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On January 26, 2009, the legislative
committee of the North Carolina PBA met in Cary to set the 2009 - 2010
legislative agenda for the Association. Following a review of the last
legislative session, and the 2008 candidate screening process, the
decision was made to pursue the following legislative agenda. Included
in the agenda is the latest legislative action on the corresponding
bills to date.
Agenda Item 1 - 25 Year Retirement
SB624, Senator Julia Boseman
Due to the current economic situation in our state and nationally, we
have asked that action on this bill be delayed until the short session.
A house bill has also been drafted by
PBA-supported legislators and also is being held until the short
session.
Agenda Item 2 - Development of Widow/Widower Pension Fund
Legislation
SB411, Senator Pete Brunstetter
Amend survivor’s alternate benefit HB766, Representatives Womble,
Parmon, Mobley and Jones.
Introduced in honor of PBA member Sgt. Howard Plouff who was killed in
the line of duty, SB411 allows the surviving spouse of a fallen officer
to choose a lump sum payout of the officer’s or trooper’s pension
contributions or choose to have a life-time monthly pension. Current law
does not allow for a monthly pension option.
SB411 received a favorable report in the Senate Pensions and Retirement
Committee and on April 14, 2009, passed the Senate 49 - 0 and has been
sent to the House.
On April 15, 2009, the house companion bill to SB411, HB766 was
presented by Representatives Larry Womble and Parmon, and passed the
House Homeland Security Committee This bill is now headed to the House
Pension and Retirement Committee and will be heard on April 25, 2009.
Agenda Item 3 - Remove Restrictions/Law Enforcement Disability
Benefits
HB697, Representatives Dickson, Martin, McLawhorn and Wiley
SB697, Senator Foriest
HB697 was heard in the House Homeland Security Committee on April 8,
2009. The bill received a favorable report and was re-referenced to the
House Pensions and Retirement Committee where it should be heard soon.
SB697 should be heard soon in the Senate Pensions and Retirement
Committee where our bill sponsor, Senator Foriest, is the committee
chairman.
Agenda Item 4 - Address Broad Interpretation of the Separation
Allowance Clause
HB816, Representative Cotham
Clarify special separation allowance
SB986, Senator McKissick, Jr.
HB816 is scheduled to be heard in the House or Senate Pensions and
Retirement Committees on April 29, 2009. SB 986 is expected to be
heard during the first week of may.
We will keep you posted.
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