March 16, 2023, Pension Commission Meeting

Agenda

1. Approval of March 6, 2023, meeting minutes. - Approved


2. Presentation on the State Auditor's Supplemental State Aid Work Group Report.
   • State Auditor Julie Blaha (Presentation)
   • Supplemental State Aid Work Group Report
   • Testifier:
     • Todd Greseth, Firefighter, Supplemental State Aid Work Group Member


3. HF 2928 (Nelson); SFxxxx (Pappas): State Auditor's Volunteer Firefighter Working Group recommendation on audit requirement threshold increase. - Laid over
   • Overview of Retirement Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters (provides information related to Items #3-6)
   • H2928 Staff summary
     • Exhibit G
   • Testifiers:
     • State Auditor Julie Blaha
     • Aaron Johnston, Assistant Fire Chief, Coon Rapids Fire Department and Relief Association Treasurer
     • Ron Johnson, Minnesota State Fire Department Association and Retired Maple Grove Firefighter
   • Submitted testimony:
     • Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association letter of support


4. HF 217 (Franson/Stephenson); SF 809 (Westrom): PERA Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan; Modifying service counted in determining vesting in a retirement benefit. - Amended, laid over
   • Amendment H0217-1A - Adopted
   • H0217-S0809 Staff summary of the bill and amendment
   • Testifiers:
     • Doug Anderson, Executive Director, Public Employees Retirement Association
     • Philip Zimpel (via Zoom), Firefighter, Forada Fire Department, formerly with the Plummer Fire Department


5. HF 2007 (Robbins); SF 1975 (Limmer): PERA Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan; Mid-year coverage effective date for Hamel and Loretto firefighters, merger of assets and liabilities. - Laid over
   • H2007-S1975Staff summary
   • Testifiers:
     • Jeffrey Ruchti, Fire Chief, Hamel Volunteer Fire Department
     • Jeff Leuer, Fire Chief, Loretto Fire Department


6. HF2777 (Hudella): PERA Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan; Amending the requirements applicable to a relief association after the affiliated fire department joins the plan. - Laid over
   • H2777Staff summary

PUBLIC VIEWING INFORMATION: Meeting will be livestreamed by the House on HTV5: www.house.mn.gov/live/5

TESTIFYING: To testify or submit written testimony on an agenda item, please contact the Commission staff at lisa.diesslin@lcpr.mn.gov by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 15, 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.

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