On June 24th and 25th, I attended the State Administration and Veterans Affairs (SAVA) Interim Committee meeting in Helena where we discussed two of the state's retirement programs as directed by House Bill 659. There were also a number of requests by various stake holders and state agencies brought before the committee in an effort to get our input on their requests and our support in requesting bill drafts on their behalf.

On June 24th and 25th, I attended the State Administration and Veterans Affairs (SAVA) Interim Committee meeting in Helena where we discussed two of the state's retirement programs as directed by House Bill 659. There were also a number of requests by various stake holders and state agencies brought before the committee in an effort to get our input on their requests and our support in requesting bill drafts on their behalf.

The Montana Association of County Clerks and Recorders submitted a bill request to the SAVA Committee to extend the mail ballot election option and allow primary and general elections to be conducted by mail if a county elected to do so.

The Secretary of State bill draft requests included the clean-up and clarification of statutes related to business entities; a provision for digital imaging of records; rulemaking authority for notary functions; the clean-up and synchronization of election laws; lowering the age for election judges to include 16 and 17 year olds; and establishing the procedures for a special election after an interim appointment to fill vacancies in the U.S. Senate.

The Commissioner of Political Practices Office requested our consideration for a bill draft that would eliminate local registration and disclosure filing for legislative and statewide candidates.

The Department of Military Affairs bill draft requests included clarifying roles and responsibilities for recovery of expenses related to orphan hazardous materials; housekeeping; and amending the allocation of search and rescue funds between mission reimbursements and training and equipment needs.

The Department of Administration bill draft requests included coordination of insurance benefits verses subrogation; extension of the 9-1-1 fund distribution; amending the Montana Mortgage Broker and Mortgage Lender Licensing Act; extending the Bond Validating Act; consolidating state employee benefit plan requirements within Title 2; regulate and license money transmitters; amending the Montana Deferred Deposit Loan Act; amending the Montana Title Loan Act; elimination of the Publishing Policy Committee; procedures for local government auditor selection; stale warrants presentation; and cancellation cleanup.

The Montana Public Employees Retirement Administration and Public Employees Retirement Board bill draft requests included housekeeping; a rewrite of the Volunteer Firefighters' Compensation Act (VFCA); requiring employer contributions on compensation paid to working retires in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Game Wardens and Peace Officers Retirement System (GWPORS) and the Sheriff's Retirement Services (SRS); benefit and funding changes to PERS, SRS and GWPORS.

The Teachers Retirement System (TRS) bill draft requests included funding proposals, housekeeping and Optional Retirement Program (ORP) supplemental rate adjustments.

MEA-MFT, Public Schools, and Public Service requested a bill draft for downsizing the Montana School Retirement Fund #14 reserves from 35% to 20%. This Retirement Fund, as authorized by Section 20-9-501 MCA, is used for the purpose of financing the employer's contribution to TRS, PERS, unemployment compensation and Social Security.

While many of the bill requests were passed out of committee to Legislative Services for bill drafting, some will be considered during our August meeting such as the mail ballot issue and the school retirement fund reserves. Other requests will be left up to the sponsors to get a legislator to submit a draft request prior to the 2011 Legislative Session.

The SAVA Committee approved two TRS and PERS potential design alternatives, which were forwarded to the TRS and PERS actuaries for a cost analysis. Design alternatives included a Money Purchase Plan and a Revised Defined Benefit Plan with various options being considered, such as a graded vesting schedule, a longer final average salary period from 3 to 5 years, mortality years, interest rates and an extension in retirement years for TRS from 25 to 30 years with the possibility of an increased multiplier after reaching 30 years.

SAVA Interim Committee work must be completed by September 15th in order for both stakeholder and committee bills to be drafted and ready for the 2011 Session.