COLA Bill Awaits Final Passage on Senate Floor, Additional Measures Advance
May 8, 2026
Below is a recap of retirement-related bill activity from this week at the Capitol, along with what we’re monitoring next week.
- HB 23 by Rep. Bacala was discharged from the Senate Finance Committee and awaits final passage on the Senate Floor. This bill authorizes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to eligible retirees and beneficiaries. (Board position: Support)
🔗Learn about COLA eligibility here. - HB 8 by Rep. Bacala was signed by the Governor. This bill extends legislative staff authorization to attend executive session meetings of any state or statewide retirement system board or committee from one year to four years. (Board position: Neutral)
- HB 32 by Rep. Egan was also signed by the Governor. It provides for technical changes in LASERS statutes. (Board position: Support)
- HB 45 by Rep. Bacala passed in Senate Retirement, and was later recommitted to Senate Finance. This bill requires certain employees eligible for the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) nonhazardous duty plan to transfer from LASERS to MPERS. (Board position: Neutral)
- HB 1134 by Rep. Braud was reported favorably as amended in Senate Retirement. The bill creates a Back-Deferred Retirement Option Program for certain judges in LASERS. (Board position: Oppose)
- SB 19 by Sen. Price was reported favorably in House Transportation and later passed on the House Floor. It changes the name and design of the ‘State Employee Retired’ license plate. (Board position: Neutral)
Next Week
- HB 4 by Rep. McMakin is scheduled to be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, May 11 at 9:00 a.m. This bill calls for a constitutional convention to convene in December 2026. (Board position: Oppose)
- HB 27 by Rep. McMakin is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. 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 (UAL). (Board position: Neutral)
