Retirement Bills Continue Moving Through Legislature

May 22, 2026

Below is a recap of retirement-related bill activity from this week at the Capitol.

HB 23 by Rep. Bacala is on the Governor’s desk awaiting action. This bill authorizes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to eligible retirees and beneficiaries. (Board position: Support) 🔗Learn about COLA eligibility here.

📌 LASERS does not know the timeline for action on HB 23 but will keep members informed of any updates.

HB 312 by Rep. McFarland received a favorable report from Senate Finance with an amendment. The bill includes additional funding for LASERS to help reduce the System’s unfunded accrued liability (UAL). The amendment did not affect the LASERS allocation but removed the reamortization requirement. (Board position: Support)

HB 1134 by Rep. Braud was amended and passed the Senate Floor and is now pending concurrence. The bill creates a Back-Deferred Retirement Option Program for certain judges in LASERS. (Board position: Oppose)

The following bills are awaiting final passage on the Senate Floor:

HB 27 by Rep. McMakin proposes a constitutional amendment, subject to voter approval, that would remove the requirement for certain funds to be applied to the oldest outstanding UAL. (Board position: Neutral)
HB 45 by Rep. Bacala would require certain employees eligible for the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) nonhazardous duty plan to transfer from LASERS to MPERS. (Board position: Neutral)

SB 16 by Sen. Price is now Act 226 – Provides for educational requirements of certain retirement system boards. (Board position: Neutral)
SB 19 by Sen. Price is now Act 198 – Changes the name and design of the ‘State Employee Retired’ license plate. (Board position: Neutral)
SB 21 by Sen. Price is now Act 230 – Terminates amortization hurdles once the original base is liquidated. (Board position: Support)
SB 416 by Sen. Price is now Act 263 – 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 is now Act 266 – Allows certain court employees to join PERS, including an irrevocable option for current members to transfer. (Board position: Neutral)
SB 456 by Sen. Talbot is now Act 267 – Relative to retired judges who return to work on assignment. (Board position: Neutral)
SB 477 by Sen. Price is now Act 269 – 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)