HCS SB 127 -- MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY
PATROL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM

SPONSOR:  Mayer (Schlottach)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Special
Committee on Retirement by a vote of 8 to 0.

Currently, a uniformed member of the State Highway Patrol may
purchase up to four years of his or her prior creditable service
as a nonfederal, full-time public employee if he or she is not
receiving or eligible to receive credits or benefits from any
other public plan for the service being purchased.  This
substitute allows any member of the Missouri Department of
Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System
(MPERS) to purchase the service.

The purchase of this service must be completed prior to his or
her retirement or termination of employment.  If a member who
purchased service dies prior to retirement, the surviving spouse
can receive a refund of the amount contributed for the purchase
if he or she is not eligible for survivor benefits.

The substitute also adds one new member to the board of trustees
of MPERS.  Currently, the retired employees of the Department of
Transportation and the civilian or uniformed highway patrol
select one member.  Each group will be allowed to elect one board
member.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows nonuniformed
members of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway
Patrol Employees' Retirement System to purchase nonfederal
service just like other state employee can.  This is an equity
issue, and all employees need to be allowed this opportunity.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Mayer; and Highway and
Transportation Employees' Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am