COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 60

(By Senators Foster and McKenzie)

[Originating on the Committee on Pensions]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of granting additional retirement service credit to members of West Virginia's public retirement systems for all periods of active service in the armed forces of the United States.

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the honorable commitment required of the men and women in the armed forces during times of grave danger, conflict and war; and
Whereas, Public servants who enter into active military service do so for the good of our citizenry and with great personal sacrifice; and
Whereas, Men and women serving in the National Guard and Reserves are increasingly being called to respond to crisis overseas; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board administers eight independent state retirement systems; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System provides retirement benefits for approximately 35,800 active employees of the state and other political subdivisions, the West Virginia Teachers' Retirement System serves approximately 19,500 active employees of the state and the West Virginia Teachers' Defined Contribution Plan currently has approximately 19,200 active employees; and
Whereas, Members of the Public Employees Retirement System are eligible to receive up to five years of military service credit toward retirement for compulsory military service or specified periods of armed conflict; and
Whereas, Further study is needed to determine whether armed conflicts other than those specified under the Public Employees Retirement System qualify for additional service credit; and
Whereas, Additional military service credit may be purchased by members of state retirement plans under the federal guidelines of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of granting additional retirement service credit to members of West Virginia's public retirement systems for all periods of active service in the armed forces of the United States; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2009, 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.