Senate Bill 2489

AN ACT TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FUNDING AND FULL PAYMENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF RETIREMENT UNDER THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS; TO ESTABLISH THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE; TO REQUIRE THE STUDY COMMITTEE TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a study committee for the purpose of studying the funding and full payment of health insurance for all certified law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders who have attained the age of retirement under the rules and regulations of the Public Employees Retirement System and for any other related purpose.

(2) The committee shall be comprised of the following nine (9) members:

(a) The President, or designee, of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer's Association;

(b) The President, or designee, of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association;

(d) The President, or designee, of the Mississippi Fire Chief's Association;

(e) The President, or designee, of the Mississippi Firefighter's Association;

(f) One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(g) One member of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(h) One member who is employed by the Department of Finance and Administration to be appointed by the Governor; and

(i) One member who currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System, appointed by the chairman of the board.

(3) Appointments to the study committee shall be made within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act. At the first meeting, the committee shall elect from among its membership a chairman, a vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, and shall adopt rules for transacting business and keeping records.

(4) A majority of the members of the study committee shall constitute a quorum. The study committee shall develop and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before December 1, 2024. In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, and in the election of a chairman, vice chairman and any other officers determined to be necessary, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be required.

(5) The PEER Committee shall provide the staff and other support necessary for the study committee to perform its duties.

(6) To effectuate the purposes of this act, any department, division, board, bureau, committee, institution or agency of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of the chairman of the study committee, provide the facilities, assistance, information and data needed to enable the study committee to carry out its duties.

(7) Upon the presentation of its report the study committee shall be dissolved.

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