MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Snowden, Young, Robinson (84th)

House Bill 1657

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN TO ELECT TO PROVIDE CREDITABLE SERVICE FOR ABSENCES FROM EMPLOYMENT DUE TO ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SERVICE AND MARITIME SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE DISABILITY AND RELIEF FUND FOR FIREMEN AND POLICEMEN OF THE CITY WHO RETIRE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CREDITABLE SERVICE SHALL NOT BE PROVIDED UNLESS THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE DISABILITY AND RELIEF FUND CURRENTLY ARE ACTUARIALLY SOUND AND WILL REMAIN ACTUARIALLY SOUND IF THAT CREDITABLE SERVICE IS PROVIDED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  (1)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the governing authorities of the City of Meridian, Mississippi, in their discretion, may elect to provide creditable service for periods in which a member of the General Municipal Employees' Retirement System or the Disability and Relief Fund for Firemen and Policemen of the City of Meridian may have been absent from employment for active duty United States military service and maritime service, not to exceed four (4) years, to persons who are entitled to receive benefits under any provision of Section 21-29-1 et seq. or Section 21-29-101 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, by virtue of service as an employee of the City of Meridian under the General Municipal Employees' Retirement System or as a member of, or through a member of, the fire or police department, or both, of the City of Meridian, and who retire from service on or after the effective date of this act.  In no case shall a member receive creditable service under this section if the member received a dishonorable discharge from the United States military or maritime service.

     (2)  Creditable service for active duty military service and maritime service shall not be provided under this section unless:          (a)  The General Municipal Employees' Retirement System and the Disability and Relief Fund for Firemen and Policemen of the City of Meridian are actuarially sound, as shown by the most recent actuarial study required by Section 21-29-119, Mississippi Code of 1972; and

          (b)  The retirement system and the disability and relief fund will remain actuarially sound if creditable service for active military duty service and maritime service is provided under this section, as shown by a certified statement from the actuarial firm that prepared the most recent actuarial study.

     (3)  The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System shall provide creditable service for active duty military service and maritime service to the persons authorized and entitled to receive that creditable service, after each of the following conditions have been met:

          (a)  The governing authorities of the City of Meridian must adopt a resolution to have creditable service for active duty military service and maritime service as provided under this section and transmit the resolution to the board of trustees; and

          (b)  The board of trustees must receive the resolution from the governing authorities and receive the most recent actuarial study of the retirement system and the disability and relief fund and the certified statement from the actuarial firm that the retirement system and the disability and relief fund will remain actuarially sound if that creditable service is provided.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.