03-31-03 Minutes

March 31, 2003	1^st Meeting
Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON PENSIONS AND RETIREMENT

MINUTES

Call to order:

Representative Mary Murphy, Secretary of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Commission Members Present:

Representatives Sondra Erickson, Philip Krinkie, Eric Lipman, Mary Murphy, and Steve Smith

Senators Don Betzold, Keith Langseth, Cal Larson, and Lawrence Pogemiller

Commission Members Absent:

Senator Geoff Michel

Agenda items

Approval of Prior Commission Meeting Minutes

Senator Betzold moved approval of the June 11, 2002, July 30, 2002, and August 29, 2002, meeting minutes. MOTION PREVAILED.

Election of Commission Officers

Representative Lipman nominated Representative Steve Smith for Chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

Senator Pogemiller nominated Senator Betzold for Vice Chair.

Senator Betzold nominated Senator Larson for Secretary.

THE MOTIONS PREVAILED, THE NOMINEES WERE ELECTED.

H.F. 520 (Smith); S.F. 618 (Pogemiller): MFRA; Executive Secretary Maximum Salary Amount (House Omnibus Pension Bill Vehicle Bill)

Mr. Edward Burek, Deputy Director, Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, reviewed the staff memo and policy issues raised by the bill.

Mr. Brian Rice, General Counsel, Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association (MFRA), testified in support of the bill and responded to Mr. Burek’s comments, noting that the MFRA membership voted 2 to 1 in favor of this proposal, and responded to questions from members.

Mr. Ted Cabana, MFRA, testified in opposition to the bill, provided a handout to members, and responded to questions from members.

Senator Pogemiller offered the following oral amendment:

Page 1, delete lines 22 to 25 and insert:
"(a)_The board of the Minneapolis firefighters relief association may increase the salary of the executive secretary subject to the maximum set forth in section 1.
(b) Any Salary increase under paragraph (a) may be effective on September 1, 2002, or any time thereafter as designated by the relief association board."
Page 2, delete line 1

MOTION PREVAILED.

Mr. Bob Weatherall, MFRA, testified in support of the bill.

Rep. Smith moved H.F. 520/S.F. 618, as amended, be recommended to pass and be included in the omnibus pension bill. MOTION PREVAILED.

H.F. 656 (Lenczewski); S.F. 190 (Betzold): Hennepin County Supplemental Plan; Hardship Distribution Request Approval Authority Change (Senate Omnibus Pension Bill Vehicle Bill)

Mr. Lawrence Martin, Executive Director, Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, reviewed the staff memo and policy issues raised by the bill, and discussed potential amendments LCPR03-072 and LCPR03-073.

Mr. Paul Cegla, Hennepin County Benefits Manager, testified in support of the bill.

Sen. Larson moved H.F. 656/S.F. 190 be recommended to pass.

Sen. Larson moved amendment LCPR03-072. MOTION PREVAILED.

Sen. Larson moved H.F. 656/S.F. 190, as amended, be recommended to pass and be included in the omnibus pension bill. MOTION PREVAILED.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.