Bill(s)

2015 AB 269 and 2015 SB 213 provides that technical colleges, school districts, cities, villages, towns and counties may only provide post-retirement healthcare benefits if they comply with the following:

  • The cost of the benefit must be fully funded in a segregated account for employees hired on or after January 1, 2016.
  • The required funding must be determined by an actuarial study, or other method that complies with generally accepted accounting principles, conducted at least every four years.
  • If a local government dissolves a segregated account established for the purpose of providing such healthcare benefits, the local government must provide for the equitable distribution of the proceeds among the beneficiaries.

The proposed legislation only applies to local governments and does not apply to the funding of the state’s other post-employment benefits. The state’s other post-employment benefits are currently funded according to the standards identified in the bill.

Sponsors

2015 AB 269 was introduced by Rep. Thiesfeldt and referred to the Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs. 2015 SB 213 was introduced by Sen. Vukmir and referred to the Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government.

Status

Public hearings were held on both bills in September.

Other

Please contact Tarna Hunter, ETF’s Government Relations Director, if you have any questions.