February 8, 2022, Pension Commission Meeting

Agenda

1. SF 2810 (Benson): PERA; Restores segmented annuities to members who have breaks in public employment. ‑ Laid over for possible omnibus bill inclusion
   • S2810 Summary
   • Testifiers:
     • Amy Strenge, Policy Coordinator, Public Employees Retirement Association
     • Diane Edwards, PERA member
       • Edwards Letter
       • Administrative Law Judge Recommendation


2. SF 2957 (Kiffmeyer); HF 3136 (Bahner): PERA, MSRS; Continuing payment of annuity to health care workers who return to employment from retirement or continue employment on a phased retirement agreement. ‑ Passed as amended
   • Author's Amendment A22-0298 ‑ Adopted as amended (line 1.9, delete "2023" and insert "2022")
   • S2957-H3136 Summary
   • Testifiers:
     • Becca Lundberg, CRNA, Hennepin Healthcare
     • Amy Strenge, Policy Coordinator, Public Employees Retirement Association


3. SF 1547 (Jasinski); HF 1577 (Koznick): Requires the Department of Labor and Industry to study benefit adequacy for disabled or injured police officers. ‑ Laid over
   • Author's Amendment A22-0300 ‑ No action
   • S1547-H1577 Summary
   • Fiscal Note, HF1577
   • Testifiers:
     • Wendy Wulff (Wulff Presentation)
     • Kate Daly, Assistant Commissioner, Workers’ Compensation, Dpt. Labor & Industry
     • Ethan Landy, General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Dpt. Labor & Industry
   • Submitted testimony:
     • MPPOA Letter


4. HF 2610 (Rasmusson): Requires volunteer firefighters relief association special fund assets to be invested with the State Board of Investment. ‑ Amended, laid over
   • Author's Amendment A22-0293 ‑ Adopted
   • Author's Presentation
   • H2610 Summary
   • Financial and Investment Report of Volunteer Fire Relief Associations
   • Testifiers:
     • John Mulé, Director of Legal and Policy Services, State Board of Investment
     • Erol Sonderegger, Asst. Exec. Dir., Portfolio Management & Risk Analysis, State Board of Investment
     • Lieutenant Luke Draxten, Fergus Falls Fire Department and relief association treasurer
     • State Auditor Julie Blaha
     • Rose Hennessey-Allen, Pension Director, Office of the State Auditor
     • Chief BJ Jungmann, Legislative Chair, MN State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA)
     • Chief Ed Hoffman, Owatonna Fire Dpt, & volunteer firefighter for N. Mankato FD
     • Dave Yurczyk, President, Minnesota State Fire Departments Association
   • Submitted testimony:
     • Kevin Hruby, Vice President, Minnetonka Firefighter’s Relief Association


5. SF 2614 (Anderson); HF 2690 (Lueck): MSRS; Military service purchases similar to the PERA provisions for service credit purchases that are not federally protected. ‑ Not heard, carried over to 2/15 meeting
   • S2614-H2690 Summary
   • Testifiers:
     • Mike LeDoux, President of MN State Patrol Trooper’s Association
     • Glen Bihler, State Patrol Trooper and Army Veteran
     • Erin Leonard, Executive Director, MSRS
   • Submitted testimony:
     • MN Conservation Officers Association, Caleb Silgjord, Vice President
     • James Kotten, State Trooper and Marine Corps veteran
     • Matthew J Frericks, Veteran and law enforcement officer
     • Letter from Rep. Luecke containing emails received in support of HF 2690/SF 2614
     • MN Conservation Officers Association, Wayne Hatlestad, President


6. SF 2591 (Osmek); HF 2964 (Hertaus): MSRS; Permits the survivor of a deceased state employee to purchase service credit to receive an annuity death benefit. ‑ Not heard, carried over to 2/15 meeting
   • S2591-H2964 Summary
   • Testifiers:
     • Susan Morimoto
     • Joseph Morimoto
     • Devin Bruce, Public Affairs Coordinator, MN Association of Professional Employees
     • Erin Leonard, Executive Director, MSRS

PUBLIC VIEWING INFORMATION: This meeting may be viewed live on the LCC YouTube Channel.

TESTIFYING: To testify or submit written testimony on any agenda item, please contact Commission staff at lcpr@lcpr.mn.gov by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 7, and identify the agenda item.

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MEETING DOCUMENTS will be posted on the Commission website at www.lcpr.mn.gov/mtgnotice.

This meeting will be held in accordance with Legislative Coordinating Commission guidelines.