MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Perry, McCoy

House Concurrent Resolution 111

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1664, REGULAR SESSION OF 1998, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW AN INACTIVE VESTED MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO PURCHASE OUT-OF-STATE AND PROFESSIONAL LEAVE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-113, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN INACTIVE MEMBER MUST FILE AN APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER WITH NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP CREDIT OR A RETIREE RETURNING TO COVERED EMPLOYMENT MUST REMAIN AN ACTIVE MEMBER FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER REENTRY BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO FILE FOR NONDUTY RELATED DISABILITY BENEFITS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY A MEMBER'S ANNUITY TO BE THE VALUE OF THE ANNUITY SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR THE MEMBER; TO DISCONTINUE ADVANCING FUNDS TO MEMBERS UNDER OPTION 4-C BY REMOVING THE OPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR A METHOD OF MAKING PAYMENTS TO A MEMBER OR BENEFICIARY DETERMINED LEGALLY INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF APPLYING FOR, MANAGING OR DIRECTING THE MANAGEMENT OF BENEFITS WHEN THE MEMBER OR BENEFICIARY HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY MADE LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR A CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN OR COMPLETED A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE REPAYMENT OF A REFUND UPON REEMPLOYMENT IN A COVERED POSITION; TO CODIFY SECTION 25-11-118, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ACCEPT ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPAYING A REFUND OR PURCHASING OPTIONAL SERVICE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECORD FOR APPEAL PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE THAT A FINDING OF TOTAL DISABILITY BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION WILL CREATE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF DISABILITY; TO PROVIDE THAT CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE IS NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE PRESUMPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DELINQUENT EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST WILL BE THE OBLIGATION OF THE EMPLOYEE, AND DELINQUENT EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST WILL BE THE OBLIGATION OF THE EMPLOYER; TO AUTHORIZE THE EMPLOYER, IN ITS DISCRETION, TO PAY THE ACCRUED INTEREST ON DELINQUENT EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO BENEFITS UPON REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED PERSONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESTRUCTURING THE PROVISIONS IN A MORE READABLE SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 25-11-127 SHALL NOT APPLY TO A RETIREE WHO CONTINUES IN AN ELECTED OFFICE IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY OR HAS BEEN ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY, PROVIDED THERE IS FILED A WAIVER OF ALL SALARY OR COMPENSATION FOR THE POSITION; TO ESTABLISH AN ASSESSMENT TO THE EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SYSTEM OF THE REEMPLOYMENT OF A RETIREE; TO ESTABLISH THE RESPONSIBILITY AS THAT OF THE EMPLOYER AND THE RETIREE FOR THE CARRYING OUT OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 25-11-127; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-137, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COST TO TRANSFER ELIGIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICE CREDIT FROM ONE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ANOTHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL BE THE ACTUARIAL COST FOR SUCH SERVICE CREDIT; TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY ESTABLISHED SERVICE COVERED BY A RETIREMENT SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER MAY TRANSFER SUCH CREDIT AFTER HAVING COMPLETED THE MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FOR MONTHLY BENEFITS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-401, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "TEACHING OR ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY" BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SYSTEM IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-409, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE FROM NINETY TO THIRTY DAYS THE PERIOD FOR ENROLLMENT IN THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS SET FORTH AS OF THE DATE OF DEATH; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE MEMBER AND BENEFICIARY DIE BEFORE HAVING RECEIVED IN BENEFITS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE TOTAL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCRUED INTEREST OF THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, THE BALANCE WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OR BY STATUTORY SUCCESSION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE ANNUITY AS THE ANNUITY SAVINGS ACCOUNT UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AUTHORIZE A RETIREE WHO RETIRED BEFORE OR AFTER JULY 1, 1998, AND WHOSE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY PREDECEASED OR PREDECEASES HIM OR WHOSE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY IS OR WAS THE SPOUSE AND THE MARRIAGE IS OR WAS DISSOLVED TO ELECT TO HAVE BENEFITS RECALCULATED TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM BENEFITS; TO AUTHORIZE A RETIREE WHO RETIRED BEFORE OR AFTER JULY 1, 1998, WHO MARRIED, MARRIES OR REMARRIES, AND THE SPOUSE IS NOT THE SAME SPOUSE MARRIED TO THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, TO ELECT TO RECEIVE A REDUCED RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UNDER OPTION 2 OR OPTION 4-A; TO REMOVE THE COST TO THE RETIREE FOR THE RIGHT TO ELECT TO HAVE BENEFITS RECALCULATED TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM BENEFITS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PAYMENTS UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM MAY BE MADE FOR A PERIOD IN EXCESS OF THAT ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MEMBER AND HIS BENEFICIARY BOTH DIE BEFORE HAVING RECEIVED IN MONTHLY BENEFITS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCRUED INTEREST OF THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, THE BALANCE WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE ESTATE OF THE SURVIVOR OF THE RETIRANT AND HIS BENEFICIARY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE FOR ANY RETIRED MEMBER WHO RETIRED UNDER OPTION 2(5) OR OPTION 4-A(5) WHO IS STILL RECEIVING BENEFITS ON JULY 1, 1998, WILL BE INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED UNDER OPTION 2 OR OPTION 4-A WITHOUT THE REDUCTION FOR OPTION 5; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A MEMBER OF THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND TO ELECT TO HAVE AN ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTION OF ACCUMULATED CONTRIBUTIONS PAID DIRECTLY TO AN ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT; TO ALLOW REPAYMENT OF A REFUND UPON THE REEMPLOYMENT OF A MEMBER IN A POSITION COVERED BY THE SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REPAYMENT SHALL BE IN INCREMENTS OF NOT LESS THAN ONE-FOURTH-YEAR OF CREDITABLE SERVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REPURCHASED SERVICE CREDIT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO BE USED IN THE CALCULATION OF BENEFITS UNTIL THE MEMBER HAS COMPLETED FIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP AFTER REENTERING THE SYSTEM; TO CODIFY SECTION 25-13-22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ACCEPT AN ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTION OR A DIRECT TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ANOTHER QUALIFIED PLAN IN PAYMENT OF ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COST TO PURCHASE OPTIONAL SERVICE CREDIT OR REINSTATE PREVIOUSLY WITHDRAWN SERVICE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BENEFITS WILL CEASE FOR A HIGHWAY PATROL RETIREE WHO BECOMES REEMPLOYED IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITION UNDER EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, AND THAT PERSON MUST REENTER MEMBERSHIP IN THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY SECTION 21-29-323, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTHLY BENEFITS PAYABLE TO A SPOUSE IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF A MEMBER OF A CITY FIREMEN'S AND POLICEMAN'S DISABILITY AND RELIEF FUND BEFORE RETIREMENT OR OF A RETIREE AFTER RETIREMENT SHALL BE DIVIDED AND PAID TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF THE DECEASED MEMBER OR RETIREE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 10% FOR ONE DEPENDENT CHILD, 20% FOR TWO DEPENDENT CHILDREN OR 30% FOR THREE OR MORE DEPENDENT CHILDREN; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THERE ARE MORE THAN THREE DEPENDENT CHILDREN, WHEN THE OLDEST CHILD CEASES TO QUALIFY THE BENEFITS WILL BE REDISTRIBUTED TO THE REMAINING DEPENDENT CHILDREN; TO PROVIDE THAT BENEFITS MAY BE PAID TO THE SURVIVING PARENT OR LAWFUL CUSTODIAN OF SUCH CHILDREN FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES."  

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Joint Rules of the House and the Senate, including all the deadlines and other provisions imposed by Joint Rule No. 40, are suspended for the purpose of permitting the further consideration and passage of House Bill 1664, Regular Session of 1998, entitled "AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW AN INACTIVE VESTED MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO PURCHASE OUT-OF-STATE AND PROFESSIONAL LEAVE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-113, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN INACTIVE MEMBER MUST FILE AN APPLICATION FOR DISABILITY RETIREMENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER WITH NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP CREDIT OR A RETIREE RETURNING TO COVERED EMPLOYMENT MUST REMAIN AN ACTIVE MEMBER FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER REENTRY BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO FILE FOR NONDUTY RELATED DISABILITY BENEFITS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY A MEMBER'S ANNUITY TO BE THE VALUE OF THE ANNUITY SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR THE MEMBER; TO DISCONTINUE ADVANCING FUNDS TO MEMBERS UNDER OPTION 4-C BY REMOVING THE OPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR A METHOD OF MAKING PAYMENTS TO A MEMBER OR BENEFICIARY DETERMINED LEGALLY INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF APPLYING FOR, MANAGING OR DIRECTING THE MANAGEMENT OF BENEFITS WHEN THE MEMBER OR BENEFICIARY HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY MADE LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR A CONSERVATOR, GUARDIAN OR COMPLETED A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE REPAYMENT OF A REFUND UPON REEMPLOYMENT IN A COVERED POSITION; TO CODIFY SECTION 25-11-118, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ACCEPT ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPAYING A REFUND OR PURCHASING OPTIONAL SERVICE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECORD FOR APPEAL PURPOSES; TO PROVIDE THAT A FINDING OF TOTAL DISABILITY BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION WILL CREATE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF DISABILITY; TO PROVIDE THAT CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE IS NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE PRESUMPTION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DELINQUENT EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST WILL BE THE OBLIGATION OF THE EMPLOYEE, AND DELINQUENT EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST WILL BE THE OBLIGATION OF THE EMPLOYER; TO AUTHORIZE THE EMPLOYER, IN ITS DISCRETION, TO PAY THE ACCRUED INTEREST ON DELINQUENT EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO BENEFITS UPON REEMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED PERSONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESTRUCTURING THE PROVISIONS IN A MORE READABLE SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 25-11-127 SHALL NOT APPLY TO A RETIREE WHO CONTINUES IN AN ELECTED OFFICE IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY OR HAS BEEN ELECTED TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN A MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY, PROVIDED THERE IS FILED A WAIVER OF ALL SALARY OR COMPENSATION FOR THE POSITION; TO ESTABLISH AN ASSESSMENT TO THE EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE SYSTEM OF THE REEMPLOYMENT OF A RETIREE; TO ESTABLISH THE RESPONSIBILITY AS THAT OF THE EMPLOYER AND THE RETIREE FOR THE CARRYING OUT OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 25-11-127; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-137, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COST TO TRANSFER ELIGIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICE CREDIT FROM ONE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ANOTHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL BE THE ACTUARIAL COST FOR SUCH SERVICE CREDIT; TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY ESTABLISHED SERVICE COVERED BY A RETIREMENT SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER MAY TRANSFER SUCH CREDIT AFTER HAVING COMPLETED THE MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FOR MONTHLY BENEFITS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-401, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "TEACHING OR ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY" BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SYSTEM IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-409, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE FROM NINETY TO THIRTY DAYS THE PERIOD FOR ENROLLMENT IN THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS SET FORTH AS OF THE DATE OF DEATH; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE MEMBER AND BENEFICIARY DIE BEFORE HAVING RECEIVED IN BENEFITS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE TOTAL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCRUED INTEREST OF THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, THE BALANCE WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OR BY STATUTORY SUCCESSION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE ANNUITY AS THE ANNUITY SAVINGS ACCOUNT UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AUTHORIZE A RETIREE WHO RETIRED BEFORE OR AFTER JULY 1, 1998, AND WHOSE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY PREDECEASED OR PREDECEASES HIM OR WHOSE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY IS OR WAS THE SPOUSE AND THE MARRIAGE IS OR WAS DISSOLVED TO ELECT TO HAVE BENEFITS RECALCULATED TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM BENEFITS; TO AUTHORIZE A RETIREE WHO RETIRED BEFORE OR AFTER JULY 1, 1998, WHO MARRIED, MARRIES OR REMARRIES, AND THE SPOUSE IS NOT THE SAME SPOUSE MARRIED TO THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, TO ELECT TO RECEIVE A REDUCED RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UNDER OPTION 2 OR OPTION 4-A; TO REMOVE THE COST TO THE RETIREE FOR THE RIGHT TO ELECT TO HAVE BENEFITS RECALCULATED TO RECEIVE THE MAXIMUM BENEFITS TO PROVIDE THAT NO PAYMENTS UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM MAY BE MADE FOR A PERIOD IN EXCESS OF THAT ALLOWED BY FEDERAL LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MEMBER AND HIS BENEFICIARY BOTH DIE BEFORE HAVING RECEIVED IN MONTHLY BENEFITS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCRUED INTEREST OF THE MEMBER AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, THE BALANCE WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE ESTATE OF THE SURVIVOR OF THE RETIRANT AND HIS BENEFICIARY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE FOR ANY RETIRED MEMBER WHO RETIRED UNDER OPTION 2(5) OR OPTION 4-A(5) WHO IS STILL RECEIVING BENEFITS ON JULY 1, 1998, WILL BE INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED UNDER OPTION 2 OR OPTION 4-A WITHOUT THE REDUCTION FOR OPTION 5; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A MEMBER OF THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND TO ELECT TO HAVE AN ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTION OF ACCUMULATED CONTRIBUTIONS PAID DIRECTLY TO AN ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT; TO ALLOW REPAYMENT OF A REFUND UPON THE REEMPLOYMENT OF A MEMBER IN A POSITION COVERED BY THE SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REPAYMENT SHALL BE IN INCREMENTS OF NOT LESS THAN ONE-FOURTH-YEAR OF CREDITABLE SERVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REPURCHASED SERVICE CREDIT SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO BE USED IN THE CALCULATION OF BENEFITS UNTIL THE MEMBER HAS COMPLETED FIVE YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP AFTER REENTERING THE SYSTEM; TO CODIFY SECTION 25-13-22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ACCEPT AN ELIGIBLE ROLL OVER DISTRIBUTION OR A DIRECT TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ANOTHER QUALIFIED PLAN IN PAYMENT OF ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COST TO PURCHASE OPTIONAL SERVICE CREDIT OR REINSTATE PREVIOUSLY WITHDRAWN SERVICE CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BENEFITS WILL CEASE FOR A HIGHWAY PATROL RETIREE WHO BECOMES REEMPLOYED IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITION UNDER EITHER THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, AND THAT PERSON MUST REENTER MEMBERSHIP IN THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY SECTION 21-29-323, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTHLY BENEFITS PAYABLE TO A SPOUSE IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF A MEMBER OF A CITY FIREMEN'S AND POLICEMAN'S DISABILITY AND RELIEF FUND BEFORE RETIREMENT OR OF A RETIREE AFTER RETIREMENT SHALL BE DIVIDED AND PAID TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF THE DECEASED MEMBER OR RETIREE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 10% FOR ONE DEPENDENT CHILD, 20% FOR TWO DEPENDENT CHILDREN OR 30% FOR THREE OR MORE DEPENDENT CHILDREN; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THERE ARE MORE THAN THREE DEPENDENT CHILDREN, WHEN THE OLDEST CHILD CEASES TO QUALIFY THE BENEFITS WILL BE REDISTRIBUTED TO THE REMAINING DEPENDENT CHILDREN; TO PROVIDE THAT BENEFITS MAY BE PAID TO THE SURVIVING PARENT OR LAWFUL CUSTODIAN OF SUCH CHILDREN FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CHILDREN WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF APPOINTMENT OF A GUARDIAN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES."