COLA Bill Receives Final Passage, Additional Measures Advance
May 15, 2026
Below is a recap of retirement-related bill activity from this week at the Capitol.
- HB 23 by Rep. Bacala received final passage and awaits the Governor’s signature. This bill authorizes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to eligible retirees and beneficiaries. (Board position: Support)
🔗Learn about COLA eligibility here.
- HB 4 by Rep. McMakin was amended in House Appropriations and later heavily amended before passing the House Floor. This bill calls for a constitutional convention to convene in April 2028 (as amended). (Board position: Oppose)
- HB 27 by Rep. McMakin was reported favorably in Senate Finance. This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters at the November 3, 2026, election, would remove the requirement that a state retirement system receiving monies apply those monies to its oldest outstanding unfunded accrued liability.
(Board position: Neutral)
Additional LASERS-related bills passed the House Floor this week:
- SB 16 by Sen. Price – Provides for educational requirements of certain retirement system boards. (Board position: Neutral)
- SB 21 by Sen. Price – Terminates amortization hurdles once the original base is liquidated. (Board position: Support)
- SB 416 by Sen. Price – Provides for the reemployment of retirees to fill critical shortage positions within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. (Board position: Neutral)
- SB 455 by Sen. Talbot – Allows certain court employees to join PERS, including an irrevocable option for current members to transfer. (Board position: Neutral)
- SB 456 by Sen. Talbot – Relative to retired judges who return to work on assignment. (Board position: Neutral)
- SB 477 by Sen. Price – Establishes an exception to existing law to allow the chair of the Gaming Control Board to be eligible for membership in LASERS. (Board position: Neutral)
