S_FIN_2017A 01/24/2017 Committee Summary

02:04 PM -- SB17-013



The committee was called to order. Senator Jones, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-013, which was recommended by the Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Reform Commission and allows the board of directors of the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) to develop, maintain, and amend a multi-employer deferred compensation plan document.



02:05 PM -- Kevin Lindhal, representing the FPPA, testified in support of the bill.

02:07 PM -- SB17-020



Senator Cooke, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-020, which was recommended by the Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension Reform Commission. The bill establishes a uniform standard for approving modifications to the statewide defined benefits plan administered by the FPPA. Employers who participate in plans administered by FPPA, and who wish to modify their status in the plan, must conduct an election and obtain the approval of 65 percent of those employees who vote in that election. Under current law, some employers need to obtain approval of 65 percent of all their employees. This bill creates a uniformly lower standard for approving plan modifications.



02:08 PM -- Kevin Lindahl, representing FPPA, testified in support of the bill. Committee discussion ensued on the existing 65 percent voting threshold required to modify the status of a plan administered by FPPA.

02:11 PM -- SB17-046



Senator Tate, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-046, which was recommended by the Statutory Revision Committee. The bill codifies current practice with respect to the treatment of warrants and checks drawn on state funds that were not promptly presented for payment. It requires that the amounts held to pay warrants and checks be transferred to the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund if unpaid six months from the date of issuance. The bill includes exemptions for warrants drawn on federal funds and the Wildlife Cash Fund. Warrants and checks representing money received by the federal government are required to be processed in accordance with federal guidelines. Warrants and checks drawn on the Wildlife Cash Fund, except those refunding a license fee submitted as part of an unsuccessful limited license application, are repaid to that fund under both current law and the bill. The bill also eliminates the requirement that the Department of the Treasury and the Office of the State Controller annually post lists in their offices of unpaid warrants and checks drawn and issued during the previous fiscal year.



02:13 PM -- Jack Wylie, Legislative Liaison, Department of Personnel and Administration, testified in support of the bill.

02:15 PM -- SB17-075



Senator Crowder, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-075, which allows an income tax deduction for all annual military retirement benefits received by individuals of all ages beginning in tax year 2017. Other, non-military income is still subject to the existing deduction limits. Senator Crowder responded to a committee question regarding a similar bill that was introduced, but not passed, in 2016.



02:18 PM -- Frank McGirdy, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill.



02:22 PM -- John Toth, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill.



02:28 PM -- Michelle Kalkowski, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill. Committee discussion ensued on the fiscal impact of the bill.



02:42 PM -- Phil Ross, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



02:47 PM -- Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, testified on the bill.



02:49 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill.



02:52 PM -- Diane Robinson, representing the Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

03:05 PM



The committee adjourned.