HCS HB 222 Owen, Bill Committee
HCS HB 222 -- STATE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT
SPONSOR: Owen
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Pensions by a vote of 9 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 7 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 222.
The bill modifies the Board membership of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System by having the terms of the active employee representatives serving on the Board on August 28, 2026, to continue an additional two years until June 30, 2028 and after such date all terms of elected active employee representatives shall be for four years beginning July 1, 2028 and every four years thereafter. (Section 104.160, RSMo)
Currently, retired state officers and employees receiving retirement benefits from a state employees' retirement plan may only work in part-time non-benefit eligible positions.
This bill allows an individual currently drawing a retirement benefit under a state retirement plan to serve as a member of the General Assembly or as an elected state official and continue to draw their retirement annuity and cost of living adjustments. (Sections 104.160, 104.380 and 104.1039)
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the two pension funds stop retirement benefits if you serve as a Member of the General Assembly or statewide office. MOSERS precludes this talented pool of people from serving in these two positions.
Testifying in person for the bill was Representative Owen.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say there is a perception of double dipping where the individual returns to work and also continues to draw the retirement benefits. Under the LAGERS plan when a member retires the statute prohibits employment by the same employer but the member can work for another employer in a different plan.
Testifying in person on the bill were Bill Gamble; Scott Simon, MoDOT & Highway Patrol Retirement System; and Elizabeth Althoff, Mo Local Government Employee Retirement System.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.