COLA Bill (HB 23) Advances on House Floor, Heads to Senate

April 1, 2026

Two LASERS-supported bills passed on the House Floor on Wednesday, April 1, and now head to the Senate Retirement Committee.

HB 23 by Rep. Bacala – Authorizes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to eligible retirees and beneficiaries. Learn about COLA eligibility here.
HB 32 by Rep. Egan – Provides for technical changes in LASERS statutes.

Other Retirement Bill Activity This Week

HB 27 by Rep. McMakin was reported favorably in House Appropriations, then recommitted to House Civil Law. This is a constitutional amendment removing the requirement to apply monies to the oldest outstanding UAL. (Board position: Neutral)
HB 830 by Rep. Wright was reported favorably as amended in House Commerce, then recommitted to House Appropriations. It provides for the regulation of proxy advisors. (Board position: Oppose)
HB 4 by Rep. McMakin was amended and reported favorably as amended in House & Governmental Affairs, then recommitted to House Appropriations. This bill calls for a constitutional convention to convene in December 2026. (Board position: Oppose)

House Retirement will meet on Thursday, April, at 9:00 a.m. Three bills impacting LASERS are on the agenda.

HB 43 by Rep. Bagley – Allows rank-and-file members to retire with 35 years of service regardless of age or first date of employment. (Board position: Support)
HB 45 by Rep. Bacala – Requires certain employees who qualify for the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) nonhazardous duty plan to transfer from LASERS to MPERS. (Board position: Not yet taken)
HB 1134 by Rep. Braud – Creates a Back-Deferred Retirement Option Program for certain judges in LASERS. (Board position: Not yet taken)

Please note that meeting dates and agendas are subject to change.

Four bills were added to our tracking list. The Board will take a position on these measures at its April meeting.

HB 1134 by Rep. Braud – Creates a Back-Deferred Retirement Option Program for certain judges in LASERS.
SB 416 by Sen. Talbot – Allows certain court employees to join the Parochial Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), including an irrevocable option for current members to join PERS.
SB 456 by Sen. Talbot – Relative to retired judges who return to work on assignment.
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.