Video & Transcript Research : 'Roth contributions'
Page 31 of 415
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JDC, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 03-18-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- would extend the ban um on contributions would extend the ban um on contributions in<00:32:33.360
- <00:34:43.359>
This political contributions. This political contributions. - contractors to report their contribution contractors to report their contribution at<00:34:58.640
- This related to campaign contributions.
- Clarifies that lobbyist contributions.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 126, which would change civil asset forfeiture law. The Attorney General’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, and county prosecutors opposed the bill’s proposed SD1, arguing that requiring a criminal conviction and changing how forfeiture proceeds are distributed would weaken or effectively end the tool, create fiscal and law enforcement problems, and make it harder to address organized crime or cases where an owner cannot be identified. The Public Defender’s Office, Community Alliance on Prisons, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and other supporters argued the measure would improve transparency and accountability, protect property rights, and reduce abuses that disproportionately affect low-income people. The chair questioned law enforcement about fairness, storage of seized property, and access to counsel, and the discussion focused heavily on whether forfeiture should depend on a conviction. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard HB 280, which would make the Community Outreach Court permanent and appropriate funds for it as a division of the First Circuit district court. The Department of the Attorney General and Judiciary supported the concept and described the court’s success in helping people resolve cases, clear license stoppers, recall bench warrants, and access services, but suggested amendments to remove the Attorney General from the bill’s definition and funding mechanism. The Public Defender, Department of Human Services, mental health and substance use advocates, neighborhood and community groups, and others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing its benefits for people facing housing instability, behavioral health issues, and transportation barriers. No opposition was voiced, and no vote was taken.
The committee also heard HB 370, which would increase partial public campaign financing for elective offices. The Campaign Spending Commission supported the original bill and asked the committee to restore the original percentage amounts, keep the proposed funding increases, and reinstate funding for two additional full-time staff positions. Supporters said the public financing system has not kept pace with inflation and needs modernization to be viable; a few testifiers opposed the measure. The committee reported 30 in support, two opposed, and one comment, and then moved on without a vote. Finally, HB 371 was heard, a campaign contribution bill that would bar state and county contractors, grantees, and certain related persons from contributing during the contract period. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is intended to address pay-to-play concerns and false-name contributions, while the State Procurement Office raised concerns about the burden of requiring agencies to provide contract information for all contracts regardless of dollar value. The testimony ended with the commission saying it was working with procurement and the Attorney General on implementation details; no vote was taken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- place in the contribution in the future. place in the contribution in the future.
- off on the employer contribution to 1%. off on the employer contribution to 1%.
- <00:45:16.400>
would employer's additional contribution would employer's additional contribution - >
members <00:46:06.480>have contribution that these members have contribution that these - supplemental employer contribution supplemental employer contribution longer<00:50:53.119>
than
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance (2-18-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- >
contributing contributing phasing into contributing contributing phasing into contributing an - <00:12:26.800>
that that fixed statutory contribution that that fixed statutory contribution - Teacher contributions answer.
- <00:18:48.320>
to to change how teacher contributions to to change how teacher contributions - on contributions and on funding levels. on contributions and on funding levels.
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments.
Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts.
Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/17/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:15.480>
to including money for contributions to including money for contributions to - contribution contribution um<00:53:56.800>
to <00:53:56.920>the <00:53:57.040>pension - contribution rate? contribution rate? Great<00:54:16.880>
question. - > time employer contribution for that time employer contribution for that time um<00:56:26.800>
direct contribution from the employee. direct contribution from the employee.
Summary:
The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill.
The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill.
The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- >
are <00:18:46.480>not and if those contributions are not and if those contributions are - maximum amount the TRS will contribute maximum amount the TRS will contribute to<00:25:02.320>
<00:25:54.799>And maximum amount we'll contribute. And maximum amount we'll contribute. - and that's going to be contributions and that's going to be contributions coming<00:53:46.240>
- K board select the contribution and the K board select the contribution and the monthly<00:58:06.000>
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:35
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55
Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56
Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12
Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58
Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13
Adjournment: 01:08:10, 958, all
Summary:
The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants.
Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation.
TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear.
Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Reporting of campaign contributions from outside district required under HF1447 3/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- What we're talking about is small-dollar contributions at this point, under $200.
- from a $5 or $10, $40 contribution from California or from Texas or wherever.
- from a $5 or $10 $40 contribution from a $5 or $10 $40 contribution<00:19:18.679>
from <00:19: - And if it's a contribution made in the state, we would keep the current rules.
- What they can do is say, is this a contribution made outside the state?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But our contributions are not limited to medicine or science or business.
- Jewish Americans have contributed to progress in nearly every field imaginable...
- Their contributions have left a lasting impact on our state and our nation.
- Their contributions have left a lasting impact on our state and our nation.
- Today we celebrate Jewish Americans' resiliency and their many contributions.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer from Rabbi Mona Alfie, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then held its first official Jewish American Heritage Month ceremony, beginning with Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel. Gabriel and several colleagues from multiple caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing Jewish Californians’ contributions, the diversity of the Jewish community, solidarity with other communities, and opposition to anti-Semitism. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the Assembly then recognized 14 honorees for their service and leadership in California.
After the ceremony, members offered guest introductions and the body moved to floor business. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Bonta, which would add affordability as a required factor in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the CPUC, create an Office of Broadband, and expand legislative appointments to the commission, was adopted. The Assembly also passed AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 labor law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on pupil instruction, AB 2274 and AB 2273 on criminal justice and child sexual abuse-related prosecutorial practices, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a potential land exemption, AB 1956 on suicide prevention for young men and boys, AB 1809 on job order contracting, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding authority for advanced practice clinicians, and AB 2055 on vessel law modernization.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia, after extensive debate reflecting both support and criticism over LGBTQ rights and parental rights issues. Several measures were passed with recorded votes, while some items were passed and retained on file or continued. The transcript ends as the Assembly was moving into AB 2059, a CEQA-related bill on rural transportation projects, with the sponsor describing it as a narrow exemption for 21 rural counties.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Nov 5th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Because those higher salaries mean higher contributions.
- Restoring a 2% COLA at age 65 would require an additional 1.5% contribution.
- When they reach age 65, it would be $759 million or an increased contribution of 1.53%.
- to take contributions pre-tax.
- One thing that is routinely brought up is required contributions.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- would have two years of contributions. would have two years of contributions.
- contributions to a more safer community. contributions to a more safer community.
- So, they take the base contribution and add in the additional contribution.
- Miss Lanchesky, they take the base contribution and add in the additional contribution.
- the recommended contribution rate. the recommended contribution rate.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Texas Ethics Commission Sep 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- it keeps those corporate contributions in an account separate from its contributions from individuals
- It operates in multiple states and uses the corporate contributions.
- In states where corporate contributions are permissible to make direct, to make, uh, direct contributions
- means that it cannot make contributions to Texas candidates.
- Given the amount of contributions remaining reported on every report, the numbers of contributions in
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 25th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate their expertise and contributions to the people of the great state of California.
- The contributions of our immigrant communities enrich our state.
- The contributions of our immigrant communities enrich our state.
- But for too long, their contributions have been deliberately erased.
- It is a history that all of us... ...of transgender leadership and contributions.
Summary:
The Assembly met on July 17, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through a long ceremonial and floor session. The chamber recognized the 2025 Science and Technology Policy Fellows, the 2024-25 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellows, and the 2025 Assembly Fellows, and also heard guest introductions honoring Brad Webb of Legislative Counsel, youth advocates supporting AB 1231, the Live Oak Lady Lions softball team, the new UC President J.B. Milliken, the Rohnert Park 11-and-under Cal Ripken All-Star team, and arts leaders from Auburn. The Assembly also took up several procedural motions, including removing some bills from the consent calendar and noting absences.
On the floor, members adopted ACR 12 designating November 1 as Fernando Valenzuela Day, with broad support and 66 co-authors, and later adopted H.R. 56 recognizing August 2025 as Chicano Heritage Month, with 65 co-authors. The Assembly also adopted ACR 101 naming a portion of State Highway Route 46 the James Dean Memorial Highway, and H.R. 50 proclaiming November 25, 2025, as Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, with members emphasizing survivor support and prevention. In each case, authors and supporters highlighted the cultural, historical, or public-safety significance of the measures.
The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments on several bills, including AB 359 on the Political Reform Act, AB 594 on student health insurance protections, AB 1085 banning license plate obstruction devices and penalizing sellers, AB 1286 on public employment transparency, and AB 1505, the Agriculture Committee omnibus bill. AJR 14, urging federal attention to the impact of tariffs on California ports, passed 44-1 after debate over trade policy and port jobs. AJR 17, calling for modernization of immigration law and a pathway to lawful status for long-term undocumented residents, passed 47-7 after extensive debate focused on immigrant families, the economy, and federal enforcement actions. The Assembly also adopted the resolutions by voice vote where required and recorded the roll-call results for the joint resolutions.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:16.000>
for uh which charitable contributions for uh which charitable contributions - deduction for charitable contributions deduction for charitable contributions made<00:27:21.840>
- <00:41:32.800>
HR1 Uh, for charitable contributions, HR1 Uh, for charitable contributions, HR1 - all contributions which means all contributions<00:41:49.280>
are <00:41:49.520>reduced - $4,000 some of charitable contributions. $4,000 some of charitable contributions.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (2-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Then you have the employee contribution out of all of these.
- , which is 3.75%; the school district contribution of 3%; the state contribution of 7.5%; and the amount
- Representative Tipton continued that the employee contribution of 3.75% would continue to go into the
- <00:08:23.680>
contribution 3.75% the school district contribution 3.75% the school district - <00:08:44.959>
of deals with the employer contribution of deals with the employer contribution
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:17
Attendance Roll Call: 00:41
Approval of Minutes: 02:40
HB 694: 03:16
SB 183: 18:32
Discussion on PPOB Membership: 36:10
Adjournment: 42:35, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its January 27 meeting and then took up House Bill 694, which would create a default rule for the Teachers’ Retirement System health insurance trust fund once it reaches 100% funding, currently anticipated around 2027. The bill would redirect two funding streams now going to the health trust—state payments on behalf of local districts and other employer contributions—into TRS pension benefits if the health fund reaches and maintains full funding. The sponsor said this would add about $154 million annually to TRS pensions and would only serve as a default if no other plan is adopted later.
Members asked whether the bill would shift the unfunded liability to teachers or affect employee contributions. The sponsor and staff said it would not shift liability to teachers and would not change the employee contribution; only the employer-side payments would be redirected. Several members asked about the meaning of actuarial 100% funding, whether the fund could fall back below 100%, and whether employee contributions might be reduced in the future. The sponsor said the bill is based on actuarial projections, would revert the money back to the health trust if funding fell below 100%, and does not prevent future legislative or board action. Senator Higdon and others spoke in support of discussing the issue, noting the 2010 shared-responsibility changes and the need for a default approach as full funding is reached.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 183, which would amend Kentucky law governing proxy advisers used by retirement systems. The sponsor said the bill would require proxy advisers, when handling shareholder-sponsored proposals, to act solely in the interest of retirement system members and beneficiaries and to provide an economic analysis when voting against a company board’s recommendation. He argued the measure is aimed at proxy advisers such as ISS and Glass Lewis, which he said often advance ESG-related proposals not tied to shareholder value. A guest from APCIA said the bill is meant to distinguish proxy advisers from investment managers and to strengthen the 2023 law by requiring a clearer economic justification for votes that depart from board recommendations.
Members asked how proxy advisers differ from other financial advisers, whether Kentucky uses them, and whether the bill would prevent pension funds from investing in companies with ESG factors if those investments are profitable. The sponsor and guest said the bill would not bar such investments; it is intended to regulate proxy voting recommendations, not investment decisions. They described the bill as a proactive measure to reinforce fiduciary responsibility and limit outside proxy influence on pension voting. No final vote on either bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Local and Private - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:45 AM
Local and Private
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:36.440>
money be able to contribute money be able to contribute money to<00:02:38.160 - House Bill 1832, Humphreys County, authorizing the contribution of a one-time contribution of 25,000
- authorizing the contribution authorizing the contribution of<00:05:16.200>
a <00:05:16.240 - c><00:05:18.200>
to of a one-time contribution of 25,000 to of a one-time contribution of 25,000 - This is a contribution of funds involving the Benevolent Protection of the Elks World Hill Lodge.
Summary:
The committee took up a long list of local and special-purpose bills, mostly involving county or municipal utility districts, repealers on local taxes, and small local appropriations. Early actions included House Bill 2210 for Bolivar County, creating a utility district in Choctaw for sewer operations and maintenance, and Senate Bill 3408, which by committee substitute renamed the Yazoo economic partnership to the Yazoo Economic Alliance and clarified its economic and industrial development powers. Members asked whether the Yazoo entity already existed and whether it could own property; the sponsor said it was already in statute and the change was primarily a name update with added flexibility to share and contribute funds to projects. Both bills passed without opposition.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 3409 for Lowndes County, authorizing the Mississippi Industrial Fire and Rescue District to serve as the site of a megasite around the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority. Other local measures passed included House Bill 1599 extending Brandon’s prepared-food sales tax repealer for tourism and parks, House Bill 1811 for Noxubee County extending justice court assessment repealers for county capital improvements, and several Humphreys County bills authorizing one-time contributions to the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation and the Belzoni Humphreys Development Foundation. Additional bills extended or renewed local tourism, parks, and recreation taxes in Belzoni, Oakland, Ripley, Southaven, and Fulton, and authorized or extended local court-cost assessments in Prentiss County.
Later, the committee approved House Bill 1870 for Bolivar County, creating a sewer district and allowing the county to operate it, noting it duplicated the earlier Senate bill at the senator’s request. It also passed House Bill 1887 authorizing a $5,000 contribution to the Benevolent Protection of the Elks World Hill Lodge, House Bill 4000 for Grenada allowing construction, acquisition, and maintenance of wastewater collection and treatment systems, and House Bill 4112 for Tupelo restoring funds for the Northeast Mississippi Regional Wastewater District after an unintended consequence of a prior grocery tax change. Finally, Senate Bill 3410 was added off-agenda to authorize Brandon and the West Rankin utility system to enter into an agreement with a local operator for use of treated water for industrial purposes; a member asked who would approve the contract, and the sponsor said the board and city would approve it. All measures discussed were reported out or passed, generally by unanimous or voice vote, with no recorded opposition.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- or student contribution beginning in fiscal 26.
- or student contribution beginning in fiscal 26.
- or student contribution beginning in fiscal 26.
- or student contribution beginning in fiscal 26.
uh contribution or student contribution uh contribution or student contribution uh beginning<
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/08/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Neto, to your bill as amended. the phrase define contribution from the phrase define contribution
- contribution increase of 3.8%. contribution increase of 3.8%.
- employer's contribution. employer's contribution.
- <01:19:38.239>
to year of teaching and contributing to year of teaching and contributing to - large part of my mandated contributions large part of my mandated contributions are<01:19:53.600
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ability to rely on small contributions ability to rely on small contributions and<00:24:00.240><
- A corporation may not make a contribution or offer or agree to make a contribution.
- are corporations contributions but are corporations making<00:42:33.880>
contributions <00:42: - <00:43:54.599>
a statute uh prohibited contributions a statute uh prohibited contributions - corporation may not make a contribution corporation may not make a contribution or<00:43:58.839>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/21/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- contribution increase of 2.7%. contribution increase of 2.7%.
- I don't know how many years that box went on where there were not contributions, contributions, contributions
- So, from the contribution side, that's the legacy where we see a higher contribution rate from St.
- So, from the contribution side, that's the legacy where we see a higher contribution rate from St.
- contribution. Is that correct? contribution. Is that correct?
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind.
Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul.
Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- said did your campaign contributions said did your campaign contributions make<01:26:53.560>
- are making those kind of contributions are making those kind of contributions are<01:26:59.800><
- right or the the monetary contribution right or the the monetary contribution<01:32:20.480>
the - <01:32:26.560>
for deemed as an in-kind contribution for deemed as an in-kind contribution - um but the actual in-kind contribution um but the actual in-kind contributions<01:32:52.280>
and<
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- not even having an actuary annually calculate their contributions.
- <00:30:04.360>
and actually recommended contributions and actually recommended contributions - <00:30:09.600>
they're calculate their contributions they're calculate their contributions - Current contributions are expected to be $470 million for FY 2024.
- <01:41:10.920>
and adequacy of contributions and adequacy of contributions and required<01