Transcript Highlights:

• also contains several technical changes to procedures the SBI uses to bill statewide pension systems, MSRS
• other people in the crowd that will never get recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS
• other people in the crowd that will never get recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS

Bills: HF4074

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, MSRS, PERA, TRA, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, police and fire, correctional employees, probation officers, telecommunicators, dispatchers, 911 operators, public safety answering point, PSAP, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, fire relief association, state aid

Bills: SF2884, HF1889

Keywords: pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:03.199> general active employees of the MSRS general active employees of the MSRS general
• And um and covered under the MSRS plan.
• And currently in within MSRS general.
• And so they could use that to of MSRS.
• <01:38:24.480> pension dedicated seat on the MSRS pension dedicated seat on the MSRS pension

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:36.880> folks cash flow so when the P TR msrs folks cash flow so when the P TR msrs
• <00:42:22.319> Patrol change proposals msrs Patrol change proposals msrs Patrol postretirement
• method of Correction was um msrs method of Correction was um msrs prospectively<00:54:22.079>
• HF 1889 is the MSRS administrative bill.
• <01:40:28.199> uh HF 2237 improves Minnesota's msrs uh HF 2237 improves Minnesota's msrs uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:54.400> the<00:03:54.560> recommended MSRS and PAR approved the recommended MSRS
• directives directors of MSRS and PAR. directives directors of MSRS and PAR.
• Um, so the MSRS board does not MSRS.
• MSRS plan.
• Um, so that is the MSRS MSRS plan.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:31.480> take<00:07:31.800> this Um MSRS and PERA already take this Um MSRS and
• MSRS did not have the same concern.
• MSRS did not have the same concern. MSRS did not have the same concern.
• for including MSRS. for including MSRS.
• Specifically speaking to the MSRS Specifically speaking to the MSRS provisions<01:13:36.960>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission approved the March 17 minutes and then heard testimony on Senate File 4419 / House File 4069, as amended, which would exempt J-1 visa-holding teachers and their school districts from Teachers Retirement Association contribution requirements during the teachers’ exchange term. Senator Pappas and Representative Feist said the bill is intended to help districts fill hard-to-staff special education and other positions by letting J-1 teachers keep more of their pay for immediate relocation costs, while also redirecting employer savings toward onboarding, mentorship, and cultural orientation. They argued the teachers are temporary by design, often cannot stay long enough to benefit from TRA, and that the bill would be roughly neutral for TRA because contributions and matching liability would both be removed. Supportive testimony came from Matthew Connelly of Lattice Global Teachers and Melissa Schaller of Intermediate School District 917. Connelly said J-1 teachers arrive with significant upfront expenses and only a short window to establish themselves, and that the exemption could save them about $4,000 to $5,000 while helping schools afford recruitment and support costs. Schaller said her district has relied on international special education teachers to fill vacancies, that the H-1B option is no longer workable because of a large fee increase, and that J-1 hiring is needed to remain competitive; she noted 17 open special education positions for 2026-27 and no other applicants. Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota opposed the bill, arguing it lowers compensation and removes a retirement option without enough input from teachers themselves. She said the bill does not ensure the employer savings would be used for housing or other supports, and urged more direct consultation with J-1 teachers. Several members raised concerns about fairness, pension protection, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences for teachers who later remain in Minnesota. Senator Pappas responded that the circumstances are unusual because J-1 teachers are temporary and often cannot return, and said TRA had indicated the proposal would be neutral or supportive, unlike a separate St. Paul teachers issue. Representative O’Driscoll asked about J-1 teachers in higher education and private schools, and Mr. Connelly said the visa is mainly used in K-12 settings but can also appear in charter and private schools; he also noted many J-1 holders face a two-year home-residence requirement. The chair indicated the bill was slated for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill, but no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is just a snippet from the MSRS general plan.
• And this is just a snippet from the MSRS general plan.
• So, in total, MSRS is responsible for over 37 billion.
• the legislative leazison for the MSRS. the legislative leazison for the MSRS.
• MSRs general plan has been um thing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while so today I want to go over msrs while so today I want to go over msrs msrs<00:18:26.760>
• Leonard described for MSRS.
• Leonard described for MSRS.
• Leonard described for MSRS.
• <01:14:06.800> state police and fire and the msrs state police and fire and the msrs state

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to section two which applies to the MSRS to section two which applies to the MSRS state<00:05:27.840
• The MSRS 139. My comments will be brief.
• Uh, Patrol Retirement Plan, MSRS board.
• MSRS plan still capped at 1%. MSRS plan still capped at 1%.
• <02:00:57.119> Correctional recommendations of MSRS Correctional recommendations of MSRS Correctional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, what's before you at the moment is the MSRS administrative changes bill.
• improvements, it'll be because that's the amount and these changes, um, you know, for example, the MSRS
• c><00:17:21.120> for<00:17:21.199> example<00:17:21.520> the<00:17:21.679> MSRS
• changes um you know for example the MSRS changes um you know for example the MSRS COLA<00:17:22.799
• funding status MSRS parah TRA and<00:17:34.880> there's<00:17:35.200> no<00:17:35.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul teachers, MSRS, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there making sure that
• Paul teachers, MSRS, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there making sure that
• Paul teachers, MSRS, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there making sure that
• Paul teachers um authority um<00:27:01.559> MSRS<00:27:02.559> I<00:27:02.720> mean<
• I mean these guys these guys are um MSRS I mean these guys these guys are the<00:27:05.279> ones<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On the one hand, for the MSRS folks, there is an employer contribution that would be increased, and so
• It ends up breaking down as $390,000 one-time for MSRS and $2.6 million for PERA.
• It's a subplan of the MSRS General Plan.
• It is a fully new plan and it has the same benefits as the MSRS subplan that I just mentioned.
• has the same benefits as the MSRS has the same benefits as the MSRS subplan<00:10:52.320> that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's MSRS, PERA, and TRA. exception. exception.
• That's<00:03:13.640> MSRS,<00:03:14.440> PERA,<00:03:15.000> and<00:03:15.239>
• as well as the deferred comp by MSRS as well as the deferred comp plan<00:09:07.839> and<00:09
• MSRS, and PERA. MSRS, and PERA.
• ,<00:40:33.200> two executive director of MSRS, two executive director of MSRS, two appointees

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Teachers Authority, MSRS—I mean, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there
• Paul Teachers Authority, MSRS—I mean, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there
• Paul Teachers Authority, MSRS—I mean, these guys are the ones that are really doing the work out there
• It reduced their pension... teachers um authority teachers um authority um<00:37:11.160> MSRS<
• I mean these guys these guys are um MSRS I mean these guys these guys are the<00:37:14.880> ones<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to then increase COLA for retirees under the MSRS state patrol plan from a fixed rate of
• The MSRS Board of Directors doesn’t have a formal position on this bill.
• And we also are extending it to PERA and to MSRS and any of the subplans and other plans that we have
• <01:13:14.640> and are extending it to PERA and to MSRS and are extending it to PERA and to
• would or would not cover MSRS? would or would not cover MSRS?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• then you will also see on lines 17 and 18 there are two lines that relate to direct state aid for MSRS
• direct<00:08:38.080> state<00:08:38.440> aid<00:08:38.640> for<00:08:38.960> MSRS
• 00:08:40.320> and,<00:08:40.880> uh,<00:08:41.280> PERA, direct state aid for MSRS
• and, uh, PERA, direct state aid for MSRS and, uh, PERA, and<00:08:42.479> this<00:08:42.680><

Transcript Highlights:

• that there's a $3 million one-time appropriation that would be split in an account partially between MSRS
• No, 390,000 in one year for MSRS and 2.61 million for PAR.
• Uh, and then it also similarly gives money to the MSRS general plan, which will be administering the
• /c><00:36:15.200> general<00:36:15.599> plan<00:36:16.240> which money to the MSRS
• general plan which money to the MSRS general plan which will<00:36:16.640> be<00:36:16.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so part of that is management's estimate of the proportionate share of the MSRS, or the Minnesota
• estimate of the proportionate share of estimate of the proportionate share of the<00:06:32.639> MSRS
• > or<00:06:33.520> the<00:06:33.680> Minnesota<00:06:34.080> State the MSRS
• or the Minnesota State the MSRS or the Minnesota State Retirement<00:06:34.880> System.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• MSRS has both pension plans that they oversee, as well as defined contribution plans.
• <00:30:03.840> um Minnesota State Retirement System um Minnesota State Retirement System um msrs
• uh has um both pension plans that msrs uh has um both pension plans that they<00:30:07.960> oversee
• :14.799> plans<00:30:15.080> for<00:30:15.240> the<00:30:15.399> state msrs
• oversees the plans for the state msrs oversees the plans for the state employees<00:30:16.840> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• MSRS people watching these funds, TRA watching all the important funds for teachers, St.
• <00:04:53.919> MSRS<00:04:54.800> people funds, do an amazing work.
• MSRS people funds, do an amazing work.
• MSRS people watching<00:04:55.520> these<00:04:55.720> funds,<00:04:56.200> TRA

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4074, the second engrossment of the retirement bill, was presented as a broad pension package with changes affecting multiple public retirement systems. Rep. Lilly described provisions including bringing St. Paul teachers closer to parity with TRA, reducing the COLA waiting period for police and fire retirees from two years to one, lowering the retirement age for certain probation, corrections, and 911 telecommunicator workers from 60 to 55, addressing a State Board of Investments fix, and creating or continuing work on Secure Choice and other retirement-related issues. Members also noted help for volunteer firefighters, EMS-related workers, and a local fix for Maple Plain’s volunteer fire system. The bill was repeatedly described as bipartisan and the product of successful working groups and negotiations with the Senate. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of public pensions, the impact of inflation on retirees, and the value of the bill’s targeted improvements for workers who are often not covered by Social Security. Rep. Johnson, Rep. Hill, Rep. Vega, Rep. Robbins, Rep. Cha, and others praised the work of the pension commission, staff, and the co-chairs. They highlighted the St. Paul teachers changes, the police and fire COLA adjustment, and the bill’s efforts to honor promises made to public employees. Some members also pointed to the importance of work groups as a way to develop better long-term solutions. The main point of debate centered on the duty disability amendment, which would have addressed disability issues for first responders. Supporters said the issue is serious and needs a work group solution rather than piecemeal changes, while Rep. Johnson and others warned that the proposal could create problems by treating psychological injuries differently from physical injuries. Rep. Roach said the body should not have passed the prior law and urged a fix for disabled law enforcement and first responders. After discussion, Rep. Lilly withdrew the A3 amendment. Earlier technical amendments A9 and A10 were adopted by voice vote, with members noting they were non-substantive and intended to keep House and Senate language identical and avoid a conference committee. The bill then moved to third reading as amended, with members urging a green vote.