the appropriate contribution rate for HB 55 -2- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B liquidating the past service liability of the defined benefit retirement plan under AS 14.25.009 - 14.25.220 or the past service liability of the defined benefit retirement plan under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 must be determined by a level percent of pay method based on amortization of the past service liability for a closed term of 25 years;
HB0055b -3- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I (F) one-year, three-year, five-year, and 10-year investment performance for each of the funds entrusted to the board;
HB0055a -3- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B (F) one-year, three-year, five-year, and 10-year investment performance for each of the funds entrusted to the board;
(a) The Department of Administration may obtain a policy or policies of group CSHB 55(FIN) -4- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I insurance covering state employees, persons entitled to coverage under AS 14.25.168, 14.25.480, AS 22.25.090, AS 39.35.535, 39.35.537, 39.35.880, or former AS 39.37.145, employees of other participating governmental units, or persons entitled to coverage under AS 23.15.136, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The Department of Administration may obtain a policy or policies of group HB 55 -4- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B insurance covering state employees, persons entitled to coverage under AS 14.25.168, 14.25.480, AS 22.25.090, AS 39.35.535, 39.35.537, 39.35.880, or former AS 39.37.145, employees of other participating governmental units, or persons entitled to coverage under AS 23.15.136, subject to the following conditions:
(5) the Department of Administration shall make available bid HB0055b -5- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I specifications for desired insurance benefits or for administration of benefit claims and payments to (A) all insurance carriers authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09 and all hospital or medical service corporations authorized to transact business under AS 21.87 who are qualified to provide the desired benefits;
(5) the Department of Administration shall make available bid HB0055a -5- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B specifications for desired insurance benefits or for administration of benefit claims and payments to (A) all insurance carriers authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09 and all hospital or medical service corporations authorized to transact business under AS 21.87 who are qualified to provide the desired benefits;
the level of coverage for persons over 65 shall be the same as that available before reaching age 65 except that the benefits CSHB 55(FIN) -6- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I payable shall be supplemental to any benefits provided under the federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance program;
the level of coverage for persons over 65 shall be the same as that available before reaching age 65 except that the benefits HB 55 -6- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B payable shall be supplemental to any benefits provided under the federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance program;
The State of Alaska Teachers' and Public Employees' Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan is established for teachers who first become members of the defined contribution plan of the teachers' retirement system under AS 14.25.310 - 14.25.590 on or after July 1, 2006, and employees of the state, political subdivisions of the state, and public HB0055b -7- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I organizations of the state who first become members [OF THE DEF INED CONTRIBUTION PLAN] of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska (AS 39.35) [PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM UNDER AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990] on or after July 1, 2006.
The State of Alaska Teachers' and Public Employees' Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan is established for teachers who first become members of the defined contribution plan of the teachers' retirement system under AS 14.25.310 - 14.25.590 on or after July 1, 2006, and employees of the state, political subdivisions of the state, and public HB0055a -7- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B organizations of the state who first become members [OF THE DEF INED CONTRIBUTION PLAN] of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska (AS 39.35) [PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM UNDER AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990] on or after July 1, 2006.
A person who terminates employment before meeting the eligibility requirementsof AS 14.25.470, AS 39.35.537, or 39.35.870 [OR AS 39.35.870] loses any right to the contributions made on behalf of the person to the teachers' and public employees' retiree health reimbursement arrangement trust fund.
A person who terminates employment before meeting the eligibility requirementof AS 14.25.470, AS 39.35.537, or 39.35.870 [OR AS 39.35.870] loses any right to the contributions made on behalf of the person to the teachers' and public employees' retiree health reimbursement arrangement trust fund.
CSHB 55(FIN) -8- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I * Sec.
HB 55 -8- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B * Sec.
The board may, from time to time, adjust the employee contribution under this subsection to an amount that, (1) if decreased, is not less than eight percent of the employee's HB0055b -9- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I compensation;
The board may, from time to time, adjust the employee contribution under this subsection to an amount that, (1) if decreased, is not less than eight percent of the employee's HB0055a -9- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B compensation;
and (2) if increased, is not more than 12 percent of the employee's compensation.
and (2) if increased, is not more than 10 percent of the employee's compensation.
CSHB 55(FIN) -10- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I * Sec.
HB 55 -10- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B * Sec.
HB0055b -11- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I (2) with at least 20 years of credited service as a peace officer or firefighter;
HB0055a -11- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B (2) with at least 20 years of credited service as a peace officer or firefighter;
(l) Subject to AS 39.35.450, a terminated employee who first becomes a member after June 30, 2006, is eligible for a normal retirement benefit (1) at age 60 with at least five years of credited service in the system as a peace officer or firefighter;
(l) Subject to AS 39.35.450, a terminated employee who first becomes a member after June 30, 2006, is eligible for a normal retirement benefit (1) at age 60 with at least five years of credited service as a peace officer or firefighter;
or (2) at age 55 with at least 20 years of credited service in the system as a peace officer or firefighter.
or (2) at age 55 with at least 20 years of credited service as a peace officer or firefighter.
and (2) the lesser of 50 percent of the increase in the cost of living in the preceding calendar year or six percent, for recipients who on July 1 are at least 60 but CSHB 55(FIN) -12- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I less than 65 years old or for recipients who are less than 60 years old on July 1 but who have received benefits from the plan for at least five years.
and (2) the lesser of 50 percent of the increase in the cost of living in the preceding calendar year or six percent, for recipients who on July 1 are at least 60 but HB 55 -12- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B less than 65 years old or for recipients who are less than 60 years old on July 1 but who have received benefits from the plan for at least five years.
(D) the surviving spouse of a deceased employee who is HB0055b -13- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I receiving a monthly benefit from the plan and who has elected coverage;
(D) the surviving spouse of a deceased employee who is HB0055a -13- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B receiving a monthly benefit from the plan and who has elected coverage;
(g) A benefit recipient who is a peace officer or firefighter and who first CSHB 55(FIN) -14- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I becomes a member after June 30, 2006, or a surviving spouse who is eligible under AS 39.35.537(b) may elect medical benefits under AS 39.35.537.
(g) A benefit recipient who is a peace officer or firefighter and who first HB 55 -14- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B becomes a member after June 30, 2006, or a surviving spouse who is eligible under AS 39.35.537(b) may elect medical benefits under AS 39.35.537.
(h) A person who is eligible for medical benefits under this section must make the irrevocable election to participate or not participate in the retiree major medical HB0055b -15- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I insurance plan on or before the date the person reaches 70 1/2 years of age or when the person applies for retirement and medical benefits, whichever is later.
(h) A person who is eligible for medical benefits under this section must make the irrevocable election to participate or not participate in the retiree major medical HB0055a -15- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B insurance plan on or before the date the person reaches 70 1/2 years of age or when the person applies for retirement and medical benefits, whichever is later.
(m) The eligibility for retiree major medical insurance coverage for an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order shall be determined based CSHB 55(FIN) -16- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I on the eligibility of the member to elect coverage.
(m) The eligibility for retiree major medical insurance coverage for an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order shall be determined based HB 55 -16- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B on the eligibility of the member to elect coverage.
HB0055b -17- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I (B) for employees first hired on or after July 1, 1996, the five consecutive payroll years during the period of credited service that yield the highest average;
HB0055a -17- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B (B) for employees first hired on or after July 1, 1996, the five consecutive payroll years during the period of credited service that yield the highest average;
(ii) on or after July 1, 2006, with respect to employees who are not peace officers or firefighters [ASSUMES LIABILITY CSHB 55(FIN) -18- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I UNDER THE PLAN OF A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR PUBLIC ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH];
(ii) on or after July 1, 2006, with respect to employees who are not peace officers or firefighters [ASSUMES LIABILITY HB 55 -18- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B UNDER THE PLAN OF A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OR PUBLIC ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN (B) OF THIS PARAGRAPH];
HB0055b -19- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I RETIREMENT PLAN ELECTION PROCEDURE.
HB0055a -19- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B RETIREMENT PLAN ELECTION PROCEDURE.
The board shall establish transfer procedures by regulation, but the actual transfer may not occur later than 60 days after the date the administrator receives the employee's completed forms under (a) of this section, unless the major financial markets for securities available for a transfer are seriously disrupted by an unforeseen event that also causes the suspension of trading on any national securities exchange in the country where the securities were issued.
The board shall establish transfer procedures by regulation, but the actual transfer may not occur later than 30 days after the date the administrator receives the employee's completed forms under (a) of this section, unless the major financial markets for securities available for a transfer are seriously disrupted by an unforeseen event that also causes the suspension of trading on any national securities exchange in the country where the securities were issued.
In that event, the 60-day period may be extended by a resolution of the board.
In that event, the 30-day period may be extended by a resolution of the board.
A transfer is not commissionable or subject to other fees and may be in the form of cash or a CSHB 55(FIN) -20- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I security as determined by the board.
A transfer is not commissionable or subject to other fees and may be in the form of cash or a HB 55 -20- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B security as determined by the board.
(g) Actuarial assumptions must be based on the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined benefit retirement plan, except that the retirement rates are computed at 75 percent of the retirement rates for peace officers and firefighters used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined contribution retirement pension fund plus 25 percent of the retirement HB0055b -21- CSHB 55(FIN) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\I rates for peace officers and firefighters used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined benefit retirement plan.
(g) Actuarial assumptions must be based on the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined benefit retirement plan, except that the retirement rates are computed at 75 percent of the retirement rates for peace officers and firefighters used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined contribution retirement pension fund plus 25 percent of the retirement HB0055a -21- HB 55 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0098\B rates for peace officers and firefighters used in the most recent actuarial valuation of the defined benefit retirement plan.
CSHB 55(FIN) -22- HB0055b New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
HB 55 -22- HB0055a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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Action History

  1. (S) Heard & Held

  2. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  3. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  4. (S) L&C REFERRAL REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UR 48

  5. (S) UR 48(A), REQUEST RECEIVED

  6. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  7. (S) Heard & Held

  8. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  9. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  10. (S) Heard & Held

  11. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  12. (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --

  13. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  14. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): BEGICH, GRAY-JACKSON, WIELECHOWSKI

  15. (S) REFERRED TO LABOR & COMMERCE

  16. (S) L&C, FIN

  17. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  18. (H) VERSION: CSHB 55(FIN)

  19. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

  20. (H) COSPONSOR(S): STORY, DRUMMOND, TARR

  21. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y33 N7

  22. (H) PASSED Y25 N15

  23. (H) MOTION TO REMOVE 2 MIN DEBATE LIMIT FAILED Y12 N27 A1

  24. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 55(FIN)

  25. (H) LIMIT ALL DEBATE TO 2 MIN EACH Y23 N16 E1

  26. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SPOHNHOLZ

  27. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/19 CALENDAR

  28. (H) FIN CS ADOPTED UC

  29. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  30. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/18/2021

  31. (H) FN2: (ADM/RETIREMENT PAYMENTS)

  32. (H) NR: EDGMON, LEBON, THOMPSON

  33. (H) DNP: CARPENTER

  34. (H) DP: ORTIZ, WOOL, JOSEPHSON, FOSTER, MERRICK

  35. (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) 5DP 1DNP 3NR

  36. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  37. (H) Moved CSHB 55(FIN) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 10 Minutes Following Session --

  38. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

  39. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  40. (H) Heard & Held

  41. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

  42. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  43. (H) Heard & Held

  44. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  45. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  46. (H) Heard & Held -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --

  47. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  48. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

  49. (H) Heard & Held

  50. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  51. (H) COSPONSOR(S): EDGMON

  52. (H) FN1: INDETERMINATE(ADM)

  53. (H) AM: STORY, EASTMAN, KAUFMAN, VANCE

  54. (H) DP: CLAMAN, TARR, KREISS-TOMKINS

  55. (H) STA RPT 3DP 4AM

  56. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  57. (H) Moved HB 55 Out of Committee

  58. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  59. (H) COSPONSOR(S): RASMUSSEN, SNYDER, MERRICK

  60. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  61. (H) Heard & Held

  62. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  63. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  64. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  65. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  66. (H) COSPONSOR(S): FIELDS

  67. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SCHRAGE

  68. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  69. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  70. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  71. (H) COSPONSOR(S): CLAMAN

  72. (H) STA, FIN

  73. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  74. (H) Prefile released 1/15/21

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 14 co-sponsors · 50 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (14)

Not signed on (50)

50 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 55?
HB 55 is sponsored by Andy Josephson (D), Tuck, Wool, Ortiz, Matt Claman (D), Calvin Schrage (N), Zack Fields (D), Rasmussen, Snyder, Kelly Merrick (R), Bryce Edgmon (N), Spohnholz, Andi Story (D), Drummond, and Tarr.
What is the current status of HB 55?
This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “Passed House” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 55?
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