February 27, 2023, Pension Commission Meeting

Agenda

1. Approval of February 20, 2023, meeting minutes. - Approved


2. HFxxxx; SF1910 (Frentz): Higher Education Individual Retirement Account Plan (IRAP): Increasing the employer contribution rate. - Amended, laid over
   • Hxxxx-S1910 Staff Summary
   • Amendment Hxxxx.S1910-1A - Not heard
   • Amendment Hxxxx.S1910-2A - Adopted
   • Testifiers:
     • Devin Bruce, Public Affairs Coordinator, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
     • Jonathan Bohn, Director of Public Affairs, Inter Faculty Organization (IFO)
     • Mark Grant, Communication Studies Instructor and Minnesota State College Faculty (MSCF) Governmental Relations/Lobbyist
     • Edward Reynoso, Director of Political and Legislative Affairs, Teamsters Local #320


3. Minnesota State Higher Education Retirement Account Plan (IRAP) / Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) coverage elections and service credit transfers.
   • Staff summary of all three bills
   1. HFxxxx; SF1995 (Seeberger): IRAP, TRA; Permits a Minnesota State employee to elect TRA coverage and receive retroactive service credit. - Laid over
      • Testifiers:
        • Dr. Marta Mohr, System Director for Academic Programs, Planning, and Transfer, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
        • Derek Hughes, System Director for Total Rewards/Human Resources, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
        • Jay Stoffel, Executive Director, Teachers Retirement Association
   2. HF1499 (Olson, L.); SF1420 (McEwen): IRAP, TRA; Permits certain Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College employees to elect TRA coverage and receive retroactive service credit. - Laid over
      • Testifiers:
        • Ariel Johnson (via Zoom), Nandagikendan (Seek to Learn) Academy Director, Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College
        • Derek Hughes, System Director for Total Rewards/Human Resources, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
        • Jay Stoffel, Executive Director, Teachers Retirement Association
   3. LCPR23-021: IRAP, TRA; General legislation permitting Minnesota State employees to elect TRA coverage and receive retroactive service credit. - Laid over
   • Testifiers:
     • Ariel Johnson (via Zoom), Nandagikendan (Seek to Learn) Academy Director, Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College
     • Devin Bruce, Public Affairs Coordinator, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
     • Derek Hughes, System Director for Total Rewards/Human Resources, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
     • Jay Stoffel, Executive Director, Teachers Retirement Association


4. Stakeholder testimony on benefit improvements for teachers.
   • Testifiers:
     • Jay Stoffel, Executive Director, Teachers Retirement Association (TRA handout)
     • Phillip Tencick, Executive Director, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association
     • Scott Vedbraaten, Superintendent, Browerville Public Schools
     • Jason Savage, Principal, Pillager High School (J. Savage handout)
     • Jeff Kocur, Teacher, Hopkins Schools
     • Jim McComas-Bussa, Math Teacher, Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis
     • Dr. Liz Keeling, English and French teacher, Champlin Park High School
     • Ryan Fiereck, Teacher and Local President, St. Francis School District, former Vice President of Education Minnesota
     • Julie Seiler, Teacher, Spring Lake Park, Co-chair, Education Minnesota's Pension Task Force
     • William Baumann, Retired Teacher, Co-chair, Education Minnesota's Pension Task Force
     • Lonnie Duberstein, Past President and Legislative Committee Co-Chair, Retired Educators Association of Minnesota (REAM)
   • Submitted testimony:
     • Kelly Savage, High School Special Education Instructor, Pillager Public Schools
     • Paul Peterson, Teacher, International Falls
     • Kim McDonald, Teacher, Falls Elementary School
     • Jim Reed, Media Teacher, Brainerd

PUBLIC VIEWING INFORMATION: Meeting will be livestreamed by the House on HTV1: www.house.mn.gov/live/1

TESTIFYING: To testify or submit written testimony on an agenda item, please contact the Commission staff at lisa.diesslin@lcpr.mn.gov by 3:00 PM on Friday, February 24, identifying the specific agenda item on which you would like to testify. Testimony is limited to the items on the agenda.

MEETING DOCUMENTS: As soon as they become available, meeting documents will be posted both here and on the legislative calendars.

ACCESSIBILITY/ACCOMMODATION: To comment on digital accessibility to meeting information, please submit comments using the Minnesota Legislature Accessibility & Usability Comment Form. To request an accommodation, please visit FAQs for Disability Access or contact the Legislative Coordinating Commission at lcc@lcc.mn.gov.