SB 317 -- MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY PATROL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM SPONSOR: Mayer (Johnson, 47) COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on Retirement by a vote of 10 to 0. Currently, uniformed members of the State Highway Patrol are allowed to purchase, prior to retirement, up to four years of creditable service for prior service performed as a non-federal, full-time public employee in this state if the service is not creditable in any other retirement system. This bill extends this provision to employees of the Highways and Transportation Commission, uniformed members of the State Highway Patrol, and civilian or non-uniformed employees of the patrol. A provision requiring an affidavit to be filed stating that the member is not receiving creditable service from any other public plan for the service is removed. Service purchased under this provision must be completed prior to retirement or termination of employment. If a member who purchased service dies prior to retirement, their surviving spouse may, upon written request, receive a refund of the amount paid for the service, if the surviving spouse is not entitled to survivor benefits based on the service. FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and FY 2008. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill will allow for the purchase of up to four years of non-federal, full-time public employment service for all employees of the State Highway Patrol. This will provide for a fair and equitable benefit to those employees. Testifying for the bill were Senator Mayer; and Highway and Transportation Employees' Association. OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Marc Webb, Legislative AnalystCopyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives