HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 51
(By Delegates Tucker, Varner, Shelton,
Stemple, Laird, J. Smith, Campbell, Jenkins,
Williams, Hubbard, Hall and Harrison)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study of the costs and benefits of permitting members of
municipal police and fire departments to retire after twenty-
five years of service regardless of age.
Whereas, Municipal police and firefighters have requested
legislation that would permit retirement after twenty-five years of
service regardless of age; and
Whereas, The risks, pressures and physical demands on members
of police and fire departments are unique to those professions and
merit study of the request for alternative retirement provisions;
and
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the participants in
retirement funds that the financial integrity of the funds be
maintained; and
Whereas, Retirement eligibility after twenty-five years without
age restriction may have an adverse affect on the actuarial
soundness of the affected pension funds; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study the feasibility of
permitting members of police and fire departments to retire after
twenty-five years of service regardless of age, and to make
recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2001, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.