On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, three PBA bills were heard in the Senate Pensions and Retirement Committee:
 

Senate Bill 624, 25 year law enforcement retirement sponsored by Senator Julia Boseman.
 

Senator Julia Boseman speaking on 25 Year Retirement Legislation

Senate Bill 986, Clarify local separation allowance sponsored by Senator Floyd McKissick.
 

Senate Bill 557, Remove restriction/LEO disability benefits sponsored by Senator Tony Foriest.

SB 624 and SB 557 were heard by the committee but not voted on due to continued budget reports to law makers that the bottom of the state financial crisis has yet to be found.

Over a dozen PBA members in attendance were joined by the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, and the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association in supporting all three bills.

SB 986 received a favorable committee report and was referred to the full Senate. On Monday evening, May 10, 2009, both SB 986 and companion bill HB 816 were calendared in the Senate and House. Both bills passed within minutes of each other unanimously and without debate. SB 986 passed 48 - 0 and HB 816 passed 117 - 0.

Senate Bill 986 Sponsor Senator Floyd McKissick with PBA Members

Each bill was engrossed and sent to the opposite chamber. Upon concurrences, the bills will be sent to the Governor to sign. Without objection these bills will be the second of five PBA agenda items that will thus far become law. SB 624 will likely be placed as a study bill for possible consideration in the short session depending on the states financial status.

To date, our lone disappointment has been with SB 557/HB 697, LEO Disability Benefits. This bill did not meet the crossover deadline of May 14, 2009. While the Senate bill was at least heard, HB 697 despite having 35 house members who co-sponsored the bill, could not get a hearing before the House Pensions and Retirement Committee.

The committee chairman, Representative Russell Tucker from Duplin and Onslow counties, refused to allow the bill to come before his committee. Despite pressure from our bill sponsors and over 25 PBA members who directly called Representative Tucker, he refused to calendar the bill. A former county manager, Representative Tucker advised that the bill was too expensive and would treat police officers and firefighters differently than other local and county workers.

Thus far, the League of Municipalities and the County Commissioners Association have not taken a public position on the bill, but Representative Tucker says they are against the bill. Calls from PBA to the County Commissioners Association have not been returned. We will keep you posted.

If you know of fellow officers in Onslow or Duplin counties, let them know what their representative is doing. Encourage them to join the PBA. A lack of members in this area did the most damage in the current status of the bill.