SB 304 -- POLICE MILITARY LEAVE

SPONSOR:  Ridgeway (Ervin)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Veterans Affairs by a vote of 11 to 0.

This bill changes the laws regarding military leave for Kansas
City police officers and civilian employees.  Members of the
Police Retirement System of Kansas City and the Civilian
Employees' Retirement System of the Police Department of Kansas
City who are on leave of absence due to military service in which
the United States has declared war, a compulsory draft, or the
combat mobilization of any units of the military reserves are
entitled to service credit for the time spent in the military
service.  During their military service, members are not required
to pay any member contributions into the retirement system.

If it becomes necessary for the years of the service to be
included in the calculation of the member's compensation, the
member will be deemed to have received the same compensation
throughout the period of service as the member's base annual
salary immediately prior to the commencement of the leave of
absence.

Eligible members who are absent because of the military leave are
entitled to federal employment and re-employment rights.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill authorizes the Kansas
City Police Retirement Board to count the active duty military
service of Kansas City police officers toward their retirement.
Since September 11, 2001, about 40 police officers have been
called to active service.  The bill will give them credit in the
retirement system for the time they were on active duty.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Ridgeway; Kansas City Police
Employees' Retirement Systems; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
Missouri Veterans Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm