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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 111--S.F.No. 489

An act

relating to retirement; modifying State Board of Investment provisions; MSRS administrative provisions; PERA administrative provisions; benefit accrual rate specification; revisions and repeals of former local police and paid firefighter relief association laws; volunteer firefighter retirement changes; one person and small group retirement changes; miscellaneous provisions; state patrol retirement plan financial solvency measures; PERA plans salary definitions; public employees police and fire retirement plan financial solvency measures; Teachers Retirement Association early retirement reduction factors; first class city teacher retirement increases and financial solvency measures; judges retirement plan financial solvency measures; requiring reports; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 3.85, subdivision 10; 3A.011; 3A.03, subdivision 3; 3A.07; 3A.115; 3A.13; 3A.15; 6.495, subdivisions 1, 3; 6.67; 11A.24, subdivision 1; 13D.01, subdivision 1; 69.011, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 69.021, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7a, 8, 9, 10, 11; 69.031, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 69.041; 69.051, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4; 69.33; 69.77, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 69.771, subdivision 1; 69.774, subdivision 1; 69.80; 275.70, subdivision 5; 297I.10, subdivision 1; 345.381; 352.01, subdivisions 2a, 17b; 352.029, subdivisions 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 5; 352.03, subdivisions 4, 8; 352.045, by adding subdivisions; 352.113, subdivisions 4, 6, 8, by adding subdivisions; 352.115, subdivision 3; 352.22, subdivision 3; 352.87, subdivision 3; 352.93, subdivision 2; 352.95, subdivision 1; 352.955, subdivisions 1, 3; 352B.011, subdivisions 4, 13; 352B.02, subdivisions 1a, 1c; 352B.08, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a; 352B.10, subdivisions 1, 5, by adding a subdivision; 352B.11, subdivisions 1, 2b; 352D.04, subdivision 2; 353.01, subdivisions 2a, 2b, 6, 10, 16, 17a, 29, 41, 47; 353.03, subdivision 3; 353.031, subdivision 4; 353.27, subdivision 7; 353.29, subdivision 3; 353.34, subdivisions 1, 2; 353.35, subdivision 1; 353.50, subdivisions 3, 6; 353.64, subdivision 1a; 353.65, subdivisions 2, 3; 353.651, subdivisions 3, 4; 353.656, subdivisions 1, 1a, 3a; 353.657, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3, 3a; 353.659; 353.665, subdivisions 1, 5, 8, by adding a subdivision; 353.71, subdivision 1; 353E.001, subdivision 1; 353E.04, subdivision 3; 353E.06, subdivision 1; 353F.02, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 353F.025, subdivisions 1, 2; 353F.03; 353F.04; 353F.05; 353F.051, subdivision 1; 353F.052; 353F.06; 353F.07; 353F.08; 353G.05, subdivision 2; 354.07, subdivision 1; 354.44, subdivision 6; 354A.011, subdivision 21; 354A.021, subdivision 2; 354A.12, subdivisions 1, 2a, 3a, 3c, 7, by adding subdivisions; 354A.27, subdivision 7, by adding a subdivision; 354A.31, subdivisions 3, 4, 4a, 7; 354A.35, subdivision 2; 356.20, subdivisions 2, 4; 356.214, subdivision 1; 356.215, subdivisions 1, 8, 18; 356.216; 356.219, subdivisions 1, 2, 8; 356.30, subdivisions 1, 3; 356.315, subdivision 9, by adding a subdivision; 356.401, subdivision 3; 356.406, subdivision 1; 356.415, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1e, 2, by adding a subdivision; 356.47, subdivision 1; 356.48, subdivision 1; 356.635, subdivision 1; 356.91; 356A.01, subdivision 19; 356A.06, subdivision 4; 356A.07, subdivision 2; 423A.02, subdivisions 1, 1b, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5; 424A.001, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 424A.01, subdivision 6; 424A.015, subdivisions 1, 4; 424A.016, subdivision 6; 424A.02, subdivisions 7, 9; 424A.10, subdivisions 1, 2; 475.52, subdivision 6; 490.121, subdivisions 21f, 22, by adding subdivisions; 490.123, subdivisions 1a, 1b; 490.124, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 3A; 6; 353F; 354; 356; 490; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 3A.02, subdivision 3; 69.021, subdivision 6; 69.77, subdivision 3; 352.045, subdivisions 3, 4; 352.955, subdivision 2; 352B.11, subdivision 2c; 352C.001; 352C.091, subdivision 1; 352C.10; 353.29, subdivision 6; 353.64, subdivision 3; 353.665, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10; 353.667; 353.668; 353.669; 353.6691; 353A.01; 353A.02; 353A.03; 353A.04; 353A.05; 353A.06; 353A.07; 353A.08; 353A.081; 353A.083; 353A.09; 353A.10; 353B.01; 353B.02; 353B.03; 353B.04; 353B.05; 353B.06; 353B.07; 353B.08; 353B.09; 353B.10; 353B.11; 353B.12; 353B.13; 353B.14; 353F.02, subdivisions 4, 5; 353F.025, subdivision 3; 354A.27, subdivision 6; 356.315, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 8; 423A.01; 423A.02, subdivision 1a; 423A.04; 423A.05; 423A.07; 423A.10; 423A.11; 423A.12; 423A.13; 423A.14; 423A.15; 423A.16; 423A.17; 423A.171; 423A.18; 423A.19; 423A.20; 423A.21; 423A.22; 424A.10, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 11A.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Securities generally.

(a) new text begin Pursuant to an investment policy adopted by the state board, new text end the state board is authorized to purchase, sell, lend, and exchange the securities specified in this section, for funds or accounts specifically made subject to this sectiondeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin . This authoritynew text end deleted text begin includingdeleted text end new text begin includesnew text end puts and call optionsnew text begin ,new text end deleted text begin anddeleted text end future contractsnew text begin , and swap contracts marked to market, if these options and contracts arenew text end traded on a contract market regulated by a governmental agency or by a financial institution regulated by a governmental agency. These securities may be owned directly or through shares in exchange-traded or mutual funds, or as units in commingled trusts, subject to any limitations as specified in this section.

(b) Any agreement to lend securities must be concurrently collateralized with cash or securities with a market value of not less than 100 percent of the market value of the loaned securities at the time of the agreement. Any agreement for put and call options and futures contracts may only be entered into with a fully offsetting amount of cash or securities. Only securities authorized by this section, excluding those under subdivision 6, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), may be accepted as collateral or offsetting securities.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 2

MSRS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3.85, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Standards for pension valuations and cost estimates.

The commission shall adopt standards prescribing specific detailed methods to calculate, evaluate, and display current and proposed law liabilities, costs, and actuarial equivalents of all public employee pension plans in Minnesota. These standards shall be consistent with chapter 356 and be updated annually. new text begin At a minimum, new text end the standards deleted text begin must notdeleted text end new text begin shall new text end contain deleted text begin a valuation requirementdeleted text end new text begin requirements new text end that deleted text begin is inconsistentdeleted text end new text begin comply new text end with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to government pension plans.new text begin The standards may include additional financial, funding, or valuation requirements that are not required under generally accepted accounting principles applicable to government pension plans.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.011, is amended to read:

3A.011 ADMINISTRATION OF deleted text begin PLANdeleted text end new text begin PLANSnew text end .

The executive director and the board of directors of the Minnesota State Retirement System shall administer the deleted text begin legislators retirement plandeleted text end new text begin plans specified new text end in deleted text begin accordancedeleted text end new text begin this chapter consistent new text end with this chapter and deleted text begin chapterdeleted text end new text begin chapters 356 and new text end 356A.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Legislators retirement fund.

(a) The legislators retirement fund, a special retirement fund, is created within the state treasury deleted text begin and must be credited with assets equal to the participation of the legislators retirement plan in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2009, and any investment proceeds on those assetsdeleted text end . new text begin The legislators retirement fund must be credited with any investment proceeds on the assets of the retirement fund.new text end

(b) The payment of annuities under section 3A.115, paragraph (b), is appropriated from the legislators retirement fund.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.07, is amended to read:

3A.07 APPLICATION.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b)new text begin and section 3A.17new text end , this chapter applies to members of the legislature in service after July 1, 1965, who otherwise meet the requirements of this chapter.

(b) Members of the legislature who were elected for the first time after June 30, 1997, or members of the legislature who were elected before July 1, 1997, and who, after July 1, 1998, elect not to be members of the plan established by this chapter are covered by the unclassified employees retirement program governed by chapter 352D.

(c) The post-July 1, 1998, coverage election under paragraph (b) is irrevocable and must be made on a form prescribed by the director. The second chance referendum election under Laws 2002, chapter 392, article 15, also is irrevocable.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.115, is amended to read:

3A.115 RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE APPROPRIATION; POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT.

(a) The amount necessary to fund the retirement allowance granted under this chapter to a former legislator retiring after June 30, 2003, new text begin or to that legislator's survivor, and the retirement allowance granted under section 3A.17 to a former constitutional officer or the survivor of that constitutional officer new text end is appropriated from the general fund to the director to pay pension obligations due to the retiree.

(b) The amount necessary to fund the retirement allowance granted under this chapter to a former legislator retiring before July 1, 2003, must be paid from the legislators retirement fund created under section 3A.03, subdivision 3, until the assets of the fund are exhausted and at that time, the amount necessary to fund the retirement allowances under this paragraph is appropriated from the general fund to the director to pay pension obligations to the retireenew text begin and survivornew text end .

(c) Retirement allowances payable to retired legislators and their survivors under this chapter must be adjusted as provided in sections 3A.02, subdivision 6, and 356.415.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.13, is amended to read:

3A.13 EXEMPTION FROM PROCESS AND TAXATION; HEALTH PREMIUM DEDUCTION.

(a) The provisions of section 356.401 apply to the deleted text begin legislators retirement plandeleted text end new text begin plans specified in this chapternew text end .

(b) The executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System must, at the request of a retired legislator new text begin or constitutional officer new text end who is enrolled in a health insurance plan covering state employees, deduct the person's health insurance premiums from the person's annuity and transfer the amount of the premium to a health insurance carrier covering state employees.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 3A.15, is amended to read:

3A.15 deleted text begin COORDINATED PROGRAMdeleted text end new text begin PROGRAMS new text end OF new text begin THE new text end LEGISLATORS RETIREMENT PLAN.

deleted text begin The coordinated program of the legislators retirement plan is created.deleted text end The provisions of sections 3A.01 to 3A.13 apply to the coordinated deleted text begin programdeleted text end new text begin and basic programs of the legislators retirement plannew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [3A.17] CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) This section specifies the retirement plan applicable to a former constitutional officer who was first elected to a constitutional office after July 1, 1967, and before July 1, 1997. The plan includes the applicable portions of chapters 352C and 356 in effect on the date on which the person terminated active service as a constitutional officer. new text end

new text begin (b) Nothing in this section, this act, or Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 10, section 33, subdivision 2, is intended to increase or reduce the benefits of former constitutional officers or their survivors or to adversely modify their eligibility for benefits in effect as of June 30, 2012. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Benefit adjustments. new text end

new text begin Retirement allowances payable to retired constitutional officers and surviving spouse benefits payable must be adjusted under section 356.415. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.01, subdivision 17b, is amended to read:

Subd. 17b.

Duty disability, physical or psychological.

"Duty disability, physical or psychological," for a correctional employee, means an occupational disability that is the direct result of an injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of normal duties or the performance of less frequent duties either of which deleted text begin aredeleted text end new text begin present inherent dangers new text end specific to the correctional employee.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.03, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Medical adviser.

The deleted text begin state commissioner of health or otherdeleted text end new text begin executive director may contract with an accredited independent organization specializing in disability determinations, new text end licensed deleted text begin physiciandeleted text end new text begin physicians, or physicians new text end on the staff of the commissioner new text begin of health new text end as new text begin designated by new text end the commissioner deleted text begin may designate shalldeleted text end new text begin , tonew text end be the medical adviser deleted text begin ofdeleted text end new text begin to new text end the deleted text begin directordeleted text end new text begin systemnew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.045, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Contribution rate revision; general state employees retirement plan. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the contribution rates stated in plan law, the employee and employer contribution rates for the general state employees retirement plan must be adjusted: new text end

new text begin (1) if the regular actuarial valuation of the plan under section 356.215 indicates that there is a contribution sufficiency greater than one percent of covered payroll and that the sufficiency has existed for at least two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates must be decreased as determined under paragraph (b) to a level such that the sufficiency is no greater than one percent of covered payroll based on the most recent actuarial valuation; or new text end

new text begin (2) if the regular actuarial valuation of the plan under section 356.215 indicates that there is a contribution deficiency equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of covered payroll and that the deficiency has existed for at least two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates must be increased as determined under paragraph (c) to a level such that no deficiency exists based on the most recent actuarial valuation. new text end

new text begin (b) If the actuarially required contribution of the plan is less than the total support provided by the combined employee and employer contribution rates by more than one percent of covered payroll, the plan employee and employer contribution rates must be decreased incrementally over one or more years by no more than 0.25 percent of pay each for employee and employer contribution rates to a level such that there remains a contribution sufficiency of at least one percent of covered payroll. No contribution rate decrease may be made until at least two years have elapsed since any adjustment under this paragraph has been fully implemented. new text end

new text begin (c) If the actuarially required contribution exceeds the total support provided by the employee and employer contribution rates, the employee and employer contribution rates must be increased equally to eliminate that contribution deficiency. If the contribution deficiency is: new text end

new text begin (1) less than two percent, the incremental increase may be up to 0.25 percent each for the employee and employer contribution rates; new text end

new text begin (2) greater than 1.99 percent and less than 4.01 percent, the incremental increase may be up to 0.5 percent each for the employee and employer contribution rates; or new text end

new text begin (3) greater than four percent, the incremental increase may be up to 0.75 percent each for the employee and employer contribution. new text end

new text begin (d) Any recommended adjustment to the contribution rates must be reported to the chair and the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement by January 15 following receipt of the most recent annual actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215. The report must include draft legislation to revise the employee and employer contributions stated in plan law. If the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement does not recommend against the rate change or does not recommend a modification in the rate change, the recommended adjustment becomes effective on the first day of the first full payroll period in the fiscal year following receipt of the most recent actuarial valuation that gave rise to the adjustment. new text end

new text begin (e) A contribution sufficiency of up to one percent of covered payroll must be held in reserve to be used to offset any future actuarially required contributions that are more than the total combined employee and employer contributions. new text end

new text begin (f) Before any reduction in contributions to eliminate a sufficiency in excess of one percent of covered pay may be recommended, the executive director must review any need for a change in actuarial assumptions, as recommended by the actuary retained under section 356.214 in the most recent experience study of the general employees retirement plan prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work promulgated by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement that may result in an increase in the actuarially required contribution and must report to the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement any recommendation by the board to use the sufficiency exceeding one percent of covered payroll to offset the impact of an actuarial assumption change recommended by the actuary retained under section 356.214, subdivision 1, and reviewed by the actuary retained by the commission under section 356.214, subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin (g) No contribution sufficiency in excess of one percent of covered pay may be proposed to be used to increase benefits, and no benefit increase may be proposed that would initiate an automatic adjustment to increase contributions under this subdivision. Any proposed benefit improvement must include a recommendation, prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214, subdivision 1, and reviewed by the actuary retained by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement as provided under section 356.214, subdivision 4, on how the benefit modification will be funded. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.045, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Contribution rate revision; correctional state employees retirement plan and State Patrol retirement plan. new text end

new text begin (a) Subdivision 3a applies to the correctional state employees retirement plan under this chapter and to the State Patrol retirement plan established under chapter 352B, except as stated in this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) Any limitations on the amount of contribution rate changes stated in subdivision 3a apply only to the amount of the employee contribution revision. The employer contribution for the correctional state employees retirement plan or the State Patrol retirement plan, whichever is applicable, must be adjusted so that the employer contribution is equal to 60 percent of the sum of employee plus employer contributions. new text end

new text begin (c) For the State Patrol retirement plan, a contribution sufficiency of up to two percent of covered payroll, rather than one percent, may be held in reserves without taking action to reduce employee and employer contributions. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.113, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical or psychological examinations; authorization for payment of benefit.

(a) new text begin Any physician, psychologist, chiropractor, or physician assistant providing any service specified in this section must be licensed.new text end

new text begin (b) new text end An applicant shall provide deleted text begin medical, chiropractic, or psychologicaldeleted text end new text begin a detailed report signed by a physician, and at least one additional report signed by a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or physician assistant with new text end evidence to support an application for total and permanent disability.

deleted text begin (b) The director shall have the employee examined by at least one additional licensed chiropractor, physician, or psychologist designated by the medical adviser.deleted text end The deleted text begin chiropractors, physicians, or psychologists shall make writtendeleted text end reports deleted text begin to the director concerning the employee's disability includingdeleted text end new text begin must include an new text end expert deleted text begin opinions as todeleted text end new text begin opinion regarding new text end whether the employee is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 352.01, subdivision 17new text begin , and that the disability arose before the employee was placed on any paid or unpaid leave of absence or terminated public servicenew text end .

new text begin (c) If there is medical evidence that supports the expectation that at some point the person applying for the disability benefit will no longer be disabled, the decision granting the disability benefit may provide for a termination date upon which the total and permanent disability can be expected to no longer exist. When a termination date is part of the decision granting benefits, prior to the benefit termination the executive director shall review any evidence provided by the disabled employee to show that the disabling condition for which benefits were initially granted continues. If the benefits cease, the disabled employee may follow the appeal procedures described in section 356.96 or may reapply for disability benefits using the process described in this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (d) Any claim to disability must be supported by a report from the employer indicating that there is no available work that the employee can perform with the disabling condition and that all reasonable accommodations have been considered. Upon request of the executive director, an employer shall provide evidence of the steps the employer has taken to attempt to provide reasonable accommodations and continued employment to the claimant. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The director shall also obtain written certification from the employer stating whether the employment has ceased or whether the employee is on sick leave of absence because of a disability that will prevent further service to the employer and deleted text begin as a consequencedeleted text end new text begin that new text end the employee is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The medical adviser shall consider the reports of the physicians, new text begin physician assistants, new text end psychologists, and chiropractors and any other evidence supplied by the employee or other interested parties. If the medical adviser finds the employee totally and permanently disabled, the adviser shall make appropriate recommendation to the director in writing together with the date from which the employee has been totally disabled. The director shall then determine if the disability occurred within 18 months of filing the application, while still in the employment of the state, and the propriety of authorizing payment of a disability benefit as provided in this section.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end A terminated employee may apply for a disability benefit within 18 months of termination as long as the disability occurred while in the employment of the state. The fact that an employee is placed on leave of absence without compensation because of disability does not bar that employee from receiving a disability benefit.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end Unless the payment of a disability benefit has terminated because the employee is no longer totally disabled, or because the employee has reached normal retirement age as provided in this section, the disability benefit must cease with the last payment received by the disabled employee or which had accrued during the lifetime of the employee unless there is a spouse surviving. In that event, the surviving spouse is entitled to the disability benefit for the calendar month in which the disabled employee died.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.113, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Independent medical examination or vocational rehabilitation counseling. new text end

new text begin Any individual applying for or receiving disability benefits shall submit to an independent medical examination or an assessment by a certified rehabilitation counselor if requested by the executive director or designee. The examination must be paid for by the system. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.113, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Regular medical or psychological examinations.

At least once each year during the first five years following the allowance of a disability benefit to any employee, and at least once in every three-year period thereafter, the director may require any disabled employee to deleted text begin undergo adeleted text end new text begin provide new text end medical, chiropractic, or psychological deleted text begin examinationdeleted text end new text begin evidence to support the continuation of the total and permanent disabilitynew text end . The deleted text begin examination must be made at the place of residence of the employee, or at any place mutually agreed upon,deleted text end new text begin evidence must be in a form and manner prescribed by the executive director for review new text end by an expert or experts designated by the medical adviser and engaged by the director. If deleted text begin any examination indicatesdeleted text end new text begin the medical information provided new text end to the medical adviser new text begin indicates new text end that the employee is no longer permanently and totally disabled, or is engaged in or can engage in a gainful occupation, payments of the disability benefit by the fund must be discontinued. The payments must be discontinued as soon as the employee is reinstated to the payroll following new text begin a new text end sick leavenew text begin of absencenew text end , but in no case may payment be made for more than 60 days after the medical adviser finds that the employee is no longer permanently and totally disabled.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.113, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Refusal of examination.

If a deleted text begin disabled employeedeleted text end new text begin person applying for a disability benefit new text end refuses to submit to deleted text begin an expertdeleted text end new text begin a medical or psychological examination, the disability application shall be rejected. If a disability benefit recipient refuses to submit to a medical or psychological new text end examination as required, payments by the fund must be discontinued and the director shall revoke all rights of the employee in any disability benefit.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.113, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Disabilitant earnings reports. new text end

new text begin Disability benefit recipients must report all earnings from reemployment and income from workers' compensation to the system annually by May 15 in a format prescribed by the executive director. If the form is not submitted by June 15, benefits must be suspended effective July 1. If the form deemed acceptable by the executive director is received after the June 15 deadline, benefits shall be reinstated retroactive to July 1. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Deferred annuity.

(a) An employee who has at least three years of allowable service if employed before July 1, 2010, or who has at least five years of allowable service if employed after June 30, 2010, when termination occurs may elect to leave the accumulated contributions in the fund and thereby be entitled to a deferred retirement annuity. The annuity must be computed under the law in effect when state service terminated, on the basis of the allowable service credited to the person before the termination of service.

(b) An employee on layoff or on leave of absence without pay, except a leave of absence for health reasons, and who does not return to state service must have an annuity, deferred annuity, or other benefit to which the employee may become entitled computed under the law in effect on the employee's last working day.

(c) No application for a deferred annuity may be made more than 60 days before the time the former employee reaches the required age for entitlement to the payment of the annuity. The deferred annuity begins to accrue no earlier than 60 days before the date the application is filed in the office of the system, but not (1) before the date on which the employee reaches the required age for entitlement to the annuity nor (2) before the day following the termination of state service in a position which is not covered by the retirement system.

(d) Application for the accumulated contributions left on deposit with the fund may be made at any time following the date of the termination of service.

new text begin (e) Deferred annuities must be augmented as provided in section 352.72, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.955, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Election to transfer prior MSRS-general service credit.

(a) An eligible employee described in paragraph (b) may elect to transfer service credit in the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System to the correctional state employees retirement plan for eligible prior correctional employment.

(b) An eligible employee is a person who is covered by deleted text begin Laws 2007, chapter 134, article 3, section 6, or who became eligible for retirement coverage by the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System under Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 2, Laws 2007, chapter 134, article 3, ordeleted text end legislation implementing the recommendations under section 352.91, subdivision 4a.

(c) Eligible prior correctional employment is new text begin employment new text end covered deleted text begin correctional service defined in Laws 2007, chapter 134, article 3, section 6, or is employment by the Department of Corrections or by the Department of Human Services that preceded the effective date of the retirement coverage transfer under Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 2, Laws 2007, chapter 134, article 3, or legislation implementing the recommendations under section 352.91, subdivision 4adeleted text end new text begin by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement Systemnew text end , is continuous service, and is certified by the commissioner of corrections and the commissioner of human services, whichever applies, and by the commissioner of management and budget to the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System as service that would qualify for correctional state employees retirement plan coverage under section 352.91, if the service deleted text begin wasdeleted text end new text begin had been new text end rendered after the date of coverage transfer.

(d) The election to transfer past service credit under this section must be made in writing by the applicable person on a form prescribed by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System and must be filed with the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System on or before deleted text begin (1) January 1, 2008, ordeleted text end the one year anniversary of the coverage transferdeleted text begin , whichever is later,deleted text end or deleted text begin (2)deleted text end the date of the eligible employee's termination of state employment, whichever is earlier.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.955, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Payment of additional equivalent contributionsdeleted text begin ; post-June 30, 2007, coverage transfersdeleted text end .

(a) An eligible employee who is transferred to plan coverage deleted text begin after June 30, 2007,deleted text end and who elects to transfer past service credit under this section must pay an additional member contribution for that prior service period. The additional member contribution is the amount computed under paragraph (b), plus the greater of the amount computed under paragraph (c), or 40 percent of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability attributable to the past service credit transfer.

(b) The executive director shall compute, for the most recent 12 months of service credit eligible for transfer, or for the entire period eligible for transfer if less than 12 months, the difference between the employee contribution rate or rates for the general state employees retirement plan and the employee contribution rate or rates for the correctional state employees retirement plan applied to the eligible employee's salary during that transfer period, plus compound interest at a monthly rate of 0.71 percent.

(c) The executive director shall compute, for any service credit being transferred on behalf of the eligible employee and not included under paragraph (b), the difference between the employee contribution rate or rates for the general state employees retirement plan and the employee contribution rate or rates for the correctional state employees retirement plan applied to the eligible employee's salary during that transfer period, plus compound interest at a monthly rate of 0.71 percent.

(d) The executive director shall compute an amount using the process specified in paragraph (b), but based on differences in employer contribution rates between the general state employees retirement plan and the correctional state employees retirement plan rather than employee contribution rates.

(e) The executive director shall compute an amount using the process specified in paragraph (c), but based on differences in employer contribution rates between the general state employees retirement plan and the correctional state employees retirement plan rather than employee contribution rates.

(f) The additional equivalent member contribution under this subdivision must be paid in a lump sum. Payment must accompany the election to transfer the prior service credit. No transfer election or additional equivalent member contribution payment may be made by a person or accepted by the executive director after the one year anniversary date of the effective date of the retirement coverage transfer, or the date on which the eligible employee terminates state employment, whichever is earlier.

(g) If an eligible employee elects to transfer past service credit under this section and pays the additional equivalent member contribution amount under paragraph (a), the applicable department shall pay an additional equivalent employer contribution amount. The additional employer contribution is the amount computed under paragraph (d), plus the greater of the amount computed under paragraph (e), or 60 percent of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability attributable to the past service credit transfer.

(h) The unfunded actuarial accrued liability attributable to the past service credit transfer is the present value of the benefit obtained by the transfer of the service credit to the correctional state employees retirement plan reduced by the amount of the asset transfer under subdivision 4, by the amount of the member contribution equivalent payment computed under paragraph (b), and by the amount of the employer contribution equivalent payment computed under paragraph (d).

(i) The additional equivalent employer contribution under this subdivision must be paid in a lump sum and must be paid within 30 days of the date on which the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System certifies to the applicable department that the employee paid the additional equivalent member contribution.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.011, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Surviving spouse.

"Surviving spouse" means a member's or former member's legally married spouse deleted text begin who resided with the member or former memberdeleted text end at the time of death deleted text begin and was married to the member or former member, for a period of at least one year, during or before the time of membershipdeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Disabilitant earnings reports. new text end

new text begin Disability benefit recipients must report all earnings from reemployment and income from workers' compensation to the system annually by May 15 in a format prescribed by the executive director. If the form is not submitted by June 15, benefits must be suspended effective July 1. If the form deemed acceptable by the executive director is received after the June 15 deadline, benefits shall be reinstated retroactive to July 1. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352D.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contribution rates.

(a) The money used to purchase shares under this section is the employee and employer contributions provided in this subdivision.

(b) The employee contribution is an amount equal to the percent of salary specified in section 352.04, subdivision 2, or 352.045, subdivision deleted text begin 3deleted text end new text begin 3anew text end .

(c) The employer contribution is an amount equal to six percent of salary.

(d) For members of the legislature, the contributions under this subdivision also must be made on per diem payments received during a regular or special legislative session, but may not be made on per diem payments received outside of a regular or special legislative session, on the additional compensation attributable to a leadership position under section 3.099, subdivision 3, living expense payments under section 3.101, or special session living expense payments under section 3.103.

(e) For a judge who is a member of the unclassified plan under section 352D.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (16), the employee contribution rate is eight percent of salary, and there is no employer contribution.

(f) These contributions must be made in the manner provided in section 352.04, subdivisions 4, 5, and 6.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.20, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Contents of financial report.

(a) The financial report required by this section must contain financial statements and disclosures that indicate the financial operations and position of the retirement plan and fund. The report must conform with generally accepted governmental accounting principles, applied on a consistent basis. The report must be audited.

(b) The report must includedeleted text begin , as part of its exhibits or its footnotes, an actuarial disclosure item based ondeleted text end new text begin a statement that new text end the actuarial valuation calculations prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214 or by the actuary retained by the retirement fund or plan, whichever applies, deleted text begin according todeleted text end new text begin comply with new text end applicable actuarial requirements enumerated in section 356.215, and specified in the most recent standards for actuarial work adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. The actuarial value of assets, the actuarial accrued liabilities, deleted text begin including accrued reserves,deleted text end and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund or plan must be disclosed. The deleted text begin disclosure itemdeleted text end new text begin report new text end must contain a deleted text begin declarationdeleted text end new text begin certification new text end by the actuary retained under section 356.214 or the actuary retained by the fund or plan, whichever applies, specifying that deleted text begin the required reserves for any retirement, disability, or survivordeleted text end new text begin normal cost and the actuarial accrued liabilities for all new text end benefits deleted text begin provided under a benefit formuladeleted text end are computed in accordance with the entry age actuarial cost method and in accordance with the most recent applicable standards for actuarial work adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

(c) The report must contain an itemized exhibit describing the administrative expenses of the plan, including, but not limited to, the following items, classified on a consistent basis from year to year, and with any further meaningful detail:

(1) personnel expenses;

(2) communication-related expenses;

(3) office building and maintenance expenses;

(4) professional services fees; and

(5) other expenses.

(d) The report must contain an itemized exhibit describing the investment expenses of the plan, including, but not limited to, the following items, classified on a consistent basis from year to year, and with any further meaningful detail:

(1) internal investment-related expenses; and

(2) external investment-related expenses.

(e) Any additional statements or exhibits or more detailed or subdivided itemization of a disclosure item that will enable the management of the plan to portray a true interpretation of the plan's financial condition must be included in the additional statements or exhibits.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.214, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Actuary retention.

(a) The governing board or managing or administrative official of each public pension plan and retirement fund or plan enumerated in paragraph (b) shall contract with an established actuarial consulting firm to conduct annual actuarial valuations and related services. The principal from the actuarial consulting firm on the contract must be an approved actuary under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(b) Actuarial services must include the preparation of actuarial valuations and related actuarial work for the following retirement plans:

(1) the teachers retirement plan, Teachers Retirement Association;

(2) the general state employees retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System;

(3) the correctional employees retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System;

(5) the judges retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System;

(6) the general employees retirement plan, Public Employees Retirement Association, including the MERF division;

(7) the public employees police and fire plan, Public Employees Retirement Association;

(8) the Duluth teachers retirement plan, Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(9) the St. Paul teachers retirement plan, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(10) the legislators retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System;new text begin andnew text end

deleted text begin (11) the elective state officers retirement plan, Minnesota State Retirement System; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (12)deleted text end new text begin (11) the new text end local government correctional service retirement plan, Public Employees Retirement Association.

new text begin (c) The actuarial valuation for the legislators retirement plan must include a separate calculation of total plan actuarial accrued liabilities due to constitutional officer coverage under section 3A.17. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The contracts must require completion of the annual actuarial valuation calculations on a fiscal year basis, with the contents of the actuarial valuation calculations as specified in section 356.215, and in conformity with the standards for actuarial work adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

The contracts must require completion of annual experience data collection and processing and a quadrennial published experience study for the plans listed in paragraph (b), clauses (1), (2), and (6), as provided for in the standards for actuarial work adopted by the commission. The experience data collection, processing, and analysis must evaluate the following:

(1) individual salary progression;

(2) the rate of return on investments based on the current asset value;

(3) payroll growth;

(4) mortality;

(5) retirement age;

(6) withdrawal; and

(7) disablement.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The actuary shall annually prepare a report to the governing or managing board or administrative official and the legislature, summarizing the results of the actuarial valuation calculations. The actuary shall include with the report any recommendations concerning the appropriateness of the support rates to achieve proper funding of the retirement plans by the required funding dates. The actuary shall, as part of the quadrennial experience study, include recommendations on the appropriateness of the actuarial valuation assumptions required for evaluation in the study.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end If the actuarial gain and loss analysis in the actuarial valuation calculations indicates a persistent pattern of sizable gains or losses, the governing or managing board or administrative official shall direct the actuary to prepare a special experience study for a plan listed in paragraph (b), clause (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), or (12), in the manner provided for in the standards for actuarial work adopted by the commission.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.215, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of sections 3.85 and 356.20 to 356.23, each of the terms in the following paragraphs has the meaning given.

(b) "Actuarial valuation" means a set of calculations prepared by an actuary retained under section 356.214 if so required under section 3.85, or otherwise, by an approved actuary, to determine the normal cost and the accrued actuarial liabilities of a benefit plan, according to the entry age actuarial cost method and based upon stated assumptions including, but not limited to rates of interest, mortality, salary increase, disability, withdrawal, and retirement and to determine the payment necessary to amortize over a stated period any unfunded accrued actuarial liability disclosed as a result of the actuarial valuation of the benefit plan.

(c) "Approved actuary" means a person who is regularly engaged in the business of providing actuarial services and who is a fellow in the Society of Actuaries.

(d) "Entry age actuarial cost method" means an actuarial cost method under which the actuarial present value of the projected benefits of each individual currently covered by the benefit plan and included in the actuarial valuation is allocated on a level basis over the service of the individual, if the benefit plan is governed by section 69.773, or over the earnings of the individual, if the benefit plan is governed by any other law, between the entry age and the assumed exit age, with the portion of the actuarial present value which is allocated to the valuation year to be the normal cost and the portion of the actuarial present value not provided for at the valuation date by the actuarial present value of future normal costs to be the actuarial accrued liability, with aggregation in the calculation process to be the sum of the calculated result for each covered individual and with recognition given to any different benefit formulas which may apply to various periods of service.

(e) "Experience study" means a report providing experience data and an actuarial analysis of the adequacy of the actuarial assumptions on which actuarial valuations are based.

(f) "Actuarial value of assets" meansdeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) For the July 1, 2012, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2012, reduced by: deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2008; deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2009; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2010, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2010; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2011, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2011; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (v) if applicable, 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had increased at 8.5 percent annually. deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) For the July 1, 2013, and following actuarial valuations,deleted text end the market value of all assets as of the preceding June 30, reduced by:

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred three years earlier and the June 30 that occurred four years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred four years earlier;

deleted text begin (ii)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred two years earlier and the June 30 that occurred three years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred three years earlier;

deleted text begin (iii)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred one year earlier and the June 30 that occurred two years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred two years earlier; and

deleted text begin (iv)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the most recent June 30 and the June 30 that occurred one year earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred one year earlier.

(g) "Unfunded actuarial accrued liability" means the total current and expected future benefit obligations, reduced by the sum of the actuarial value of assets and the present value of future normal costs.

(h) "Pension benefit obligation" means the actuarial present value of credited projected benefits, determined as the actuarial present value of benefits estimated to be payable in the future as a result of employee service attributing an equal benefit amount, including the effect of projected salary increases and any step rate benefit accrual rate differences, to each year of credited and expected future employee service.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.215, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Interest and salary assumptions.

(a) The actuarial valuation must use the applicable following preretirement interest assumption and the applicable following postretirement interest assumption:

(1) select and ultimate interest rate assumption

plan ultimate preretirement interest rate assumption ultimate postretirement interest rate assumption
general state employees retirement plan 8.5% 6.0%
correctional state employees retirement plan 8.5 6.0
State Patrol retirement plan 8.5 6.0
legislators retirement plannew text begin , and for the constitutional officers calculation of total plan liabilitiesnew text end 0.0 deleted text begin -2.0 until June 30, 2040, and -2.5 after June 30, 2040deleted text end new text begin 0.0new text end
deleted text begin elective state officers retirement plan deleted text end deleted text begin 0.0deleted text end deleted text begin -2.0 until June 30, 2040, and -2.5 after June 30, 2040 deleted text end
judges retirement plan 8.5 6.0
general public employees retirement plan 8.5 6.0
public employees police and fire retirement plan 8.5 6.0
local government correctional service retirement plan 8.5 6.0
teachers retirement plan 8.5 6.0
Duluth teachers retirement plan 8.5 8.5
St. Paul teachers retirement plan 8.5 8.5

Except for the legislators retirement plan and the deleted text begin elective statedeleted text end new text begin constitutional new text end officers deleted text begin retirement plandeleted text end new text begin calculation of total plan liabilitiesnew text end , the select preretirement interest rate assumption for the period after June 30, 2012, through June 30, 2017, is 8.0 percent. Except for the legislators retirement plan and the deleted text begin elective statedeleted text end new text begin constitutional new text end officers deleted text begin retirement plandeleted text end new text begin calculation of total plan liabilitiesnew text end , the select postretirement interest rate assumption for the period after June 30, 2012, through June 30, 2017, is 5.5 percent, except for the Duluth teachers retirement plan and the St. Paul teachers retirement plan, each with a select postretirement interest rate assumption for the period after June 30, 2012, through June 30, 2017, of 8.0 percent.

(2) single rate preretirement and postretirement interest rate assumption

plan interest rate assumption
Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association 6.0
local monthly benefit volunteer firefighters relief associations 5.0

(b) The actuarial valuation must use the applicable following single rate future salary increase assumption, the applicable following modified single rate future salary increase assumption, or the applicable following graded rate future salary increase assumption:

(1) single rate future salary increase assumption

plan future salary increase assumption
legislators retirement plan 5.0%
judges retirement plan 3.0
Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association 4.0

(2) age-related future salary increase age-related select and ultimate future salary increase assumption or graded rate future salary increase assumption

plan future salary increase assumption
local government correctional service retirement plan assumption C
Duluth teachers retirement plan assumption A
St. Paul teachers retirement plan assumption B

For plans other than the Duluth teachers retirement plan, the select calculation is: during the designated select period, a designated percentage rate is multiplied by the result of the designated integer minus T, where T is the number of completed years of service, and is added to the applicable future salary increase assumption. The designated select period is ten years and the designated integer is ten for all retirement plans covered by this clause. The designated percentage rate is 0.3 percent for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association. The select calculation for the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association is 8.00 percent per year for service years one through seven, 7.25 percent per year for service years seven and eight, and 6.50 percent per year for service years eight and nine.

The ultimate future salary increase assumption is:

age A B C
16 8.00% 6.90% 9.00%
17 8.00 6.90 9.00
18 8.00 6.90 9.00
19 8.00 6.90 9.00
20 6.90 6.90 9.00
21 6.90 6.90 8.75
22 6.90 6.90 8.50
23 6.85 6.85 8.25
24 6.80 6.80 8.00
25 6.75 6.75 7.75
26 6.70 6.70 7.50
27 6.65 6.65 7.25
28 6.60 6.60 7.00
29 6.55 6.55 6.75
30 6.50 6.50 6.75
31 6.45 6.45 6.50
32 6.40 6.40 6.50
33 6.35 6.35 6.50
34 6.30 6.30 6.25
35 6.25 6.25 6.25
36 6.20 6.20 6.00
37 6.15 6.15 6.00
38 6.10 6.10 6.00
39 6.05 6.05 5.75
40 6.00 6.00 5.75
41 5.90 5.95 5.75
42 5.80 5.90 5.50
43 5.70 5.85 5.25
44 5.60 5.80 5.25
45 5.50 5.75 5.00
46 5.40 5.70 5.00
47 5.30 5.65 5.00
48 5.20 5.60 5.00
49 5.10 5.55 5.00
50 5.00 5.50 5.00
51 4.90 5.45 5.00
52 4.80 5.40 5.00
53 4.70 5.35 5.00
54 4.60 5.30 5.00
55 4.50 5.25 4.75
56 4.40 5.20 4.75
57 4.30 5.15 4.50
58 4.20 5.10 4.25
59 4.10 5.05 4.25
60 4.00 5.00 4.25
61 3.90 5.00 4.25
62 3.80 5.00 4.25
63 3.70 5.00 4.25
64 3.60 5.00 4.25
65 3.50 5.00 4.00
66 3.50 5.00 4.00
67 3.50 5.00 4.00
68 3.50 5.00 4.00
69 3.50 5.00 4.00
70 3.50 5.00 4.00

(3) service-related ultimate future salary increase assumption

general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System assumption A
general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association assumption B
Teachers Retirement Association assumption C
public employees police and fire retirement plan assumption D
State Patrol retirement plan assumption E
correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System assumption F
service length A B C D E F
1 10.50% 12.03% 12.00% 13.00% 8.00% 6.00%
2 8.10 8.90 9.00 11.00 7.50 5.85
3 6.90 7.46 8.00 9.00 7.00 5.70
4 6.20 6.58 7.50 8.00 6.75 5.55
5 5.70 5.97 7.25 6.50 6.50 5.40
6 5.30 5.52 7.00 6.10 6.25 5.25
7 5.00 5.16 6.85 5.80 6.00 5.10
8 4.70 4.87 6.70 5.60 5.85 4.95
9 4.50 4.63 6.55 5.40 5.70 4.80
10 4.40 4.42 6.40 5.30 5.55 4.65
11 4.20 4.24 6.25 5.20 5.40 4.55
12 4.10 4.08 6.00 5.10 5.25 4.45
13 4.00 3.94 5.75 5.00 5.10 4.35
14 3.80 3.82 5.50 4.90 4.95 4.25
15 3.70 3.70 5.25 4.80 4.80 4.15
16 3.60 3.60 5.00 4.80 4.65 4.05
17 3.50 3.51 4.75 4.80 4.50 3.95
18 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.80 4.35 3.85
19 3.50 3.50 4.25 4.80 4.20 3.75
20 3.50 3.50 4.00 4.80 4.05 3.75
21 3.50 3.50 3.90 4.70 4.00 3.75
22 3.50 3.50 3.80 4.60 4.00 3.75
23 3.50 3.50 3.70 4.50 4.00 3.75
24 3.50 3.50 3.60 4.50 4.00 3.75
25 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75
26 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75
27 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75
28 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75
29 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75
30 or more 3.50 3.50 3.50 4.50 4.00 3.75

(c) The actuarial valuation must use the applicable following payroll growth assumption for calculating the amortization requirement for the unfunded actuarial accrued liability where the amortization retirement is calculated as a level percentage of an increasing payroll:

plan payroll growth assumption
general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System 3.75%
correctional state employees retirement plan 3.75
State Patrol retirement plan 3.75
judges retirement plan 3.00
general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association 3.75
public employees police and fire retirement plan 3.75
local government correctional service retirement plan 3.75
teachers retirement plan 3.75
Duluth teachers retirement plan 4.50
St. Paul teachers retirement plan 5.00

(d) The assumptions set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) continue to apply, unless a different salary assumption or a different payroll increase assumption:

(1) has been proposed by the governing board of the applicable retirement plan;

(2) is accompanied by the concurring recommendation of the actuary retained under section 356.214, subdivision 1, if applicable, or by the approved actuary preparing the most recent actuarial valuation report if section 356.214 does not apply; and

(3) has been approved or deemed approved under subdivision 18.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Covered plans.

This section applies to the following retirement plans:

(1) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established under chapter 352;

(2) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established under chapter 352;

(3) the unclassified employees retirement program, established under chapter 352D;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan, established under chapter 352B;

(5) the legislators retirement plan, established under chapter 3Anew text begin , including constitutional officers as specified in that chapternew text end ;

deleted text begin (6) the elective state officers retirement plan, established under chapter 352C; deleted text end

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353, including the MERF division of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end the public employees police and fire retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353;

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353E;

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (9)new text end the Teachers Retirement Association, established under chapter 354;

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A;

deleted text begin (12)deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A; and

deleted text begin (13)deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end the judges retirement fund, established by chapter 490.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.401, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Covered retirement plans.

The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans:

(1) the legislators retirement plan, established by chapter 3Anew text begin , including constitutional officers as specified in that chapternew text end ;

(2) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established by chapter 352;

(3) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established by chapter 352;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan, established by chapter 352B;

deleted text begin (5) the elective state officers retirement plan, established by chapter 352C; deleted text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end the unclassified state employees retirement program, established by chapter 352D;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353, including the MERF division of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353;

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end the public employees defined contribution plan, established by chapter 353D;

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353E;

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, established by chapter 353G;

deleted text begin (12)deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end the Teachers Retirement Association, established by chapter 354;

deleted text begin (13)deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;

deleted text begin (14)deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;

deleted text begin (15)deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end the individual retirement account plan, established by chapter 354B;

deleted text begin (16)deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end the higher education supplemental retirement plan, established by chapter 354C; and

deleted text begin (17)deleted text end new text begin (16) new text end the judges retirement fund, established by chapter 490.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Annual postretirement adjustments; Minnesota State Retirement System plans other than State Patrol retirement plan.

(a) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of the legislators retirement deleted text begin plandeleted text end new text begin plans, including constitutional officers as specified in chapter 3Anew text end , the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, deleted text begin the elected state officers retirement plan,deleted text end the unclassified state employees retirement program, and the judges retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) a postretirement increase of two percent must be applied each year, effective on January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least 18 full months before the January 1 increase; and

(2) for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least six full months, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of two percent for each month that the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied, effective January 1, following the calendar year in which the person has been retired for at least six months, but has been retired for less than 18 months.

(b) The increases provided by this subdivision commence on January 1, 2011. Increases under this subdivision for the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, or the judges retirement plan terminate on December 31 of the calendar year in which the actuarial valuation prepared by the approved actuary under sections 356.214 and 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work promulgated by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement indicates that the market value of assets of the retirement plan equals or exceeds 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan and increases under subdivision 1 recommence after that date. Increases under this subdivision for the legislators retirement plan or the elected state officers retirement plan terminate on December 31 of the calendar year in which the actuarial valuation prepared by the approved actuary under sections 356.214 and 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work promulgated by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement indicates that the market value of assets of the general state employees retirement plan equals or exceeds 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan and increases under subdivision 1 recommence after that date.

(c) An increase in annuity or benefit payments under this subdivision must be made automatically unless written notice is filed by the annuitant or benefit recipient with the executive director of the applicable covered retirement plan requesting that the increase not be made.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Covered retirement plans.

The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans:

(1) the legislators retirement plan established under chapter 3Anew text begin , including constitutional officers as specified in that chapternew text end ;

(2) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(3) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan established under chapter 352B;

deleted text begin (5) the elective state officers retirement plan established under chapter 352C; deleted text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353, including the MERF division of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end the public employees police and fire retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end the local government correctional employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353E;

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end the teachers retirement plan established under chapter 354; and

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end the judges retirement plan established under chapter 490.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 32.

new text begin APPLICATION AND INTENT. new text end

new text begin Sections 2 to 8 and 25 to 31 merge the remaining provisions of the elective state officers retirement plan into the legislators retirement plan chapter to achieve administrative savings, including reduced cost for actuarial calculations. Nothing in those sections should be interpreted as modifying benefits or benefit eligibility compared to law in effect immediately before the effective date of this section. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 33.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 3A.02, subdivision 3; 352C.001; 352C.091, subdivision 1; and 352C.10, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 352.045, subdivisions 3 and 4; and 352.955, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (a) is effective July 1, 2013. Paragraph (b) is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 3

PERA ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Excluded employees.

(a) The following public employees are not eligible to participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the general employees retirement plan, the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, or the public employees police and fire retirement plan:

(1) persons whose salary from one governmental subdivision never exceeds $425 in a month;

(2) public officers who are elected to a governing body, city mayors, or persons who are appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office of a governing body, whose term of office commences on or after July 1, 2002, for the service to be rendered in that elective position;

(3) election officers or election judges;

(4) patient and inmate personnel who perform services for a governmental subdivision;

(5) except as otherwise specified in subdivision 12a, employees who are hired for a temporary position as defined under subdivision 12a, and employees who resign from a nontemporary position and accept a temporary position within 30 days in the same governmental subdivision;

(6) employees who are employed by reason of work emergency caused by fire, flood, storm, or similar disaster;

(7) employees who by virtue of their employment in one governmental subdivision are required by law to be a member of and to contribute to any of the plans or funds administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement Association, the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, or any police or firefighters relief association governed by section 69.77 that has not consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association, or any local police or firefighters consolidation account who have not elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under sections 353A.01 to 353A.10, or any persons covered by section 353.665, subdivision 4, 5, or 6, who have not elected public employees police and fire plan benefit coverage. This clause must not be construed to prevent a person from being a member of and contributing to the Public Employees Retirement Association and also belonging to and contributing to another public pension plan or fund for other service occurring during the same period of time. A person who meets the definition of "public employee" in subdivision 2 by virtue of other service occurring during the same period of time becomes a member of the association unless contributions are made to another public retirement fund on the salary based on the other service or to the Teachers Retirement Association by a teacher as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 2;

(8) persons who are members of a religious order and are excluded from coverage under the federal Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance Program for the performance of service as specified in United States Code, title 42, section 410(a)(8)(A), as amended through January 1, 1987, if no irrevocable election of coverage has been made under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended;

(9) employees of a governmental subdivision who have not reached the age of 23 and are enrolled on a full-time basis to attend or are attending classes on a full-time basis at an accredited school, college, or university in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional-technical program, or a public or charter high school;

(10) resident physicians, medical interns, and pharmacist residents and pharmacist interns who are serving in a degree or residency program in public hospitals or clinics;

(11) students who are serving new text begin for up to five years new text end in an internship or residency program sponsored by new text begin a governmental subdivision, including new text end an accredited educational institution;

(12) persons who hold a part-time adult supplementary technical college license who render part-time teaching service in a technical college;

(13) except for employees of Hennepin County or Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., foreign citizens who are employed by a governmental subdivision under a work permit, or an H-1b visa initially issued or extended for a combined period less than three years of employment. Upon extension of the employment beyond the three-year period, the foreign citizens must be reported for membership beginning the first of the month thereafter provided the monthly earnings threshold as provided under subdivision 2a is met;

(14) public hospital employees who elected not to participate as members of the association before 1972 and who did not elect to participate from July 1, 1988, to October 1, 1988;

(15) except as provided in section 353.86, volunteer ambulance service personnel, as defined in subdivision 35, but persons who serve as volunteer ambulance service personnel may still qualify as public employees under subdivision 2 and may be members of the Public Employees Retirement Association and participants in the general employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, on the basis of compensation received from public employment service other than service as volunteer ambulance service personnel;

(16) except as provided in section 353.87, volunteer firefighters, as defined in subdivision 36, engaging in activities undertaken as part of volunteer firefighter duties, but a person who is a volunteer firefighter may still qualify as a public employee under subdivision 2 and may be a member of the Public Employees Retirement Association and a participant in the general employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, on the basis of compensation received from public employment activities other than those as a volunteer firefighter;

(17) pipefitters and associated trades personnel employed by Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the pipefitters local 455 pension plan who were either first employed after May 1, 1997, or, if first employed before May 2, 1997, elected to be excluded under Laws 1997, chapter 241, article 2, section 12;

(18) electrical workers, plumbers, carpenters, and associated trades personnel who are employed by Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, or the city of St. Paul, who have retirement coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Electrical Workers Local 110 pension plan, the United Association Plumbers Local 34 pension plan, or the pension plan applicable to Carpenters Local 87 who were either first employed after May 1, 2000, or, if first employed before May 2, 2000, elected to be excluded under Laws 2000, chapter 461, article 7, section 5;

(19) bricklayers, allied craftworkers, cement masons, glaziers, glassworkers, painters, allied tradesworkers, and plasterers who are employed by the city of St. Paul or Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 pension plan, the Cement Masons Local 633 pension plan, the Glaziers and Glassworkers Local L-1324 pension plan, the Painters and Allied Trades Local 61 pension plan, or the Twin Cities Plasterers Local 265 pension plan who were either first employed after May 1, 2001, or if first employed before May 2, 2001, elected to be excluded under Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10, section 6;

(20) plumbers who are employed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Plumbers Local 34 pension plan, who either were first employed after May 1, 2001, or if first employed before May 2, 2001, elected to be excluded under Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10, section 6;

(21) employees who are hired after June 30, 2002, to fill seasonal positions under subdivision 12b which are limited in duration by the employer to 185 consecutive calendar days or less in each year of employment with the governmental subdivision;

(22) persons who are provided supported employment or work-study positions by a governmental subdivision and who participate in an employment or industries program maintained for the benefit of these persons where the governmental subdivision limits the position's duration new text begin up new text end to deleted text begin threedeleted text end new text begin five new text end years deleted text begin or lessdeleted text end , including persons participating in a federal or state subsidized on-the-job training, work experience, senior citizen, youth, or unemployment relief program where the training or work experience is not provided as a part of, or for, future permanent public employment;

(23) independent contractors and the employees of independent contractors;

(24) reemployed annuitants of the association during the course of that reemployment; and

(25) persons appointed to serve on a board or commission of a governmental subdivision or an instrumentality thereof.

(b) Any person performing the duties of a public officer in a position defined in subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause (3), is not an independent contractor and is not an employee of an independent contractor.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Allowable service; limits and computation.

(a) "Allowable service" means:

(1) service during years of actual membership in the course of which employee deductions were withheld from salary and contributions were made at the applicable rates under section 353.27, 353.65, or 353E.03;

(2) periods of service covered by payments in lieu of salary deductions under sections 353.27, subdivision 12, and 353.35;

(3) service in years during which the public employee was not a member but for which the member later elected, while a member, to obtain credit by making payments to the fund as permitted by any law then in effect;

(4) a period of authorized leave of absence with pay from which deductions for employee contributions are made, deposited, and credited to the fund;

(5) a period of authorized personal, parental, or medical leave of absence without pay, including a leave of absence covered under the federal Family Medical Leave Act, that does not exceed one year, and for which a member obtained service credit for each month in the leave period by payment under section 353.0161 to the fund made in place of salary deductions. An employee must return to public service and render a minimum of three months of allowable service in order to be eligible to make payment under section 353.0161 for a subsequent authorized leave of absence without pay. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

(6) a periodic, repetitive leave that is offered to all employees of a governmental subdivision. The leave program may not exceed 208 hours per annual normal work cycle as certified to the association by the employer. A participating member obtains service credit by making employee contributions in an amount or amounts based on the member's average salary, excluding overtime pay, that would have been paid if the leave had not been taken. The employer shall pay the employer and additional employer contributions on behalf of the participating member. The employee and the employer are responsible to pay interest on their respective shares at the rate of 8.5 percent a year, compounded annually, from the end of the normal cycle until full payment is made. An employer shall also make the employer and additional employer contributions, plus 8.5 percent interest, compounded annually, on behalf of an employee who makes employee contributions but terminates public service. The employee contributions must be made within one year after the end of the annual normal working cycle or within 30 days after termination of public service, whichever is sooner. The executive director shall prescribe the manner and forms to be used by a governmental subdivision in administering a periodic, repetitive leave. Upon payment, the member must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

(7) an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff under subdivision 12, limited to three months allowable service per authorized temporary or seasonal layoff in one calendar year. An employee who has received the maximum service credit allowed for an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff must return to public service and must obtain a minimum of three months of allowable service subsequent to the layoff in order to receive allowable service for a subsequent authorized temporary or seasonal layoff;

(8) a period during which a member is absent from employment by a governmental subdivision by reason of service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), if the member returns to public service with the same governmental subdivision upon discharge from service in the uniformed service within the time frames required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), provided that the member did not separate from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions. The service must be credited if the member pays into the fund equivalent employee contributions based upon the contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed multiplied by the full and fractional years being purchased and applied to the annual salary rate. The annual salary rate is the average annual salarydeleted text begin , excluding overtime pay,deleted text end during the purchase period that the member would have received if the member had continued to be employed in covered employment rather than to provide uniformed service, or, if the determination of that rate is not reasonably certain, the annual salary rate is the member's average salary ratedeleted text begin , excluding overtime pay,deleted text end during the 12-month period of covered employment rendered immediately preceding the period of the uniformed service. Payment of the member equivalent contributions must be made during a period that begins with the date on which the individual returns to public employment and that is three times the length of the military leave period, or within five years of the date of discharge from the military service, whichever is less. If the determined payment period is less than one year, the contributions required under this clause to receive service credit may be made within one year of the discharge date. Payment may not be accepted following 30 days after termination of public service under subdivision 11a. If the member equivalent contributions provided for in this clause are not paid in full, the member's allowable service credit must be prorated by multiplying the full and fractional number of years of uniformed service eligible for purchase by the ratio obtained by dividing the total member contributions received by the total member contributions otherwise required under this clause. The equivalent employer contribution, and, if applicable, the equivalent additional employer contribution must be paid by the governmental subdivision employing the member if the member makes the equivalent employee contributions. The employer payments must be made from funds available to the employing unit, using the employer and additional employer contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed, applied to the same annual salary rate or rates used to compute the equivalent member contribution. The governmental subdivision involved may appropriate money for those payments. The amount of service credit obtainable under this section may not exceed five years unless a longer purchase period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312. The employing unit shall pay interest on all equivalent member and employer contribution amounts payable under this clause. Interest must be computed at a rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the end of each fiscal year of the leave or the break in service to the end of the month in which the payment is received. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period; or

(9) a period specified under section 353.0162.

(b) For calculating benefits under sections 353.30, 353.31, 353.32, and 353.33 for state officers and employees displaced by the Community Corrections Act, chapter 401, and transferred into county service under section 401.04, "allowable service" means the combined years of allowable service as defined in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6), and section 352.01, subdivision 11.

(c) For a public employee who has prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association under chapter 353A or to which section 353.665 applies, and who has elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund either under section 353A.08 following the consolidation or under section 353.665, subdivision 4, "allowable service" is a period of service credited by the local police or firefighters relief association as of the effective date of the consolidation based on law and on bylaw provisions governing the relief association on the date of the initiation of the consolidation procedure.

(d) No member may receive more than 12 months of allowable service credit in a year either for vesting purposes or for benefit calculation purposes. For an active member who was an active member of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, "allowable service" is the period of service credited by the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association as reflected in the transferred records of the association up to December 30, 2011, and the period of service credited under paragraph (a), clause (1), after December 30, 2011. For an active member who was an active member of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, "allowable service" is the period of service credited by the Minneapolis Police Relief Association as reflected in the transferred records of the association up to December 30, 2011, and the period of service credited under paragraph (a), clause (1), after December 30, 2011.

(e) MS 2002 [Expired]

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 17a, is amended to read:

Subd. 17a.

Average salary.

(a) "Average salary," deleted text begin for purposes of calculating a retirement annuity under section 353.29, subdivision 3deleted text end new text begin unless otherwise specifiednew text end , means an amount equivalent to the average of the highest salary of the member, police officer, or firefighter, whichever applies, upon which employee contributions were paid for any five successive years of allowable service, based on dates of salary periods as listed on salary deduction reports. Average salary must be based upon all allowable service if this service is less than five years.

(b) "Average salary" may not include any reduced salary paid during a period in which the employee is entitled to benefit payments from workers' compensation for temporary disability, unless the average salary is higher, including this period.

new text begin (c) "Average salary," for purposes of calculating benefits for a surviving spouse or dependent children under section 353.657, subdivision 2 or 3, means the average of the full-time monthly base salary rate in effect during the last six months of allowable service. If the employment during the last six months of allowable service was part-time, the average salary must be prorated based on the actual number of hours worked. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

Subd. 29.

Designated beneficiary.

"Designated beneficiary" means the person deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end organizationnew text begin , trust, or estatenew text end designated by a member, former member, deleted text begin disabilitant, or retired member in writing, signed and filed with the association before the death of the member, former member, disabilitant, or retired member,deleted text end new text begin or a person legally authorized to act on behalf of the member or former member new text end to receive a refund of the balance of the member's new text begin or former member's new text end accumulated deductions after death.new text begin A beneficiary designation is valid if it is made in the form prescribed by the executive director and is received by the association on or before the date of death of the member or former member. If a beneficiary designation is deemed to be invalid for any reason, any remaining balance of the member's or former member's accumulated deductions are subject to the provisions of section 353.32, subdivisions 4 and 5.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.27, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Adjustment for erroneous receipts or disbursements.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions and additional employer contributions to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association or to the public employees police and fire retirement plan for a person who otherwise does not qualify for membership under this chapter, are considered:

(1) valid if the initial erroneous deduction began before January 1, 1990. Upon determination of the error by the association, the person may continue membership in the association while employed in the same position for which erroneous deductions were taken, or file a written election to terminate membership and apply for a refund upon termination of public service or defer an annuity under section 353.34; or

(2) invalid, if the initial erroneous employee deduction began on or after January 1, 1990. Upon determination of the error, the association shall refund all erroneous employee deductions and all erroneous employer contributions as specified in paragraph (e). No person may claim a right to continued or past membership in the association based on erroneous deductions which began on or after January 1, 1990.

(b) Erroneous deductions taken from the salary of a person who did not qualify for membership in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association or in the public employees police and fire retirement plan by virtue of concurrent employment before July 1, 1978, which required contributions to another retirement fund or relief association established for the benefit of officers and employees of a governmental subdivision, are invalid. Upon discovery of the error, allowable service credit for all invalid service if forfeited and, upon termination of public service, the association shall refund all erroneous employee deductions to the person, with interest as determined under section 353.34, subdivision 2, and all erroneous employer contributions without interest to the employer. This paragraph has both retroactive and prospective application.

(c) Adjustments to correct employer contributions and employee deductions taken in error from amounts which are not salary under section 353.01, subdivision 10, must be made as specified in paragraph (e). The period of adjustment must be limited to the fiscal year in which the error is discovered by the association and the immediate two preceding fiscal years.

(d) If there is evidence of fraud or other misconduct on the part of the employee or the employer, the board of trustees may authorize adjustments to the account of a member or former member to correct erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions on invalid salary and the recovery of any overpayments for a period longer than provided for under paragraph (c).

(e) Upon discovery of the receipt of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions under paragraph (a), clause (2), or paragraph (c), the association must require the employer to discontinue the erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions reported on behalf of a member. Upon discontinuation, the association must:

(1) for a member, provide a refund in the amount of the invalid employee deductions with interest on the invalid employee deductions at the rate specified under section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction through the date the credit or refund is made;

(2) for a former member who:

(i) is not receiving a retirement annuity or benefit, return the erroneous employee deductions to the former member through a refund with interest at the rate specified under section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction through the date the credit or refund is made; or

(ii) is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit, or a person who is receiving an optional annuity or survivor benefit, for whom it has been determined an overpayment must be recovered, adjust the payment amount and recover the overpayments as provided under this section; and

(3) return the invalid employer contributions reported on behalf of a member or former member to the employer by providing a credit against future contributions payable by the employer.

(f) In the event that a salary warrant or check from which a deduction for the retirement fund was taken has been canceled or the amount of the warrant or check returned to the funds of the department making the payment, a refund of the sum deducted, or any portion of it that is required to adjust the deductions, must be made to the department or institution.

(g) If the deleted text begin accrual date of anydeleted text end new text begin association discovers that a new text end retirement annuity, survivor benefit, or disability benefit deleted text begin is within the limitation period specified in paragraph (c), and an overpayment has resulteddeleted text end new text begin has been incorrectly calculated new text end by using invalid service or salary, or due to any erroneous calculation procedure, the association must recalculate the annuity or benefit payable and deleted text begin recover anydeleted text end new text begin begin payment of the corrected annuity or benefit effective the first of the month following discovery of the error. Any new text end overpayment new text begin resulting from the incorrect calculation must be recovered new text end as provided under subdivision 7bnew text begin , if the accrual date, or any adjustment in the amount of the annuity or benefit calculated after the accrual date, except adjustments required under section 353.656, subdivision 4, falls within the current fiscal year and the two immediate previous fiscal yearsnew text end .

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the association may apply the Revenue Procedures defined in the federal Internal Revenue Service Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System and not issue a refund of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions or not recover a small overpayment of benefits if the cost to correct the error would exceed the amount of the member refund or overpayment.

(i) Any fees or penalties assessed by the federal Internal Revenue Service for any failure by an employer to follow the statutory requirements for reporting eligible members and salary must be paid by the employer.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.34, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Refund or deferred annuity.

(a) A former member is entitled to either a refund of accumulated employee deductions under subdivision 2, or to a deferred annuity under subdivision 3. Application for a refund may not be made before the date of termination of public service. deleted text begin Except as specified in paragraph (b),deleted text end A refund must be paid within 120 days following receipt of the application unless the applicant has again become a public employee required to be covered by the association.

(b) If an individual was placed on layoff under section 353.01, subdivision 12 or 12c, a refund is not payable before termination of service under section 353.01, subdivision 11a.

(c) An individual who terminates public service covered by the Public Employees Retirement Association general employees retirement plan, the MERF division, the Public Employees Retirement Association police and fire retirement plan, or the public employees local government correctional service retirement plan, and who is employed by a different employer and who becomes an active member covered by one of the other two plans, may receive a refund of employee contributions plus annual compound interest from the plan from which the member terminated service at the applicable rate specified in subdivision 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.34, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Refund with interest.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision 1, any person who ceases to be a public employee is entitled to receive a refund in an amount equal to accumulated deductions with annual compound interest to the first day of the month in which the refund is processed.

(b) For a person who ceases to be a public employee before July 1, 2011, the refund interest is at the rate of six percent to June 30, 2011, and at the rate of four percent after June 30, 2011. For a person who ceases to be a public employee after July 1, 2011, the refund interest is at the rate of four percent.

(c) If a person repays a refund and subsequently applies for another refund, the repayment amount, including interest, is added to the fiscal year balance in which the repayment was made.

new text begin (d) If the refund payable to a member is based on employee deductions that are determined to be invalid under section 353.27, subdivision 7, the interest payable on the invalid employee deductions is four percent. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.50, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Service credit and benefit liability transfer.

(a) All allowable service credit and salary credit of the members of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund as specified in the records of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund through June 30, 2010, are transferred to the MERF division of the Public Employees Retirement Association and are credited by the MERF division. deleted text begin Annuities or benefits of persons who are active members of the former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund on June 30, 2010, must be calculated under Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 422A.11; 422A.12; 422A.13; 422A.14; 422A.15; 422A.151; 422A.155; 422A.156; 422A.16; 422A.17; 422A.18; 422A.19; 422A.20; and 422A.23, but are only eligible for automatic postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2010, under section 356.415.deleted text end

(b) The liability for the payment of annuities and benefits of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund retirees and benefit recipients as specified in the records of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund on June 29, 2010, is transferred to the MERF division of the Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.50, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Benefits.

(a) new text begin Retired, disabled, deferred, and inactive member benefits. new text end The annuities and benefits of, or attributable to, retired, disabled, deferred, or inactive Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund members with that status as of June 30, 2010, deleted text begin with the exception of post-December 31, 2010, postretirement adjustments, which are governed by paragraph (b),deleted text end as calculated under Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 422A.11; 422A.12; 422A.13; 422A.14; 422A.15; 422A.151; 422A.155; 422A.156; 422A.16; 422A.17; 422A.18; 422A.19; 422A.20; and 422A.23, continue in force deleted text begin after the administrative consolidation under Laws 2010, chapter 359, article 11deleted text end .

new text begin (b) Benefits; benefit eligibility for June 30, 2010, active members. Persons who were active members of the former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund on June 30, 2010, upon satisfying eligibility requirements stated in the applicable sections of Minnesota Statutes 2008 specified in paragraph (a), are entitled to annuities or benefits specified in those sections. Eligibility for a formula retirement annuity includes the requirement in Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 422A.13 and 422A.16, that the terminating member has attained retirement age, which is age 60 if the person has at least ten years of service credit, or any age if the person has 30 or more years of service credit. new text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c) Postretirement adjustments. new text end After December 31, 2010, annuities and benefits from the MERF division are eligible for annual automatic postretirement adjustments solely under section 356.415.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.657, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Benefit amount.

(a) The spouse of a deceased member is entitled to receive a monthly benefit for life equal to the following percentage of the member's average deleted text begin full-time monthlydeleted text end salary deleted text begin ratedeleted text end new text begin , as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, paragraph (c), new text end as a member of the police and fire plan deleted text begin in effect over the last six months of allowable service preceding the month in which death occurreddeleted text end :

(1) if the death was a line of duty death, 60 percent of the deleted text begin stateddeleted text end average salary is payable; and

(2) if the death was not a line of duty death or if death occurred while receiving disability benefits that accrued before July 1, 2007, 50 percent of the deleted text begin stateddeleted text end average salary is payable.

(b) deleted text begin If the member was a part-time employee in the position for which the employee qualified for participation in the police and fire plan, the monthly survivor benefit is based on the salary rate in effect for that member's part-time service during the last six months of allowable service.deleted text end If the member's status changed from full time to part time deleted text begin fordeleted text end new text begin due to new text end health reasons during the last deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin 12 months new text end of employment, new text begin notwithstanding the definition of average salary in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, paragraph (c), the average salary used to compute new text end the monthly survivor benefit deleted text begin isdeleted text end new text begin must be new text end based on the full-time salary rate of the position held as a member of the police and fire plan in effect over the last six months of allowable service preceding the month in which the death occurred.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.657, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Death while eligible survivor benefit.

(a) If a member or former member who has attained the age of at least 50 years and either who is vested under section 353.01, subdivision 47, or who has credit for at least 30 years of allowable service, regardless of age attained, dies before the annuity or disability benefit becomes payable, notwithstanding any designation of beneficiary to the contrary, the surviving spouse may elect to receive a death while eligible survivor benefit.

(b) Notwithstanding the definition of surviving spouse in section 353.01, subdivision 20, a former spouse of the member, if any, is entitled to a portion of the death while eligible survivor benefit if stipulated under the terms of a marriage dissolution decree filed with the association. If there is no surviving spouse or child or children, a former spouse may be entitled to a lump-sum refund payment under section 353.32, subdivision 1, if provided for in a marriage dissolution decree but not a death while eligible survivor benefit despite the terms of a marriage dissolution decree filed with the association.

(c) The benefit may be elected instead of a refund with interest under section 353.32, subdivision 1, or surviving spouse benefits otherwise payable under subdivisions 1 and 2. The benefit must be an annuity equal to the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity which the member could have qualified for on the date of death, computed as provided in sections 353.651, deleted text begin subdivisions 2 anddeleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end 3, and 353.30, subdivision 3.

(d) The surviving spouse may apply for the annuity at any time after the date on which the deceased employee would have attained the required age for retirement based on the employee's allowable service. Sections 353.34, subdivision 3, and 353.71, subdivision 2, apply to a deferred annuity payable under this subdivision.

(e) No payment accrues beyond the end of the month in which entitlement to such annuity has terminated. An amount equal to the excess, if any, of the accumulated contributions which were credited to the account of the deceased employee over and above the total of the annuities paid and payable to the surviving spouse must be paid to the deceased member's last designated beneficiary or, if none, to the legal representative of the estate of such deceased member.

(f) Any member may request in writing, with the signed consent of the spouse, that this subdivision not apply and that payment be made only to the designated beneficiary, as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(g) For a member who is employed as a full-time firefighter by the Department of Military Affairs of the state of Minnesota, allowable service as a full-time state Military Affairs Department firefighter credited by the Minnesota State Retirement System may be used in meeting the minimum allowable service requirement of this subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.657, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Dependent children.

new text begin (a) new text end A dependent child, as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 15, is entitled to receive a monthly benefit equal to ten percent of the member's average deleted text begin full-time monthlydeleted text end salary deleted text begin ratedeleted text end new text begin , as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, paragraph (c), new text end as a member of the police and fire plan deleted text begin in effect over the last six months of allowable service preceding the month in which death occurreddeleted text end .

new text begin (b) If the member's status changed from full-time to part-time due to health reasons during the last 12 months of employment, notwithstanding the definition of average salary in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, paragraph (c), the average salary used to compute the monthly dependent child benefit must be based on the full-time salary rate of the position held as a member of the police and fire plan in effect over the last six months of allowable service preceding the month in which the death occurred. new text end

new text begin (c)new text end Payments for the benefit of a dependent child must be made to the surviving parent, or to the legal guardian of the child or to any adult person with whom the child may at the time be living, provided only that the parent or other person to whom any amount is to be paid advises the board in writing that the amount will be held or used in trust for the benefit of the child.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Effective datenew text begin of privatizationnew text end .

"Effective datenew text begin of privatizationnew text end " means the date that the operation of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end medical facility or other public employing unit is assumed by another employer or the date that deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end medical facility or other public employing unit is purchased by another employer and active membership in the Public Employees Retirement Association consequently terminates.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical facility.

"Medical facility" means:

(1) Bridges Medical Services;

(2) Cedarview Care Center in Steele County;

(3) the City of Cannon Falls Hospital;

(4) the Chris Jenson Health and Rehabilitation Center in St. Louis County;

(5) new text begin Cornerstone Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in new text end Clearwater County deleted text begin Memorial Hospital doing business as Clearwater Health Services in Bagleydeleted text end ;

(6) the Dassel Lakeside Community Home;

(7) the Douglas County Hospital, with respect to the Mental Health Unit;

(8) the Fair Oaks Lodge, Wadena;

(9) the Glencoe Area Health Center;

(10) Hutchinson Area Health Care;

new text begin (11) Lake County Sunrise Home; new text end

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end the Lakefield Nursing Home;

deleted text begin (12)deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end the Lakeview Nursing Home in Gaylord;

deleted text begin (13)deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end the Luverne Public Hospital;

deleted text begin (14)deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end the Oakland Park Nursing Home;

deleted text begin (15)deleted text end new text begin (16) new text end the RenVilla Nursing Home;

deleted text begin (16)deleted text end new text begin (17) new text end the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, with respect to the Department of Radiology and the Department of Radiation/Oncology;

deleted text begin (17)deleted text end new text begin (18) new text end the St. Peter Community Health Care Center;

deleted text begin (18)deleted text end new text begin (19) new text end the Traverse Care Center in Traverse County;

deleted text begin (19)deleted text end new text begin (20) new text end the Waconia-Ridgeview Medical Center;

deleted text begin (20)deleted text end new text begin (21) new text end the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc.;

deleted text begin (21)deleted text end new text begin (22) new text end the Wheaton Community Hospital; and

deleted text begin (22)deleted text end new text begin (23) new text end the Worthington Regional Hospital.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment if Minnesota Statutes, section 353F.02, subdivision 4, is not repealed in the 2013 legislative session. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Privatized former public employer. new text end

new text begin "Privatized former public employer" means a medical facility or other employing unit formerly included in the definition of governmental subdivision under section 353.01, subdivision 6, that is privatized and whose employees are certified for participation under this chapter. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.02, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

deleted text begin Terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin Privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee.

deleted text begin "Terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin (a) "Privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee" means a person who:

(1) was employed new text begin by the privatized former public employer new text end on the day before the effective date deleted text begin by the medical facility or other public employing unitdeleted text end new text begin of privatizationnew text end ; or

(2) terminated employment with the deleted text begin medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employer new text end on the day before the effective date; and

(3) was a participant in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association at the time of termination of employment with the deleted text begin medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employernew text end .

new text begin (b) Privatized former public employee does not mean a person who, on the day before the effective date of privatization, was simultaneously employed with the privatized former public employer and by a governmental subdivision under section 353.01, subdivision 6, and who, after the effective date of privatization, continues to accrue service credit under section 353.01, subdivision 16, through simultaneous employment with a governmental subdivision. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.025, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility determination.

(a) The chief clerical officer of a governmental subdivision may submit a resolution from the governing body to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association which supports providing coverage under this chapter for employees of that governmental subdivision who are privatized, and which states that the governing body will pay for actuarial calculations, as further specified in paragraph (c).

(b) The governing body must also provide a copy of any applicable purchase or lease agreement and any other information requested by the executive director to allow the executive director to verify that under the proposed employer change, the new employer does not qualify as a governmental subdivision under section 353.01, subdivision 6, making the employees ineligible for continued coverage as active members of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(c) Following receipt of a resolution and a determination by the executive director that the new employer is not a governmental subdivision, the executive director shall direct the consulting actuary retained under section 356.214 to determine whether the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, if coverage under this chapter is provided, is expected to receive a net gain or a net loss if privatization occurs. A net gain is expected if the actuarial liability of the special benefit coverage provided under this chapter, if extended to the applicable employees under the privatization, is less than the actuarial gain otherwise to accrue to the plan. A net loss is expected if the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage provided under this chapter, if extended to the applicable employees under the privatization, is more than the actuarial gain otherwise to accrue to the plan. The date of the actuarial calculations used to make this determination must be within one year of the effective datedeleted text begin , as defined in section deleted text end deleted text begin 353F.02, subdivision 3deleted text end new text begin of privatizationnew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.025, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Recommendation to legislaturedeleted text end new text begin Reporting privatizationsnew text end .

(a) If the actuarial calculations under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), indicate deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin privatization can be approved because new text end a net gain to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association is expected deleted text begin due to the privatizationdeleted text end , or if paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end applies, the executive director shallnew text begin , following acceptance of the actuarial calculations by the board of trustees, new text end forward deleted text begin a recommendationdeleted text end new text begin notice new text end and supporting documentationnew text begin , including a copy of the actuary's report and findings, new text end to the chair deleted text begin of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, the chair of the Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee of the senate,deleted text end and the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirementnew text begin and the chairs and the ranking minority members of the committees with jurisdiction over governmental operations in the house of representatives and senatenew text end . deleted text begin The recommendation must be in the form of an addition to the definition of "medical facility" under section 353F.02, subdivision 4, or to "other public employing unit" under section 353F.02, subdivision 5, whichever is applicable. The recommendation must be forwarded to the legislature before January 15 for the recommendation to be considered in that year's legislative session. The recommendation may be included as part of public pension administrative legislation under section 356B.05.deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) If a medical facility or other public employing unit listed under section 353F.02, subdivision 4 or 5, fails to privatize within one year of the final enactment date of the legislation adding the entity to the applicable definition, its inclusion under this chapter is voided, and the executive director shall include in the subsequent proposed legislation under paragraph (a) a recommendation that the applicable entity be stricken from the definition. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end If the calculations under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), indicate a net loss, the executive director shall deleted text begin forward a recommendationdeleted text end new text begin recommend to the board of trustees new text end that the privatization be deleted text begin included as an addition under paragraph (a)deleted text end new text begin approved new text end if the chief clerical officer of the applicable governmental subdivision submits a resolution from the governing body specifying that a lump sum payment will be made to the deleted text begin executive directordeleted text end new text begin Public Employees Retirement Association new text end equal to the net loss, plus interest. The interest must be computed using the applicable new text begin ultimate new text end preretirement interest rate assumption under section 356.215, subdivision 8, expressed as a monthly rate, from the date of the actuarial valuation from which the actuarial accrued liability data was used to determine the net loss in the actuarial study under subdivision 1, to the date of payment, with annual compounding. Payment must be made on or after the effective date deleted text begin defined under section 353F.02deleted text end new text begin of privatizationnew text end .

new text begin (c) The Public Employees Retirement Association must maintain a list that includes the names of all privatized former public employers in the association's comprehensive annual financial report and on the association's Web site. Annually by March 1, the association must submit to the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement the names of any privatized former public employers approved since the publication of the previous fiscal year's comprehensive annual financial report. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.03, is amended to read:

353F.03 VESTING RULE FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.

Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 353 to the contrary, a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee is eligible to receive a retirement annuity under section 353.29 of the edition of Minnesota Statutes published in the year before the year in which the privatization occurred, without regard to the requirement specified in section 353.01, subdivision 47.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.04, is amended to read:

353F.04 AUGMENTATION INTEREST RATES FOR deleted text begin TERMINATED MEDICAL OR OTHERdeleted text end new text begin PRIVATIZED FORMER new text end PUBLIC deleted text begin EMPLOYING UNIT FACILITYdeleted text end EMPLOYEES.

Subdivision 1.

Enhanced augmentation rates.

(a) The deferred annuity of a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee is subject to augmentation under section 353.71, subdivision 2, of the edition of Minnesota Statutes published in the year in which the privatization occurred, except that the rate of augmentation is as specified in this subdivision.

(b) This paragraph applies if the deleted text begin legislation adding the medical facility or other employing unit to section 353F.02, subdivision 4 or 5, as applicable,deleted text end new text begin effective date of privatization new text end was deleted text begin enacted before July 26, 2005, and became effective before January 1, 2008, for the Hutchinson Area Health Caredeleted text end new text begin on new text end or before January 1, 2007, deleted text begin for all other medical facilities and all other employing unitsdeleted text end new text begin and also applies to Hutchinson Area Health Care with a privatization effective date of January 1, 2008new text end . For a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee, the augmentation rate is 5.5 percent compounded annually until January 1 following the year in which the person attains age 55. From that date to the effective date of retirement, the augmentation rate is 7.5 percent compounded annually.

(c) If paragraph (b) is not applicable, and if the effective date of the privatization is before January 1, 2011, the augmentation rate is four percent compounded annually until January 1, following the year in which the person attains age 55. From that date to the effective date of retirement, the augmentation rate is six percent compounded annually.

(d) If the effective date of the privatization is after December 31, 2010, the applicable augmentation rate depends on the result of computations specified in section 353F.025, subdivision 1. If those computations indicate no loss or a net gain to the fund of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the augmentation rate is 2.0 percent compounded annually until the effective date of retirement. If the computations under that subdivision indicate a net loss to the fund if a 2.0 percent augmentation rate is used, but a net gain or no loss if a 1.0 percent rate is used, then the augmentation rate is 1.0 percent compounded annually until the effective date of retirement.

deleted text begin (e) The term "effective date of the privatization" as used in this subdivision means the "effective date" as defined in section 353F.02, subdivision 3. deleted text end

Subd. 2.

Exceptions.

The increased augmentation rates specified in subdivision 1 do not apply deleted text begin if the terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin to a privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee:

(1) new text begin beginning the first of the month in which the privatized former public employee new text end becomes covered again by a retirement plan enumerated in section 356.30, subdivision 3new text begin , if the employee continues to be covered and accrues at least six months of credited servicenew text end ; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

new text begin (2) beginning the first of the month after a privatized former public employee terminates service with the successor entity; or new text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3) if the person new text end begins receipt of a retirement annuity while employed by the employer which assumed operations of new text begin or purchased new text end the deleted text begin medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unit or purchased the medical facility or other public employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employernew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.05, is amended to read:

353F.05 AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL ALLOWABLE SERVICE FOR EARLY RETIREMENT PURPOSES.

(a) For the purpose of determining eligibility for early retirement benefits provided under section 353.30, subdivision 1a, of the edition of Minnesota Statutes published in the year before the year in which the privatization occurred, and notwithstanding any provision of chapter 353, to the contrary, the years of allowable service for a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee who transfers employment on the effective date new text begin of privatization new text end and does not apply for a refund of contributions under section 353.34, subdivision 1, of the edition of Minnesota Statutes published in the year before the year in which the privatization occurred, or any similar provision, includes service with the successor employer to the deleted text begin medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employer new text end following the effective date. The successor employer shall provide any reports that the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association may reasonably request to permit calculation of benefits.

(b) To be eligible for early retirement benefits under this section, the individual must separate from service with the successor new text begin to the privatized former public new text end employer deleted text begin to the medical facilitydeleted text end . The deleted text begin terminated eligible individualdeleted text end new text begin privatized former public employeenew text end , or an individual authorized to act on behalf of that deleted text begin individualdeleted text end new text begin employeenew text end , may apply for an annuity following application procedures under section 353.29, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.051, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility.

A deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee who is totally and permanently disabled under Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 353.01, subdivision 19, and who had a medically documented preexisting condition of the disability before the termination of coverage, may apply for a disability benefit.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.052, is amended to read:

353F.052 APPLICATION OF SURVIVING SPOUSE, DEPENDENT CHILD PROVISION.

Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, subdivisions within section 353.32 of the edition of Minnesota Statutes published in the year before the year in which a privatization occurred, applicable to the surviving spouse or dependent children of a former member as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 7a, apply to the survivors of a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin [353F.057] TERMINATION FROM SERVICE REQUIREMENT. new text end

new text begin Upon termination of service from the privatized former public employer or any successor entity after the effective date of privatization, a privatized former public employee must separate from any employment relationship with the privatized former public employer or any successor entity for at least 30 days to qualify to receive a retirement annuity under this chapter. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.06, is amended to read:

353F.06 APPLICATION OF REEMPLOYED ANNUITANT EARNINGS LIMITATIONS.

new text begin If a privatized former public employee satisfies the separation from service requirement in section 353F.057 and thereafter resumes employment with the privatized former public employer or any successor entity or a governmental subdivision under section 353.01, subdivision 6, new text end the reemployed annuitant earnings limitations of section 353.37 apply deleted text begin to any service by a terminated medical facility or other public employing unit employee as an employee of the successor employer to the medical facilitydeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.07, is amended to read:

353F.07 EFFECT ON REFUND.

Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 353 to the contrary, deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employees may receive a refund of employee accumulated contributions plus interest as provided in section 353.34, subdivision 2, at any time after the transfer of employment to the successor employer of the deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employernew text end . If a deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employee has received a refund from a pension plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, the person may not repay that refund unless the person again becomes a member of one of those listed plans and complies with section 356.30, subdivision 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353F.08, is amended to read:

353F.08 COUNSELING SERVICES.

The deleted text begin medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end new text begin employer new text end and the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall provide deleted text begin terminated medical facility or otherdeleted text end new text begin privatized former new text end public deleted text begin employing unitdeleted text end employees with counseling on their benefits available under the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association during deleted text begin the 90 days followingdeleted text end new text begin a period mutually agreed upon before or after the effective date of new text end privatization.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Annual postretirement adjustments; generally.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, or 1e, retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of a covered retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) a postretirement increase of 2.5 percent must be applied each year, effective January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least 12 full months prior to the January 1 increase; and

(2) for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit amount for at least one full month, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of 2.5 percent for each month that the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied, effective on January 1 following the calendar year in which the person has been retired for less than 12 months.

(b) The increases provided by this subdivision commence on January 1, 2010.

(c) An increase in annuity or benefit payments under this section must be made automatically unless written notice is filed by the annuitant or benefit recipient with the executive director of the covered retirement plan requesting that the increase not be made.

deleted text begin (d) The retirement annuity payable to a person who retires before becoming eligible for Social Security benefits and who has elected the optional payment as provided in section 353.29, subdivision 6, must be treated as the sum of a period certain retirement annuity and a life retirement annuity for the purposes of any postretirement adjustment. The period certain retirement annuity plus the life retirement annuity must be the annuity amount payable until age 62 for section 353.29, subdivision 6. A postretirement adjustment granted on the period certain retirement annuity must terminate when the period certain retirement annuity terminates. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2014. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Annual postretirement adjustments; PERA; general employees retirement plan and local government correctional retirement plan.

(a) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and the local government correctional service retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) for January 1, 2011, and each successive January 1 until funding stability is restored for the applicable retirement plan, a postretirement increase of one percent must be applied each year, effective on January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit amount of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30;

(2) for January 1, 2011, and each successive January 1 until funding stability is restored for the applicable retirement plan, for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of one percent for each month the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied;

(3) for each January 1 following the restoration of funding stability for the applicable retirement plan, a postretirement increase of 2.5 percent must be applied each year, effective January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit amount of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30; and

(4) for each January 1 following restoration of funding stability for the applicable retirement plan, for each annuity or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of 2.5 percent for each month the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied.

(b) Funding stability is restored when the market value of assets of the applicable retirement plan equals or exceeds 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liabilities of the applicable plan in the most recent prior actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work by the approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association under section 356.214.

(c) If, after applying the increase as provided for in paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), the market value of the applicable retirement plan is determined in the next subsequent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 to be less than 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liability of any of the applicable Public Employees Retirement Association plans, the increase provided in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), are to be applied as of the next successive January until funding stability is again restored.

(d) An increase in annuity or benefit payments under this section must be made automatically unless written notice is filed by the annuitant or benefit recipient with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association requesting that the increase not be made.

deleted text begin (e) The retirement annuity payable to a person who retires before becoming eligible for Social Security benefits and who has elected the optional payment, as provided in section 353.29, subdivision 6, must be treated as the sum of a period-certain retirement annuity and a life retirement annuity for the purposes of any postretirement adjustment. The period-certain retirement annuity plus the life retirement annuity must be the annuity amount payable until age 62 for section 353.29, subdivision 6. A postretirement adjustment granted on the period-certain retirement annuity must terminate when the period-certain retirement annuity terminates. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2014. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.635, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Retirement benefit commencement.

new text begin (a) new text end The retirement benefit of a member who has terminated employment must begin no later than the later of April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year that the member attains the federal minimum distribution age under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code or April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the member terminated employment.

new text begin (b) The consent requirements of section 411(a)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code do not apply to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 31.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 353F.02, subdivisions 4 and 5; and 353F.025, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.29, subdivision 6, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (a) is effective the day following final enactment. Paragraph (b) is effective January 1, 2014. new text end

ARTICLE 4

BENEFIT ACCRUAL RATE SPECIFICATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.115, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Retirement annuity formula.

(a) This paragraph, in conjunction with section 352.116, subdivision 1, applies to a person who became a covered employee or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (b), in conjunction with section 352.116, subdivision 1a, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (b) deleted text begin will applydeleted text end new text begin appliesnew text end . The employee's average salary, as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 14a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1,deleted text end per year of allowable service for the first ten years and deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each later year of allowable service and pro rata for completed months less than a full year deleted text begin shall determinedeleted text end new text begin determines new text end the amount of the retirement annuity to which the employee is entitled.

(b) This paragraph applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and first became a covered employee after June 30, 1989, and to any other covered employee who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with section 352.116, subdivision 1a, is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (a), in conjunction with section 352.116, subdivision 1. The employee's average salary, as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 14a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each year of allowable service and pro rata for months less than a full year deleted text begin shall determinedeleted text end new text begin determines new text end the amount of the retirement annuity to which the employee is entitled.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.87, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Retirement annuity formula.

A person specified in subdivision 1 is entitled to receive a retirement annuity applicable for allowable service credit under this section calculated by multiplying the employee's average salary, as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 14a, by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.0 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2a,deleted text end for each year or portions of a year of allowable service credit. No reduction for retirement before the normal retirement age, as specified in section 352.01, subdivision 25, applies to service to which this section applies.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.93, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Calculating monthly annuity.

The monthly annuity under this section must be determined by multiplying the average monthly salary by the number of years, or completed months, of covered correctional service by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.4 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5deleted text end new text begin if employed as a correctional state employee before July 1, 2010, or 2.2 percent if employed as a correctional state employee after June 30, 2010new text end .

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.95, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duty disability; computation of benefit.

A covered correctional employee who is determined to have a duty disability, physical or psychological, as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 17b, is entitled to a duty disability benefit. The duty disability benefit must be based on covered correctional service only. The duty disability benefit amount is 50 percent of the average salary defined in section 352.93, plus an additional new text begin 2.4 new text end percent deleted text begin equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5,deleted text end new text begin if employed as a correctional state employee before July 1, 2010, or 2.2 percent if employed as a correctional state employee after June 30, 2010,new text end for each year of covered correctional service in excess of 20 years, ten months, prorated for completed months.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Normal retirement annuity.

The annuity must be paid in monthly installments. The annuity deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end equal to the amount determined by multiplying the average monthly salary of the member by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 3.0 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end for each year and pro rata for completed months of service.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duty disability.

A member who is determined to qualify for duty disability as defined in section 352B.011, subdivision 7, is entitled to receive a duty disability benefit while disabled. The benefits must be paid monthly. The duty disability benefit is an amount equal to the member's average monthly salary multiplied by 60 percent, plus an additional new text begin 3.0 new text end percent deleted text begin equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end for each year and pro rata for completed months of service in excess of 20 years, if any.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.29, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Retirement annuity formula.

(a) This paragraph, in conjunction with section 353.30, subdivisions 1a, 1b, and 1c, applies to any member who first became a public employee or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (b), in conjunction with section 353.30, subdivision 5, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (b) deleted text begin will applydeleted text end new text begin appliesnew text end . The average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.2 new text end percent specified in deleted text begin section 356.315, subdivision 3,deleted text end for each year of allowable service for the first ten years and thereafter by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end per year of allowable service and completed months less than a full year for a basic member, and deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1,deleted text end for each year of allowable service for the first ten years and thereafter by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end per year of allowable service and completed months less than a full year for a coordinated member deleted text begin shall determinedeleted text end new text begin determines new text end the amount of the normal retirement annuity.

(b) This paragraph applies to a member who has become at least 55 years old and first became a public employee after June 30, 1989, and to any other member whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with section 353.30, subdivision 5, is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (a), in conjunction with section 353.30, subdivisions 1a, 1b, and 1c. The average salary, as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end for each year of allowable service and completed months less than a full year for a basic member and deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end per year of allowable service and completed months less than a full year for a coordinated member, deleted text begin shall determinedeleted text end new text begin determines new text end the amount of the normal retirement annuity.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.651, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Retirement annuity formula.

The average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 3.0 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end per year of allowable service determines the amount of the normal retirement annuity. If the member has earned allowable service for performing services other than those of a police officer or firefighter, the annuity representing that service must be computed under sections 353.29 and 353.30.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.656, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duty disability; computation of benefits.

(a) A member of the police and fire plan, other than a firefighter covered by section 353.6511, or a police officer covered by section 353.6512, who is determined to qualify for duty disability as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 41, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin is entitled to new text end receive disability benefits during the period of such disability in an amount equal to 60 percent of the average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, plus an additional deleted text begin percentage specified under section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end new text begin 3.0 percent new text end of that average salary for each year of service in excess of 20 years.

(b) To be eligible for a benefit under paragraph (a), the member must have:

(1) not met the requirements for a retirement annuity under section 353.651, subdivision 1; or

(2) met the requirements under that subdivision, but does not have at least 20 years of allowable service credit.

(c) If paragraph (b), clause (2), applies, the disability benefit must be paid for a period of 60 months from the disability benefit accrual date and at the end of that period is subject to provisions of subdivision 5a.

(d) If the disability under this subdivision occurs before the member has at least five years of allowable service credit in the police and fire plan, the disability benefit must be computed on the average salary from which deductions were made for contribution to the police and fire fund.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.656, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Total and permanent duty disability; computation of benefits.

(a) A member of the police and fire plan, other than a firefighter covered by section 353.6511, or a police officer covered by section 353.6512, whose disabling condition is determined to be a duty disability that is also a permanent and total disability as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 19, is entitled to receive, for life, disability benefits in an amount equal to 60 percent of the average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, plus an additional new text begin 3.0 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end of that average salary for each year of service in excess of 20 years.

(b) A disability benefit payable under paragraph (a) is subject to eligibility review under section 353.33, subdivision 6, but the review may be waived if the executive director receives a written statement from the association's medical advisor that no improvement can be expected in the member's disabling condition that was the basis for payment of the benefit under paragraph (a). A member receiving a disability benefit under this subdivision who is found to no longer be permanently and totally disabled as defined under section 353.01, subdivision 19, but continues to meet the definition for receipt of a duty disability under section 353.01, subdivision 41, is subject to subdivision 1 upon written notice from the association's medical advisor that the person is no longer considered permanently and totally disabled.

(c) If a member approved for disability benefits under this subdivision dies before attaining normal retirement age as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 37, paragraph (b), or within 60 months of the effective date of the disability, whichever is later, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive a survivor benefit under section 353.657, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1), if the death is the direct result of the disabling condition for which disability benefits were approved, or section 353.657, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2), if the death is not directly related to the disabling condition for which benefits were approved under this subdivision.

(d) If the election of an actuarial equivalent optional annuity is not made at the time the permanent and total disability benefit accrues, an election must be made within 90 days before the member attains normal retirement age as defined under section 353.01, subdivision 37, paragraph (b), or having collected total and permanent disability benefits for 60 months, whichever is later. If a member receiving disability benefits who has dependent children dies, subdivision 6a, paragraph (c), applies.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.656, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Total and permanent regular disability; computation of benefits.

(a) A member of the police and fire plan, other than a firefighter covered by section 353.6511, or a police officer covered by section 353.6512, whose disabling condition is determined to be a regular disability under section 353.01, subdivision 46, that is also a permanent and total disability as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 19, is entitled to receive, for life, a disability benefit in an amount equal to 45 percent of the average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, plus an additional new text begin 3.0 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end of that average salary for each year of service in excess of 15 years.

(b) A disability benefit payable under paragraph (a) is subject to eligibility review under section 353.33, subdivision 6, but the review may be waived if the executive director receives a written statement from the association's medical advisor that no improvement can be expected in the member's disabling condition that was the basis for payment of the benefit under paragraph (a). A member receiving a disability benefit under this subdivision who is found to no longer be permanently and totally disabled as defined under section 353.01, subdivision 19, but continues to meet the definition for receipt of a regular disability under section 353.01, subdivision 46, is subject to subdivision 3 upon written notice from the association's medical advisor that the person is no longer considered permanently and totally disabled.

(c) A member approved for disability benefits under this subdivision may elect to receive a normal disability benefit or an actuarial equivalent optional annuity. If the election of an actuarial equivalent optional annuity is not made at the time the total and permanent disability benefit accrues, an election must be made within 90 days before the member attains normal retirement age as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 37, paragraph (b), or having collected disability benefits for 60 months, whichever is later. No surviving spouse benefits are payable if the member dies during the period in which a normal total and permanent disability benefit is being paid. If a member receiving disability benefits who has dependent children dies, subdivision 6a, paragraph (c), applies.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353E.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Annuity amount.

new text begin (a) new text end The average salary as defined in subdivision 2, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.9 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5a,deleted text end for each year of allowable service, determines the amount of the normal retirement annuity.

new text begin (b)new text end If a person has earned allowable service in the new text begin general employees retirement plan of the new text end Public Employees Retirement Association or the public employees police and fire deleted text begin fund prior todeleted text end new text begin retirement plan before new text end participation under this chapter, the retirement annuity representing such service must be computed in accordance with the formula specified in sections 353.29 and 353.30 or 353.651, whichever applies.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353E.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duty disability qualification requirements.

A local government correctional employee who is determined to qualify for a duty disability as defined in section 353E.001, subdivision 1, is entitled to a disability benefit. The disability benefit must be based on covered service under this chapter only and is an amount equal to 47.5 percent of the average salary defined in section 353E.04, subdivision 2, plus an additional new text begin 1.9 new text end percent deleted text begin equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5a,deleted text end for each year of covered service under this chapter in excess of 25 years.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 354.44, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Computation of formula program retirement annuity.

(a) The formula retirement annuity must be computed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the formulas stated in paragraph (b) or (d) on the basis of each member's average salary under section 354.05, subdivision 13a, for the period of the member's formula service credit.

(b) This paragraph, in conjunction with paragraph (c), applies to a person who first became a member of the association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with paragraph (e), produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) applies. The average salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the following percentages per year of formula service credit shall determine the amount of the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled for service rendered before July 1, 2006:

Coordinated Member Basic Member
Each year of service during first ten deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1,deleted text end per year deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 3,deleted text end per year
Each year of service thereafter deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end per year deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end per year

For service rendered on or after July 1, 2006, the average salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the following percentages per year of service credit, determines the amount the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled:

Coordinated Member Basic Member
Each year of service during first ten deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.4 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1a,deleted text end per year deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 3,deleted text end per year
Each year of service after ten years of service deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.9 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2b,deleted text end per year deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end per year

(c)(i) This paragraph applies only to a person who first became a member of the association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, and whose annuity is higher when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with this paragraph than when calculated under paragraph (d), in conjunction with paragraph (e).

(ii) Where any member retires prior to normal retirement age under a formula annuity, the member shall be paid a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal annuity provided in paragraph (b) reduced by one-quarter of one percent for each month that the member is under normal retirement age at the time of retirement except that for any member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the reduction shall be applied only for each month that the member is under age 62.

(iii) Any member whose attained age plus credited allowable service totals 90 years is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal annuity provided in paragraph (b), without any reduction by reason of early retirement.

(d) This paragraph applies to a member who has become at least 55 years old and first became a member of the association after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with paragraph (e), is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with paragraph (c). For a basic member, the average salary, as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified by section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end for each year of service for a basic member deleted text begin shall determinedeleted text end new text begin determines new text end the amount of the retirement annuity to which the basic member is entitled. The annuity of a basic member who was a member of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association as of June 30, 2006, must be determined according to the annuity formula under the articles of incorporation of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association in effect as of that date. For a coordinated member, the average salary, as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each year of service rendered before July 1, 2006, and by deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.9 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2b,deleted text end for each year of service rendered on or after July 1, 2006, determines the amount of the retirement annuity to which the coordinated member is entitled.

(e) This paragraph applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and first becomes a member of the association after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity is higher when calculated under paragraph (d) in conjunction with this paragraph than when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with paragraph (c). An employee who retires under the formula annuity before the normal retirement age shall be paid the normal annuity provided in paragraph (d) reduced so that the reduced annuity is the actuarial equivalent of the annuity that would be payable to the employee if the employee deferred receipt of the annuity and the annuity amount were augmented at an annual rate of three percent compounded annually from the day the annuity begins to accrue until the normal retirement age if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually if the employee becomes an employee after June 30, 2006.

(f) No retirement annuity is payable to a former employee with a salary that exceeds 95 percent of the governor's salary unless and until the salary figures used in computing the highest five successive years average salary under paragraph (a) have been audited by the Teachers Retirement Association and determined by the executive director to comply with the requirements and limitations of section 354.05, subdivisions 35 and 35a.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 354A.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Computation of normal coordinated retirement annuity; St. Paul fund.

(a) This subdivision applies to the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(b) The normal coordinated retirement annuity is an amount equal to a retiring coordinated member's average salary under section 354A.011, subdivision 7a, multiplied by the retirement annuity formula percentage.

(c) This paragraph, in conjunction with subdivision 6, applies to a person who first became a member or a member in a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with subdivision 7, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) will apply. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1,deleted text end per year for each year of coordinated service for the first ten years and deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each year of coordinated service thereafter.

(d) This paragraph applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and who first becomes a member after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with subdivision 7 is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (c), in conjunction with the provisions of subdivision 6. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each year of coordinated service.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 354A.31, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

Computation of normal coordinated retirement annuity; Duluth fund.

(a) This subdivision applies to the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(b) The normal coordinated retirement annuity is an amount equal to a retiring coordinated member's average salary under section 354A.011, subdivision 7a, multiplied by the retirement annuity formula percentage.

(c) This paragraph, in conjunction with subdivision 6, applies to a person who first became a member or a member in a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with subdivision 7, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) applies. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1,deleted text end per year for each year of coordinated service for the first ten years and deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each subsequent year of coordinated service.

(d) This paragraph applies to a person who is at least 55 years old and who first becomes a member after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who is at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with subdivision 7, is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (c) in conjunction with subdivision 6. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 1.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2,deleted text end for each year of coordinated service.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility; computation of annuity.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of the laws governing the retirement plans enumerated in subdivision 3, a person who has met the qualifications of paragraph (b) may elect to receive a retirement annuity from each enumerated retirement plan in which the person has at least one-half year of allowable service, based on the allowable service in each plan, subject to the provisions of paragraph (c).

(b) A person may receive, upon retirement, a retirement annuity from each enumerated retirement plan in which the person has at least one-half year of allowable service, and augmentation of a deferred annuity calculated at the appropriate rate under the laws governing each public pension plan or fund named in subdivision 3, based on the date of the person's initial entry into public employment from the date the person terminated all public service if:

(1) the person has allowable service in any two or more of the enumerated plans;

(2) the person has sufficient allowable service in total that equals or exceeds the applicable service credit vesting requirement of the retirement plan with the longest applicable service credit vesting requirement; and

(3) the person has not begun to receive an annuity from any enumerated plan or the person has made application for benefits from each applicable plan and the effective dates of the retirement annuity with each plan under which the person chooses to receive an annuity are within a one-year period.

(c) The retirement annuity from each plan must be based upon the allowable service, accrual rates, and average salary in the applicable plan except as further specified or modified in the following clauses:

(1) the laws governing annuities must be the law in effect on the date of termination from the last period of public service under a covered retirement plan with which the person earned a minimum of one-half year of allowable service credit during that employment;

(2) the "average salary" on which the annuity from each covered plan in which the employee has credit in a formula plan must be based on the employee's highest five successive years of covered salary during the entire service in covered plans;

(3) the accrual rates to be used by each plan must be those percentages prescribed by each plan's formula as continued for the respective years of allowable service from one plan to the next, recognizing all previous allowable service with the other covered plans;

(4) the allowable service in all the plans must be combined in determining eligibility for and the application of each plan's provisions in respect to reduction in the annuity amount for retirement prior to normal retirement age; and

(5) the annuity amount payable for any allowable service under a nonformula plan of a covered plan must not be affected, but such service and covered salary must be used in the above calculation.

(d) This section does not apply to any person whose final termination from the last public service under a covered plan was before May 1, 1975.

(e) For the purpose of computing annuities under this section, the accrual rates used by any covered plan, except the public employees police and fire plan, the judges retirement fund, and the State Patrol retirement plan, must not exceed deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 4,deleted text end per year of service for any year of service or fraction thereof. The formula percentage used by the judges retirement fund must not exceed deleted text begin the percentage rate specified in section 356.315, subdivision 8,deleted text end new text begin 3.2 percent new text end per year of service for any year of service or fraction thereof. The accrual rate used by the public employees police and fire plan and the State Patrol retirement plan must not exceed deleted text begin the percentage rate specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6,deleted text end new text begin 3.0 percent new text end per year of service for any year of service or fraction thereof. The accrual rate or rates used by the legislators retirement plan must not exceed 2.5 percent, but this limit does not apply to the adjustment provided under section 3A.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(f) Any period of time for which a person has credit in more than one of the covered plans must be used only once for the purpose of determining total allowable service.

(g) If the period of duplicated service credit is more than one-half year, or the person has credit for more than one-half year, with each of the plans, each plan must apply its formula to a prorated service credit for the period of duplicated service based on a fraction of the salary on which deductions were paid to that fund for the period divided by the total salary on which deductions were paid to all plans for the period.

(h) If the period of duplicated service credit is less than one-half year, or when added to other service credit with that plan is less than one-half year, the service credit must be ignored and a refund of contributions made to the person in accord with that plan's refund provisions.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.315, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Future benefit accrual rate increases.

After January 2, 1998, benefit accrual rate increases under deleted text begin this sectiondeleted text end new text begin 352.115, subdivision 3; 352.87, subdivision 3; 352.93, subdivision 3; 352.95, subdivision 1; 352B.08, subdivision 2; 352B.10, subdivision 1; 353.29, subdivision 3; 353.651, subdivision 3; 353.656, subdivision 1, 1a, or 3a; 353E.04, subdivision 3; 353E.06, subdivision 1; 354.44, subdivision 6; 354A.31, subdivision 4 or 4a; 356.30, subdivision 1; 490.121, subdivision 22; or 490.124, subdivision 1, new text end must apply only to allowable service or formula service rendered after the effective date of the benefit accrual rate increase.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 490.121, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

Subd. 22.

Service credit limit.

"Service credit limit" means the greater of: (1) 24 years of allowable service under this chapter; or (2) for judges with allowable service rendered before July 1, 1980, the number of years of allowable service under chapter 490, which, when multiplied by the percentage deleted text begin listed in section 356.315, subdivision 7deleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end or deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 3.2new text end , whichever is applicable to each year of service, equals 76.8.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 490.124, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Basic retirement annuity.

(a) Except as qualified hereinafter from and after the mandatory retirement date, the normal retirement date, the early retirement date, or one year from the disability retirement date, as the case may be, a retiring judge is eligible to receive a retirement annuity from the judges' retirement fund.

(b) The retirement annuity is an amount equal to: (1) deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 2.7 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 7,deleted text end multiplied by the judge's final average compensation with that result then multiplied by the number of years and fractions of years of allowable service rendered before July 1, 1980; plus (2) deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin 3.2 new text end percent deleted text begin specified in section 356.315, subdivision 8,deleted text end multiplied by the judge's final average compensation with that result then multiplied by the number of years and fractions of years of allowable service rendered after June 30, 1980.

(c) Service that exceeds the service credit limit in section 490.121, subdivision 22, must be excluded in calculating the retirement annuity, but the compensation earned by the judge during this period of judicial service must be used in determining a judge's final average compensation and calculating the retirement annuity.

Sec. 21.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.315, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, 5a, 6, 7, and 8, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 21 are effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 5

REVISIONS AND REPEALS OF FORMER LOCAL POLICE AND PAID FIREFIGHTER RELIEF ASSOCIATION LAWS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 6.495, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Audit and examinations.

All powers and duties conferred and imposed upon the state auditor with respect to state, county, and first-class city officers, institutions, and property are hereby extended to the various fire deleted text begin and policedeleted text end relief associations in the state. The state auditor shall annually audit the special and general funds of the relief association or, at the request of the board of trustees or the municipality, the state auditor may contract for an annual audit by a certified public accountant. The state auditor may determine that an annual audit is not necessary, in which case the state auditor shall develop a plan for examination of unaudited relief associations, and shall prescribe suitable systems of accounts and budgeting, and forms, books, and instructions concerning the same.

Copies of the written report of the state auditor on the financial condition and accounts of the relief association deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be filed with the board of trustees of the relief association and the governing body of the municipality associated with the relief association. If the report discloses malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance with regard to relief association funds, copies thereof deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be filed with the city attorney or county attorney in the city or county in which the relief association is located, and these officials of the law shall institute proceedings, civil or criminal, as the law and public interest require.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 6.495, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Report to commissioner of revenue.

The state auditor shall file with the commissioner of revenue a financial compliance report certifying for each relief association:

(1) the completion of the annual financial report required deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.051 and the auditing or certification of those financial reports deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end subdivision 1; and

(2) the receipt of any actuarial valuations required deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section deleted text begin 69.77 ordeleted text end 69.773new text begin or sections 31 to 42new text end .

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 6.67, is amended to read:

6.67 PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS; REPORT OF POSSIBLE MISCONDUCT.

Whenever a public accountant in the course of auditing the books and affairs of a political subdivision or a local public pension plan governed by deleted text begin section 69.77,deleted text end sections 69.771 to 69.775, or chapter 354A or 424A, new text begin or sections 31 to 42, new text end discovers evidence pointing to nonfeasance, misfeasance, or malfeasance, on the part of an officer or employee in the conduct of duties and affairs, the public accountant shall promptly make a report of such discovery to the state auditor and the county attorney of the county in which the governmental unit is situated and the public accountant shall also furnish a copy of the report of audit upon completion to said officers. The county attorney shall act on such report in the same manner as required by law for reports made to the county attorney by the state auditor.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 13D.01, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

In executive branch, local government.

All meetings, including executive sessions, must be open to the public

(a) of a state

(1) agency,

(2) board,

(3) commission, or

(4) department,

when required or permitted by law to transact public business in a meeting;

(b) of the governing body of a

(1) school district however organized,

(2) unorganized territory,

(3) county,

(4) statutory or home rule charter city,

(5) town, or

(6) other public body;

(c) of any

(1) committee,

(2) subcommittee,

(3) board,

(4) department, or

(5) commission,

of a public body; and

(d) of the governing body or a committee of:

(1) a statewide public pension plan defined in section 356A.01, subdivision 24; or

(2) a local public pension plan governed by deleted text begin section 69.77,deleted text end sections 69.771 to 69.775, or chapter 354Anew text begin , or sections 31 to 42new text end .

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.011, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the following words and terms, for the purposes of this chapter and chapters 423, 423A, 424 and 424A, have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue.

(b) "Municipality" means:

(1) a home rule charter or statutory city;

(2) an organized town;

(3) a park district subject to chapter 398;

(4) the University of Minnesota;

(5) for purposes of the fire state aid program only, an American Indian tribal government entity located within a federally recognized American Indian reservation;

(6) for purposes of the police state aid program only, an American Indian tribal government with a tribal police department which exercises state arrest powers under section 626.90, 626.91, 626.92, or 626.93;

(7) for purposes of the police state aid program only, the Metropolitan Airports Commission; and

(8) for purposes of the police state aid program only, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Safety with respect to peace officers covered under chapter 352B.

(c) "Minnesota Firetown Premium Report" means a form prescribed by the commissioner containing space for reporting by insurers of fire, lightning, sprinkler leakage and extended coverage premiums received upon risks located or to be performed in this state less return premiums and dividends.

(d) "Firetown" means the area serviced by any municipality having a qualified fire department or a qualified incorporated fire department having a subsidiary volunteer firefighters' relief association.

(e) "Market value" means latest available market value of all property in a taxing jurisdiction, whether the property is subject to taxation, or exempt from ad valorem taxation obtained from information which appears on abstracts filed with the commissioner of revenue or equalized by the State Board of Equalization.

(f) "Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report" means a form prescribed by the commissioner for reporting by each fire and casualty insurer of all premiums received upon direct business received by it in this state, or by its agents for it, in cash or otherwise, during the preceding calendar year, with reference to insurance written for insuring against the perils contained in auto insurance coverages as reported in the Minnesota business schedule of the annual financial statement which each insurer is required to file with the commissioner in accordance with the governing laws or rules less return premiums and dividends.

(g) "Peace officer" means any person:

(1) whose primary source of income derived from wages is from direct employment by a municipality or county as a law enforcement officer on a full-time basis of not less than 30 hours per week;

(2) who has been employed for a minimum of six months prior to December 31 preceding the date of the current year's certification under subdivision 2, clause (b);

(3) who is sworn to enforce the general criminal laws of the state and local ordinances;

(4) who is licensed by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board and is authorized to arrest with a warrant; and

(5) who is a member of the State Patrol retirement plan or the public employees police and fire fund.

(h) "Full-time equivalent number of peace officers providing contract service" means the integral or fractional number of peace officers which would be necessary to provide the contract service if all peace officers providing service were employed on a full-time basis as defined by the employing unit and the municipality receiving the contract service.

(i) "Retirement benefits other than a service pension" means any disbursement authorized under section 424A.05, subdivision 3, clauses (3) and (4).

(j) "Municipal clerk, municipal clerk-treasurer, or county auditor" means:

(1) for the police state aid program deleted text begin and police relief association financial reportsdeleted text end :

(i) the person who was elected or appointed to the specified position or, in the absence of the person, another person who is designated by the applicable governing body;

(ii) in a park district, the secretary of the board of park district commissioners;

(iii) in the case of the University of Minnesota, the official designated by the Board of Regents;

(iv) for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the person designated by the commission;

(v) for the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Public Safety, the respective commissioner;

(vi) for a tribal police department which exercises state arrest powers under section 626.90, 626.91, 626.92, or 626.93, the person designated by the applicable American Indian tribal government; and

(2) for the fire state aid program and fire relief association financial reports, the person who was elected or appointed to the specified position, or, for governmental entities other than counties, if the governing body of the governmental entity designates the position to perform the function, the chief financial official of the governmental entity or the chief administrative official of the governmental entity.

(k) "Voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan" means the retirement plan established by chapter 353G.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.011, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Qualification for fire or police state aid.

(a) Unless retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, in order to qualify to receive fire state aid, on or before March 15 annually, in conjunction with the financial report required pursuant to section 69.051, the clerk of each municipality having a duly organized fire department as provided in subdivision 4, or the secretary of each independent nonprofit firefighting corporation having a subsidiary incorporated firefighters' relief associationnew text begin ,new text end whichever is applicable, and the fire chief, shall jointly certify the existence of the municipal fire department or of the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever is applicable, which meets the minimum qualification requirements set forth in this subdivision, and the fire personnel and equipment of the municipal fire department or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation as of the preceding December 31.

(b) Where retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, new text begin in order to qualify to receive fire state aid, on or before March 15, annually, new text end the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall certify the existence of that coverage for each municipality and the municipal clerk or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation secretary, whichever applies, and the applicable fire chief shall certify the fire personnel and fire department equipment as of the preceding December 31.

deleted text begin (c) Certification must be made to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall include any other facts the commissioner may require. The certification must be made to the commissioner in duplicate. Each copy of the certificate must be duly executed and is deemed to be an original. The commissioner shall forward one copy to the auditor of the county wherein the fire department is located and shall retain one copy. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) On or before March 15 annually the clerk of each municipality having a duly organized police department and having a duly incorporated relief association shall certify that fact to the county auditor of the county where the police department is located and to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner together with the other facts the commissioner or auditor may require. deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Except as provided in subdivision 2b, on or before March 15 annually, new text begin in order to qualify to receive police state aid, new text end the clerk of each municipality and the auditor of each county employing one or more peace officers as defined in subdivision 1, clause (g), shall certify the number of such peace officers to the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner. Credit for officers employed less than a full year must be apportioned. Each full month of employment of a qualifying officer during the calendar year entitles the employing municipality or county to credit for 1/12 of the payment for employment of a peace officer for the entire year. For purposes of sections 69.011 to 69.051, employment of a peace officer commences when the peace officer is entered on the payroll of the respective municipal police department or county sheriff's department. No peace officer may be included in the certification of the number of peace officers by more than one deleted text begin municipality or countydeleted text end new text begin employing unit new text end for the same month.

new text begin (d) A certification made under this subdivision must be filed with the commissioner, must be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner, and must include any other facts that the commissioner requires. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.011, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Failure to file certificate deemed waiver.

new text begin (a) new text end If a certification required by this section is not filed with the commissioner by the due date prescribed by this section, the commissioner shall notify the new text begin county, the new text end municipalitynew text begin ,new text end or the nonprofit firefighting corporation that a portion or all of its current year aid will be forfeited if the certification is not received within ten days.

new text begin (b)new text end The amount of aid forfeited is equal to the amount of state police aid or state fire aid determined for the new text begin county, the new text end municipalitynew text begin ,new text end or new text begin the nonprofit new text end firefighting corporation for the current year, multiplied by five percent for each week or fraction of a week that this certification is late. The penalty deleted text begin willdeleted text end new text begin must new text end be computed beginning ten days after the postmark date of the commissioner's notification as required under this subdivision. All forfeited aid amounts revert to the general fund in the state treasury. Failure to receive the certificate form deleted text begin cannotdeleted text end new text begin may not new text end be used as a defense for deleted text begin not filingdeleted text end new text begin a failure to filenew text end .

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.011, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Qualification for new text begin fire new text end state aid.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin (a) A new text end municipality in this state new text begin qualifies to receive fire state aid if it meets the general requirements of paragraph (b) and if it meets the specific requirements of paragraph (c).new text end

new text begin (b) Minimum qualifications for fire state aid include the following: new text end

new text begin (1) new text end having for more than one year an organized fire department and officially established by the governing body of the municipality or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation created under the nonprofit corporation act of this state and operating exclusively for firefighting purposes and providing retirement and relief benefits to its membersdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (2)new text end having a separate subsidiary incorporated firefighter's relief deleted text begin and pensiondeleted text end association providing retirement and relief benefits, or participating in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plandeleted text begin , may qualify to receive state aid if it meets the followingdeleted text end new text begin or, if a paid fire department, having retirement coverage by the public employees police and fire retirement plan.new text end

new text begin (c) new text end Minimum requirements new text begin for fire state aid also include the following new text end or new text begin their new text end equivalent as determined by the state fire marshal deleted text begin by July 1, 1972deleted text end :

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (1) having new text end ten paid or volunteer firefighters including a fire chief and assistant fire chiefdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2) having new text end regular scheduled meetings and frequent drills including instructions in firefighting tactics and in the use, care, and operation of all fire apparatus and equipmentdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (3) having new text end a motorized fire truck equipped with a motorized pump, 250 gallon or larger water tank, 300 feet of one inch or larger fire hose in two lines with combination spray and straight stream nozzles, five-gallon hand pumps--tank extinguisher or equivalent, dry chemical extinguisher or equivalent, ladders, extension ladders, pike poles, crow bars, axes, lanterns, fire coats, helmets, new text begin and new text end bootsdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (4) having new text end apparatus suitably housed in a building of good construction with facilities for care of hose and equipmentdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (5) having new text end a reliable and adequate method of receiving fire alarms by telephone or with electric siren and suitable means of sounding an alarmdeleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end if response is to be provided outside the corporate limits of the municipality wherein the fire department is located, deleted text begin the municipality hasdeleted text end new text begin having new text end another piece of motorized apparatus to make the responsedeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end and

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (7) meeting new text end other requirements new text begin that new text end the commissioner establishes by rule.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Minnesota Firetown Premium Report and Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report.

The commissioner shall, at the time of mailing tax forms, send blank copies of the Minnesota Firetown Premium Report and when applicable the Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report to each insurer, including township and farmers mutual insurance companies licensed to write insurance as described in section 69.011, subdivision 1, clauses (c) and (f) in this state. These reports deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end contain space for the insurers name, address, gross premiums less return premiums, dividends, net premiums, certification and other facts new text begin that new text end the commissioner may require.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Report of premiums.

new text begin (a) new text end Each insurer, including township and farmers mutual insurers where applicable, shall return to the commissioner the reports described in subdivision 1 certified by its secretary and president or chief financial officer.

new text begin (b)new text end The Minnesota Firetown Premium Report deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end contain a true and accurate statement of the total premium for all gross direct fire, lightning, sprinkler leakage, and extended coverage insurance of all domestic mutual insurers and the total premiums for all gross direct fire, lightning, sprinkler leakage and extended coverage insurance of all other insurers, less return premiums and dividends received by them on that business written or done during the preceding calendar year upon property located within the state or brought into the state for temporary use. The fire and extended coverage portion of multiperil and multiple peril package premiums and all other combination premiums deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be determined by applying percentages determined by the commissioner or by rating bureaus recognized by the commissioner.

new text begin (c)new text end The Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end contain a true and accurate statement of the total premiums, less return premiums and dividends, on all direct business received by such insurer in this state, or by its agents for it, in cash or otherwise, during the preceding calendar year, with reference to insurance written for perils described in section 69.011, subdivision 1, clause (f).

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Penalty for fraudulent, incorrect, incomplete returns and late filing of report.

(a) When it appears to the commissioner that any insurer has made an incomplete or inaccurate reportnew text begin ,new text end the commissioner shall return the report and demand that a complete and accurate report be filed. If the insurer fails to file a report on or before March 1, annually, the insurer deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end liable and shall pay $25 for each seven days deleted text begin delinquentdeleted text end new text begin ,new text end or fraction thereofnew text begin , that the report is delinquent, butnew text end not to exceed $200. If the insurer fails to file a corrected report within 30 days after demand, the insurer is liable for the penalties provided in deleted text begin this subdivisiondeleted text end new text begin paragraph (b) or (c) new text end for knowingly filing an inaccurate or false report.

(b) Any insurer deleted text begin whodeleted text end new text begin which new text end knowingly makes and files an inaccurate or false report deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end liable to a fine new text begin in an amount new text end of not less than $25 nor more than $1,000new text begin , as determined by the commissioner,new text end and new text begin additionally new text end the commissioner of commerce may revoke the insurer's certificate of authority.

(c) Any person whose duty it is to make the report who fails or refuses to make it within 30 days after notification by the commissioner shall be fined new text begin an amount of new text end not more than $1,000.

new text begin (d)new text end Failure of the insurer to receive a reporting form deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin does new text end not excuse the insurer from filing the report.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Determination of qualified state aid recipients; certification to commissioner of management and budget.

(a) The commissioner shall determine which municipalities and independent nonprofit firefighting corporations are qualified to receive fire state aid new text begin directly or are qualified to receive the benefit of fire state aid paid to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end and which municipalities and counties are qualified to receive police state aid.

(b) The commissioner shall determine qualification for state aid upon receipt of:

(1) the fire department personnel and equipment certification or the police department and qualified peace officers certificate, whichever applies, required under section 69.011;

(2) the financial compliance report required under section 6.495, subdivision 3, if applicable; and

(3) any other relevant information which comes to the attention of the commissioner.

(c) Upon completion of the determination, on or before October 1, the commissioner shall calculate the amount of:

(1) the police state aid which each county or municipality is to receive under subdivisions 5, 6, 7a, and 10; and

(2) the fire state aid which each municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation is to receive under subdivisions 5 and 7.

(d) The commissioner shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget the name of each county or municipality, and the amount of state aid which each county or municipality is to receive, in the case of police state aid. The commissioner shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget the name of each municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and the amount of state aid which each municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is to receivenew text begin directly or the amount of state aid which the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is qualified to receive on behalf of the municipality or corporationnew text end , in the case of fire state aid.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Calculation of state aid.

(a) The amount of fire state aid available for apportionment, before the addition of the minimum fire state aid allocation amount under subdivision 7, is equal to 107 percent of the amount of premium taxes paid to the state upon the fire, lightning, sprinkler leakage, and extended coverage premiums reported to the commissioner by insurers on the Minnesota Firetown Premium Report. This amount must be reduced by the amount required to pay the state auditor's costs and expenses of the audits or exams of the firefighters relief associations.

The total amount for apportionment in respect to fire state aid must not be less than two percent of the premiums reported to the commissioner by insurers on the Minnesota Firetown Premium Report after subtracting the following amounts:

(1) the amount required to pay the state auditor's costs and expenses of the audits or exams of the firefighters relief associations; and

(2) one percent of the premiums reported by town and farmers' mutual insurance companies and mutual property and casualty companies with total assets of $5,000,000 or less.

(b) The total amount for apportionment as police state aid is equal to 104 percent of the amount of premium taxes paid to the state on the premiums reported to the commissioner by insurers on the Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Reportdeleted text begin , reduced by the amount required to pay the costs and expenses of the state auditor for audits or exams of police relief associationsdeleted text end . The total amount for apportionment in respect to the police state aid program must not be less than two percent of the amount of premiums reported to the commissioner by insurers on the Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report deleted text begin after subtracting the amount required to pay the state auditor's cost and expenses of the audits or exams of the police relief associationsdeleted text end .

(c) The commissioner shall calculate the percentage of increase or decrease reflected in the apportionment over or under the previous year's available state aid using the same premiums as a basis for comparison.

(d) In addition to the amount for apportionment of police state aid under paragraph (b), each year $100,000 must be apportioned for police state aid. An amount sufficient to pay this increase is annually appropriated from the general fund.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Apportionment of fire state aid to municipalities and relief associations.

(a) The commissioner shall apportion the fire state aid relative to the premiums reported on the Minnesota Firetown Premium Reports filed under this chapter to each municipality and/or firefighters relief associationnew text begin qualified under section 69.011, subdivision 4new text end .

(b) The commissioner shall calculate an initial fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (c) andnew text begin , if applicable,new text end a minimum fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (d). The municipality or fire department must deleted text begin receivedeleted text end new text begin be apportioned new text end the larger fire state aid amount.

(c) The initial fire state aid allocation amount is the amount available for apportionment as fire state aid under subdivision 5, without new text begin the new text end inclusion of any additional funding amount to support a minimum fire state aid amount under section 423A.02, subdivision 3, allocated one-half in proportion to the population as shown in the last official statewide federal census for each fire town and one-half in proportion to the market value of each fire town, including (1) the market value of tax-exempt property and (2) the market value of natural resources lands receiving in lieu payments under sections 477A.11 to 477A.14, but excluding the market value of minerals. In the case of incorporated or municipal fire departments furnishing fire protection to other cities, towns, or townships as evidenced by valid fire service contracts filed with the commissioner, the distribution must be adjusted proportionately to take into consideration the crossover fire protection service. Necessary adjustments must be made to subsequent apportionments. In the case of municipalities or independent fire departments qualifying for the aid, the commissioner shall calculate the state aid for the municipality or relief association on the basis of the population and the market value of the area furnished fire protection service by the fire department as evidenced by duly executed and valid fire service agreements filed with the commissioner. If one or more fire departments are furnishing contracted fire service to a city, town, or township, only the population and market value of the area served by each fire department may be considered in calculating the state aid and the fire departments furnishing service shall enter into an agreement apportioning among themselves the percent of the population and the new text begin percent of the new text end market value of each new text begin shared new text end service area. The agreement must be in writing and must be filed with the commissioner.

(d) The minimum fire state aid allocation amount is the amount in addition to the initial fire state allocation amount that is derived from any additional funding amount to support a minimum fire state aid amount under section 423A.02, subdivision 3, and allocated to municipalities with volunteer firefighters relief associations or covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan based on the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the annual financial reporting for the calendar year 1993 to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 30 active volunteer firefighters, so that all municipalities or fire departments with volunteer firefighters relief associations receive in total at least a minimum fire state aid amount per 1993 active volunteer firefighter to a maximum of 30 firefighters. If a relief association is established after calendar year 1993 and before calendar year 2000, the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the annual financial reporting for calendar year 1998 to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 30 active volunteer firefighters, shall be used in this determination. If a relief association is established after calendar year 1999, the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the first annual financial reporting submitted to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 20 active volunteer firefighters, must be used in this determination. If a relief association is terminated as a result of providing retirement coverage for volunteer firefighters by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G, the number of active volunteer firefighters of the municipality covered by the statewide plan as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association to the commissioner and the state auditor, but not to exceed 30 active firefighters, must be used in this determination.

(e) Unless the firefighters of the applicable fire department are members of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the fire state aid must be paid to the treasurer of the municipality where the fire department is located and the treasurer of the municipality shall, within 30 days of receipt of the fire state aid, transmit the aid to the relief association if the relief association has filed a financial report with the treasurer of the municipality and has met all other statutory provisions pertaining to the aid apportionment. If the firefighters of the applicable fire department are members of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the fire state aid must be paid to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association and deposited in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund.

(f) The commissioner may make rules to permit the administration of the provisions of this section.

(g) Any adjustments needed to correct prior misallocations must be made to subsequent new text begin fire state aid new text end apportionments.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:

Subd. 7a.

Apportionment of police state aid.

new text begin (a) new text end Subject to the reduction provided for under subdivision 10, the commissioner shall apportion the police state aid to each municipality deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end to deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin each new text end countynew text begin , and to the Departments of Natural Resources and Public Safetynew text end in the following manner:

(1) for all municipalities maintaining police departments, counties, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Public Safety, the police state aid must be distributed in proportion to the relationship that the total number of peace officers, as determined under section 69.011, subdivision 1, deleted text begin clausedeleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (g), and subdivision 2, deleted text begin clausedeleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (b), employed by that employing unit for 12 calendar months and the proportional or fractional number who were employed less than 12 months bears to the total number of peace officers employed by all municipalities deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end countiesnew text begin , the Departments of Natural Resources and Public Safety,new text end subject to any reduction under subdivision 10;

(2) for each municipality which contracts with the county for police service, a proportionate amount of the state aid distributed to the county based on the full-time equivalent number of peace officers providing contract service to that municipality must be credited against the municipality's contract obligation; and

(3) for each municipality which contracts with another municipality for police service, a proportionate amount of the state aid distributed to the municipality providing contract service based on the full-time equivalent number of peace officers providing contract service to that municipality on a full-time equivalent basis must be credited against the contract obligation of the municipality receiving contract service.

new text begin (b) Any necessary additional adjustments must be made to subsequent police state aid apportionments. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Population and market value.

(a) In computations relating to fire state aid requiring the use of population figures, only official statewide federal census figures deleted text begin are todeleted text end new text begin may new text end be used. Increases or decreases in population disclosed by reason of any special census must not be taken into consideration.

(b) In calculations relating to fire state aid requiring the use of market value property figures, only the latest available market value property figures may be used.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Appeal.

new text begin (a) new text end In the event that a municipality, a county, a fire relief association, deleted text begin a police relief association,deleted text end new text begin the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety, new text end or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, feels itself to be aggrieved, it may request the commissioner to review and adjust the apportionment of funds within the county in the case of police state aid, or within the state in the case of fire state aid.

new text begin (b)new text end The decision of the commissioner is subject to appeal, review, and adjustment by the district court in the county in which the applicable municipalitydeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ornew text end fire departmentdeleted text begin ,deleted text end deleted text begin or police departmentdeleted text end is locatednew text begin or by the Ramsey County District Court with respect to the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety, or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plannew text end .

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Reduction in police state aid apportionment.

(a) The commissioner of revenue shall reduce the apportionment of police state aid under subdivisions 5, paragraph (b), 6, and 7a, for eligible employer units by new text begin the amount of new text end any excess police state aid.

(b) "Excess police state aid" is:

(1) for counties and for municipalities in which police retirement coverage is provided wholly by the public employees police and fire fund and all police officers are members of the plan governed by sections 353.63 to 353.657, the amount in excess of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation as defined in paragraph (c), as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

deleted text begin (2) for municipalities in which police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund governed by sections 353.63 to 353.657 and in part by a local police consolidation account governed by chapter 353A, and established before March 2, 1999, for which the municipality declined merger under section 353.665, subdivision 1, or established after March 1, 1999, the amount in excess of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation as defined in paragraph (c), plus the amount of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation under section 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraphs (a) and (b), as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) for municipalities in which police retirement coverage is provided by the public employees police and fire plan governed by sections 353.63 to 353.657, in which police retirement coverage was provided by a police consolidation account under chapter 353A before July 1, 1999, and for which the municipality has an additional municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), the amount in excess of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation as defined in paragraph (c), plus the amount of any additional municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), until the year 2010, as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association; deleted text end

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end for deleted text begin municipalities in which police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund governed by sections 353.63 to 353.657 and in part by a local police relief association governed by sections 69.77 and 423A.01deleted text end new text begin the cities of Fairmont and Minneapolisnew text end , the amount in excess of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation as defined in paragraph (c), as certified by the executive director of the public employees retirement association, plus the amount of deleted text begin the financial requirements of the relief association certified to the applicable municipality during the prior calendar year under section 69.77, subdivisions 4 and 5, reduced by the amount of member contributions deducted from the covered salary of the relief association during the prior calendar year under section 69.77, subdivision 3, as certified by the chief administrative officer of the applicable municipalitydeleted text end new text begin any additional municipal contribution under section 353.668, subdivision 6, or 353.669, subdivision 6new text end ;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the amount in excess of the commission's total prior calendar year obligation as defined in paragraph (c), as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association; and

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end for the Department of Natural Resources and for the Department of Public Safety, the amount in excess of the employer's total prior calendar year obligation under section 352B.02, subdivision 1c, for plan members who are peace officers under section 69.011, subdivision 1, clause (g), as certified by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

(c) The employer's total prior calendar year obligation with respect to the public employees police and fire plan new text begin under paragraph (b), clause (1), new text end is the total prior calendar year obligation under section 353.65, subdivision 3, for police officers as defined in section 353.64, subdivision 2, and the actual total prior calendar year obligation under section 353.65, subdivision 3, for firefighters, as defined in section 353.64, subdivision 3, but not to exceed for those firefighters the applicable following deleted text begin amountsdeleted text end new text begin employer calendar year amountnew text end :

Municipality Maximum Amount
Albert Lea $54,157.01
Anoka 10,399.31
Apple Valley 5,442.44
Austin 49,864.73
Bemidji 27,671.38
Brooklyn Center 6,605.92
Brooklyn Park 24,002.26
Burnsville 15,956.00
Cloquet 4,260.49
Coon Rapids 39,920.00
Cottage Grove 8,588.48
Crystal 5,855.00
East Grand Forks 51,009.88
Edina 32,251.00
Elk River 5,216.55
Ely 13,584.16
Eveleth 16,288.27
Fergus Falls 6,742.00
Fridley 33,420.64
Golden Valley 11,744.61
Hastings 16,561.00
Hopkins 4,324.23
International Falls 14,400.69
Lakeville 782.35
Lino Lakes 5,324.00
Little Falls 7,889.41
Maple Grove 6,707.54
Maplewood 8,476.69
Minnetonka 10,403.00
Montevideo 1,307.66
Moorhead 68,069.26
New Hope 6,739.72
North St. Paul 4,241.14
Northfield 770.63
Owatonna 37,292.67
Plymouth 6,754.71
Red Wing 3,504.01
Richfield 53,757.96
Rosemount 1,712.55
Roseville 9,854.51
St. Anthony 33,055.00
St. Louis Park 53,643.11
Thief River Falls 28,365.04
Virginia 31,164.46
Waseca 11,135.17
West St. Paul 15,707.20
White Bear Lake 6,521.04
Woodbury 3,613.00
any other municipality 0.00

(d) The total amount of excess police state aid must be deposited in the excess police state-aid account in the general fund, administered and distributed as provided in subdivision 11.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.021, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Excess police state-aid holding account.

(a) The excess police state-aid holding account is established in the general fund. The excess police state-aid holding account must be administered by the commissioner.

(b) Excess police state aid determined according to subdivision 10, must be deposited new text begin annually new text end in the excess police state-aid holding account.

(c) From the balance in the excess police state-aid holding account, $900,000 must be canceled annually to the general fund.

deleted text begin (d) If a police officer stress reduction program is created by law and money is appropriated for that program, an amount equal to that appropriation must be transferred to the administrator of that program from the balance in the excess police state-aid holding account. deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end On October 1 of each year, one-half of the balance of the excess police state-aid holding account remaining after the deleted text begin deductionsdeleted text end new text begin deduction new text end under deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (c) deleted text begin and (d)deleted text end is appropriated for additional amortization aid under section 423A.02, subdivision 1b.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Annually, the remaining balance in the excess police state-aid holding account, after the deductions under paragraphs (c)deleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin and new text end (d)deleted text begin , and (e),deleted text end cancels to the general fund.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner's warrant.

(a) The commissioner of management and budget shall issue to the Public Employees Retirement Association on behalf of a municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation that is a member of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353Gnew text begin , to the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety,new text end or deleted text begin todeleted text end the county, municipality, or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation certified to the commissioner of management and budget by the commissioner a warrant for an amount equal to the amount of fire state aid or police state aid, whichever applies, certified for the applicable state aid recipient by the commissioner under section 69.021.

(b) new text begin Fire state aid and police state aid is payable on October 1 annually. new text end The amount of state aid due and not paid by October 1 accrues interest new text begin payable to the state aid recipient new text end at the rate of one percent for each month or part of a month new text begin that new text end the amount remains unpaid after October 1.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Appropriations.

There is hereby appropriated annually from the state general fund to the commissioner of revenue deleted text begin an amountdeleted text end new text begin amounts new text end sufficient to make the police new text begin state aid payments new text end and new text begin the new text end fire state aid payments specified in this section and section 69.021.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Deposit of state aid.

(a) If the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G, the executive director shall credit the fire state aid against future municipal contribution requirements under section 353G.08 and shall notify the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation of the fire state aid so credited at least annually. If the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is not covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the municipal treasurer shall, within 30 days after receipt, transmit the fire state aid to the treasurer of the duly incorporated firefighters' relief association if there is one organized and the association has filed a financial report with the municipality. If the relief association has not filed a financial report with the municipality, the municipal treasurer shall delay transmission of the fire state aid to the relief association until the complete financial report is filed. If the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is not covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, if there is no relief association organized, or if the association has dissolved or has been removed as trustees of state aid, then the treasurer of the municipality shall deposit the money in the municipal treasury and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner set forth in section 424A.08 or for the payment of the employer contribution requirement with respect to firefighters covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

deleted text begin (b) The municipal treasurer, upon receipt of the police state aid, shall disburse the police state aid in the following manner: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) For a municipality in which a local police relief association exists and all peace officers are members of the association, the total state aid must be transmitted to the treasurer of the relief association within 30 days of the date of receipt, and the treasurer of the relief association shall immediately deposit the total state aid in the special fund of the relief association; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end For a municipality in which police retirement coverage is provided by the public employees police and fire fund and all peace officers are members of the fund, including municipalities covered by section 353.665, the total state aid must be applied toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund under sections 353.65, subdivision 3, and deleted text begin 353.665deleted text end new text begin 353.668new text end , subdivision deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 6new text end , deleted text begin paragraph (b)deleted text end new text begin or 353.669, subdivision 6new text end , if applicabledeleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin (3) For a municipality other than a city of the first class with a population of more than 300,000 in which both a police relief association exists and police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund, the municipality may elect at its option to transmit the total state aid to the treasurer of the relief association as provided in clause (1), to use the total state aid to apply toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund subject to all the provisions set forth in clause (2), or to allot the total state aid proportionately to be transmitted to the police relief association as provided in this subdivision and to apply toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund subject to the provisions of clause (2) on the basis of the respective number of active full-time peace officers, as defined in section 69.011, subdivision 1, clause (g). deleted text end

deleted text begin For a city of the first class with a population of more than 300,000, in addition, the city may elect to allot the appropriate portion of the total police state aid to apply toward the employer contribution of the city to the public employees police and fire fund based on the covered salary of police officers covered by the fund each payroll period and to transmit the balance to the police relief association; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) For a municipality in which police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund and in part by a local police consolidation account governed by chapter 353A and established before March 2, 1999, for which the municipality declined merger under section 353.665, subdivision 1, or established after March 1, 1999, the total police state aid must be applied towards the municipality's total employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund and to the local police consolidation account under sections 353.65, subdivision 3, and 353A.09, subdivision 5. deleted text end

(c) The county treasurer, upon receipt of the police state aid for the county, shall apply the total state aid toward the county's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(d) The designated Metropolitan Airports Commission official, upon receipt of the police state aid for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, shall apply the total police state aid toward the commission's employer contribution for police officers to the public employees police and fire plan under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(e) The police state aid apportioned to the Departments of Public Safety and Natural Resources under section 69.021, subdivision 7a, is appropriated to the commissioner of management and budget for transfer to the funds and accounts from which the salaries of peace officers certified under section 69.011, subdivision 2b, are paid. The commissioner of revenue shall certify to the commissioners of public safety, natural resources, and management and budget the amounts to be transferred from the appropriation for police state aid. The commissioners of public safety and natural resources shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget the amounts to be credited to each of the funds and accounts from which the peace officers employed by their respective departments are paid. Each commissioner shall allocate the police state aid first for employer contributions for employees funded from the general fund and then for employer contributions for employees funded from other funds. For peace officers whose salaries are paid from the general fund, the amounts transferred from the appropriation for police state aid must be canceled to the general fund.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.041, is amended to read:

69.041 SHORTFALL FROM GENERAL FUND.

(a) If the annual funding requirements of fire or police relief associations or consolidation accounts under sections deleted text begin 69.77,deleted text end 69.771 to 69.775, deleted text begin ordeleted text end 353A.09, new text begin or sections 31 to 42, new text end exceed all applicable revenue sources of a given year, including the insurance premium taxes funding the applicable fire or police state aid as set under section 297I.05, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4, the shortfall in the annual funding requirements must be paid from the general fund to the extent appropriated by the legislature.

(b) Nothing in this section may be deemed to relieve any municipality from its obligation to a relief association or consolidation account under law.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Financial report and audit.

(a) The board of deleted text begin each salaried firefightersdeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Associationdeleted text begin , police relief association,deleted text end and new text begin each new text end volunteer firefighters relief association as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, with assets of at least $200,000 or liabilities of at least $200,000 in the prior year or in any previous year, according to the applicable actuarial valuation or new text begin according to the new text end financial report if no valuation is required, shall prepare a financial report covering the special and general funds of the relief association for the preceding fiscal year, file the financial report, and submit financial statements.

(b) The financial report must contain financial statements and disclosures which present the true financial condition of the relief association and the results of relief association operations in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and in compliance with the regulatory, financing and funding provisions of this chapter and any other applicable laws. The financial report must be countersigned by:

(1) the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer of the municipality in which the relief association is located if the relief association is a firefighters relief association which is directly associated with a municipal fire department deleted text begin or is a police relief associationdeleted text end ; or

(2) by the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer of the largest municipality in population which contracts with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation if the volunteer firefighter relief association is a subsidiary of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and by the secretary of the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation; or

(3) by the chief financial official of the county in which the volunteer firefighter relief association is located or primarily located if the relief association is associated with a fire department that is not located in or associated with an organized municipality.

(c) The financial report must be retained in its office for public inspection and must be filed with the governing body of the government subdivision in which the associated fire department is located after the close of the fiscal year. One copy of the financial report must be furnished to the state auditor after the close of the fiscal year.

(d) Audited financial statements must be attested to by a certified public accountant or new text begin by new text end the state auditor and must be filed with the state auditor within 180 days after the close of the fiscal year. The state auditor may accept this report in lieu of the report required in paragraph (c).

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Financial statement.

(a) The board of each volunteer firefighters relief association, as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, that is not required to file a financial report and audit under subdivision 1 must prepare a detailed statement of the financial affairs for the preceding fiscal year of the relief association's special and general funds in the style and form prescribed by the state auditor. The detailed statement must shownew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end the sources and amounts of all money received;

new text begin (2)new text end all disbursements, accounts payable and accounts receivable;

new text begin (3)new text end the amount of money remaining in the treasury;

new text begin (4) new text end total assetsnew text begin ,new text end including a listing of all investments;

new text begin (5)new text end the accrued liabilities; and

new text begin (6)new text end all new text begin other new text end items necessary to show accurately the revenues and expenditures and financial position of the relief association.

(b) The detailed financial statement required under paragraph (a) must be certified by an independent public accountant or auditor or by the auditor or accountant who regularly examines or audits the financial transactions of the municipality. In addition to certifying the financial condition of the special and general funds of the relief association, the accountant or auditor conducting the examination shall give an opinion as to the condition of the special and general funds of the relief association, and shall comment upon any exceptions to the report. The independent accountant or auditor must have at least five years of public accounting, auditing, or similar experience, and must not be an active, inactive, or retired member of the relief association or the fire deleted text begin or policedeleted text end department.

(c) The detailed statement required under paragraph (a) must be countersigned by:

(1) the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer of the municipality; or

(2) where applicable, by the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer of the largest municipality in population which contracts with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation if the relief association is a subsidiary of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and by the secretary of the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation; or

(3) by the chief financial official of the county in which the volunteer firefighter relief association is located or primarily located if the relief association is associated with a fire department that is not located in or associated with an organized municipality.

(d) The volunteer firefighters' relief association board must file the detailed statement required under paragraph (a) in the relief association office for public inspection and present it to the deleted text begin city councildeleted text end new text begin governing body of the municipality new text end within 45 days after the close of the fiscal year, and must submit a copy of the detailed statement to the state auditor within 90 days of the close of the fiscal year.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Qualification.

The state auditor may, upon a demonstration by a relief association of hardship or new text begin an new text end inability to conform, extend the deadline for reports under subdivisions 1 or 1a, but not beyond November 30th following the due date. If the reports are not received by November 30th, the municipality or relief association deleted text begin will forfeitdeleted text end new text begin forfeits new text end its current year state aid, andnew text begin ,new text end until the state auditor receives the required information, the relief new text begin association new text end or municipality deleted text begin will bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end ineligible to receive any future state aid. A municipality or deleted text begin police ordeleted text end firefighters' relief association deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin does new text end not qualify initially to receive, or be entitled subsequently to retain, state aid deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end this chapter if the financial reporting requirement or the applicable requirements of this chapter or any other statute or special law have not been complied with or are not fulfilled.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Treasurers bond.

deleted text begin Nodeleted text end new text begin (a) The new text end treasurer of deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association deleted text begin governed by section 69.77 shalldeleted text end new text begin may not new text end enter upon duties without having given the association a bond in a reasonable amount acceptable to the municipality for the faithful discharge of duties according to law.

new text begin (b)new text end No treasurer of a relief association governed by sections 69.771 to 69.776 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end enter upon the duties of the office until the treasurer has given the association a good and sufficient bond in an amount equal to at least ten percent of the assets of the relief association; however, the amount of the bond need not exceed $500,000.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Report by certain municipalities.

(a) new text begin The chief administrative officer of new text end each municipality which has an organized fire department but which does not have a firefighters' relief association governed by section 69.77 or sections 69.771 to 69.775 and which is not exempted under paragraph (b) shall annually prepare a detailed financial report of the receipts and disbursements by the municipality for fire protection service during the preceding calendar yeardeleted text begin ,deleted text end on a form prescribed by the state auditor. The financial report must contain any information which the state auditor deems necessary to disclose the sources of receipts and the purpose of disbursements for fire protection service. The financial report must be signed by the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer of the municipality. The financial report must be filed by the municipal clerk or clerk-treasurer with the state auditor on or before July 1 annually. The municipality deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin does new text end not qualify initially to receive, deleted text begin or bedeleted text end new text begin and is not new text end entitled subsequently to retain, state aid under this chapter if the financial reporting requirement or the applicable requirements of this chapter or any other statute or special law have not been complied with or are not fulfilled.

(b) Each municipality that has an organized fire department and provides retirement coverage to its firefighters through the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G qualifies to have fire state aid transmitted to and retained in the statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund without filing a detailed financial report if the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association certifies compliance by the municipality with the requirements of sections 353G.04 and 353G.08, paragraph (e), and new text begin certifies conformity new text end by the applicable fire chief with the requirements of section 353G.07.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.051, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Notification by commissioner and state auditor.

(a) The state auditornew text begin ,new text end in performing an audit or examinationnew text begin ,new text end shall notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement if the audit or examination reveals malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in officenew text begin by relief association officials or municipal officialsnew text end .

(b) The commissioner shall notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement if the state auditor has not filed the required financial compliance reports by July 1.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.33, is amended to read:

69.33 REPORT; AMOUNT OF PREMIUMS RECEIVED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES.

new text begin For purposes of the first class city fire insurance premium tax surcharge aid program under section 297I.10, new text end the commissioner shall enclose in the annual statement blank that is sent to all fire insurance companies doing business in this state a blank form containing the names of all cities of the first class and require these companies, at the time of making their annual statements to the commissioner, to state on these blanks the amount of premiums received by them upon properties insured within the corporate limits of the cities named thereon during the year ending December 31st last past. Thereafter, before July first each year, the commissioner shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget the information thus obtained, together with the amount of the tax for the benefit of the pension plans covering firefighters in cities of the first class paid in such year by these companies upon these insurance premiums.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Conditioned employer support for deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, only if the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end and the new text begin Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association comply with the provisions of this section, deleted text begin a municipalitydeleted text end new text begin the city of Bloomington new text end may contribute public funds, including any applicable police or fire state aid, or levy property taxes for the support of deleted text begin a police or firefighters'deleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Associationdeleted text begin , enumerated in subdivision 1a, however organized, which provides retirement coverage or pays a service pension to a retired police officer or firefighter or a retirement benefit to a surviving dependent of either an active or retired police officer or firefighter,deleted text end new text begin and new text end for the operation and maintenance of the relief association.

(b) The commissioner shall not include in the apportionment of deleted text begin police ordeleted text end fire state aid deleted text begin to the county auditor under section 69.021, subdivision 6, any municipality in which there exists a local police or salaried firefighters' relief association as enumerated in subdivision 1a whichdeleted text end new text begin the city of Bloomington if the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association new text end does not comply with the provisions of this section or the provisions of any applicable special law relating to the funding or financing of the association and deleted text begin that municipalitydeleted text end new text begin the city of Bloomington new text end may not qualify initially to receive, or be entitled subsequently to retain, new text begin fire new text end state aid under sections 69.011 to 69.051 until the reason for the disqualification is remedied, whereupon the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomingtonnew text end , if otherwise qualified, is entitled to again receive new text begin fire new text end state aid for the year occurring immediately subsequent to the year in which the disqualification is remedied.

(c) The state auditor and the commissioner shall determine if deleted text begin a municipality with a local police or salaried firefighters' relief association failsdeleted text end new text begin the city of Bloomington and the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association fail new text end to comply with the provisions of this section or the funding or financing provisions of any applicable special law.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Inapplicable penalty.

The penalty provided for in subdivision 1 does not apply to deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association deleted text begin enumerated in subdivision 1adeleted text end if the requirements of subdivisions 3 to 10 are met.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Relief association financial requirements; minimum municipal obligation.

(a) The officers of the new text begin Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association shall determine the financial requirements of the relief association and new text begin the new text end minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end for the following calendar year in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision. The financial requirements of the relief association and the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end must be determined on or before the submission date established by the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end under subdivision 5.

(b) The financial requirements of the relief association for the following calendar year must be based on the most recent actuarial valuation or survey of the special fund of the association if more than one fund is maintained by the association, or of the association, if only one fund is maintained, prepared in accordance with sections 356.215, subdivisions 4 to 15, and 356.216, as required under subdivision 10. If an actuarial estimate is prepared by the actuary of the relief association as part of obtaining a modification of the benefit plan of the relief association and the modification is implemented, the actuarial estimate must be used in calculating the subsequent financial requirements of the relief association.

(c) If the relief association has an unfunded actuarial accrued liability as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation or survey, the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (1), (2), and (3), constitute the financial requirements of the relief association for the following year. If the relief association does not have an unfunded actuarial accrued liability as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation or survey, the amount calculated under clauses (1) and (2) constitute the financial requirements of the relief association for the following year. The financial requirement elements are:

(1) the normal level cost requirement for the following year, expressed as a dollar amount, which must be determined by applying the normal level cost of the relief association as reported in the actuarial valuation or survey and expressed as a percentage of covered payroll to the estimated covered payroll of the active membership of the relief association, including any projected change in the active membership, for the following year;

(2) deleted text begin for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association,deleted text end to the dollar amount of normal cost determined under clause (1) must be added an amount equal to the dollar amount of the administrative expenses of the special fund of the association if more than one fund is maintained by the association, or of the association if only one fund is maintained, for the most recent year, multiplied by the factor of 1.035. The administrative expenses are those authorized under section 69.80; and

(3) to the dollar amount of normal cost and expenses determined under clauses (1) and (2) must be added an amount equal to the level annual dollar amount which is sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability as determined from the actuarial valuation or survey of the fund, using an interest assumption set at the applicable rate specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8, by that fund's amortization date as specified in paragraph (d).

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end The deleted text begin Bloomington Fire Department Relief Associationdeleted text end special fund amortization date is determined under section 356.216, clause (2). The amortization date specified in this paragraph supersedes any amortization date specified in any applicable special law.

new text begin (d) If the actuarial value of the assets of the special fund of the relief association exceed the actuarial accrued liability as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation of the special fund of the relief association, the financial requirements of the relief association are the amounts calculated under paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), reduced by one-tenth of the amount by which the actuarial value of the assets of the special fund of the relief association exceeds the actuarial accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association. new text end

(e) The minimum obligation of the municipality is an amount equal to the financial requirements of the relief association reduced by the estimated amount of member contributions from covered salary anticipated for the following calendar year and the estimated deleted text begin amountsdeleted text end new text begin amount new text end anticipated for the following calendar year from the deleted text begin applicabledeleted text end new text begin fire new text end state aid program established under sections 69.011 to 69.051 receivable by the relief association after any allocation made under section 69.031, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (2)deleted text begin , or 423A.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6), from the local police and salaried firefighters' relief association amortization aid program established under section 423A.02, subdivision 1, from the supplementary amortization state-aid program established under section 423A.02, subdivision 1a, and from the additional amortization state aid under section 423A.02, subdivision 1bdeleted text end .

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Determination submission.

The officers of the relief association shall submit the determination of the financial requirements of the relief association and of the minimum obligation of the municipality to the deleted text begin governing bodydeleted text end new text begin Bloomington City Council new text end on or before the date established by the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomingtonnew text end , which may not be earlier than August 1 and may not be later than September 1 of each year. The deleted text begin governing body of the municipalitydeleted text end new text begin Bloomington City Council new text end must ascertain whether or not the determinations were prepared in accordance with law.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Municipal payment.

(a) The deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end shall provide for and shall pay, each year, at least the amount of the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end to the new text begin Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association.

(b) If there is any deficiency in the municipal payment to meet the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end as of the end of any calendar year, the amount of the deficiency must be added to the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end for the following year calculated under subdivision 4 and must include interest at the compound rate of six percent per annum from the date that the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end was required to make payment under this subdivision until the date that the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end actually makes the required payment.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Budget inclusion.

(a) The deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end shall provide in the annual municipal budget for at least the minimum obligation of the municipality calculated under subdivision 4.

(b) The deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end may levy taxes for the payment of the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end without any limitation as to rate or amount and irrespective of limitations imposed by other provisions of law upon the rate or amount of taxation when the balance of the special fund or any fund of the relief association has attained a specified minimum asset level. In addition, any taxes levied under this section may not cause the amount or rate of other taxes levied in that year or to be levied in a subsequent year by the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end which are subject to a limitation as to rate or amount to be reduced.

(c) If the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end does not include the full amount of the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end in the levy that the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end certified to the new text begin Hennepin new text end County auditor in any year, the officers of the relief association shall certify the amount of any deficiency to the new text begin Hennepin new text end County auditor. Upon verifying the existence of any deficiency in the levy certified by the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomingtonnew text end , the new text begin Hennepin new text end County auditor shall spread a levy over the taxable property of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end in the amount of the deficiency certified to by the officers of the relief association.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Accelerated amortization.

Any sums of money paid by the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end to the relief association in excess of the minimum obligation of the deleted text begin municipalitydeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomington new text end in any year must be used to amortize any unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities of the new text begin Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Local paid fire relief association investment authority.

(a) The deleted text begin special funddeleted text end new text begin funds new text end of the association must be invested in securities that are authorized investments under section 356A.06, subdivision 6 or 7, whichever applies.

(b) The governing board of the new text begin Bloomington Fire Department Relief new text end Association may select and appoint a qualified private firm to measure management performance and return on investment, and the firm must use the formula or formulas developed by the State Board new text begin of Investment new text end under section 11A.04, clause (11).new text begin The governing board of the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association may certify general fund assets of the relief association for investment by the State Board of Investment in fixed income pools or in a separately managed account at the discretion of the State Board of Investment as provided in section 11A.14.new text end

deleted text begin (c) The governing board of the association may certify general fund assets of the relief association for investment by the State Board of Investment in fixed income pools or in a separately managed account at the discretion of the State Board of Investment as provided in section 11A.14. deleted text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Actuarial valuation required.

The new text begin governing board of the Bloomington Fire Department Relief new text end Association shall obtain an actuarial valuation showing the condition of the special fund of the relief association under sections 356.215 and 356.216 and deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin the new text end applicable standards for actuarial work established by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. The actuarial valuation must be made as of December 31 of every year. A copy of the actuarial valuation must be filed with the Director of the Legislative Reference Library, the deleted text begin governing body of the municipality in which the association is organizeddeleted text end new text begin Bloomington City Councilnew text end , the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, and the state auditor, not later than July 1 of the following year.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Municipal approval of benefit changes required.

Any amendment to the bylaws or articles of incorporation of deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association which increases or otherwise affects the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from deleted text begin any police or firefighters'deleted text end new text begin the new text end relief association deleted text begin enumerated in subdivision 1adeleted text end is not effective until it is ratified by the deleted text begin municipality in which the relief association is locateddeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomingtonnew text end . The officers of the relief association shall not seek municipal ratification before obtaining either an updated actuarial valuation including the proposed amendment or an estimate of the expected actuarial impact of the proposed amendment prepared by the actuary of the relief association and submitting that actuarial valuation or estimate to the new text begin Bloomington city new text end clerk deleted text begin of the municipalitydeleted text end .

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Application of other laws to contribution rate.

In the absence of any specific provision to the contrary, no general or special law previously enacted may be construed as reducing the levy amount deleted text begin or rate of contributiondeleted text end to deleted text begin a police or firefightersdeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association to which subdivision 1a applies, by deleted text begin a municipality or member of the associationdeleted text end new text begin the city of Bloomingtonnew text end , which is required as a condition for the use of public funds or the levy of taxes for the support of the association. deleted text begin Eachdeleted text end new text begin The Bloomington Fire Department Relief new text end Association, the deleted text begin municipality in which it is organizeddeleted text end new text begin city of Bloomingtonnew text end , and the officers of each, are authorized to do all things required by this section as a condition for the use of public funds or the levy of taxes for the support of the association.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Citation.

This section may be cited as the "deleted text begin Police and Firefighters'deleted text end new text begin Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief deleted text begin Associationsdeleted text end new text begin Association new text end Guidelines Act deleted text begin of 1969deleted text end ."

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.771, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Covered relief associations.

The applicable provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 apply to any firefighters' relief association other than deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association deleted text begin enumerated in section 69.77, subdivision 1a,deleted text end which is organized under any laws of this state, which is composed of volunteer firefighters or is composed partially of volunteer firefighters and partially of salaried firefighters with retirement coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund and which, in either case, operates subject to the service pension minimum requirements for entitlement and maximums contained in section 424A.02, or subject to a special law modifying those requirements or maximums.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.80, is amended to read:

69.80 AUTHORIZED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the payment of the following necessary, reasonable and direct expenses of maintaining, protecting and administering the special fund, when provided for in the bylaws of the association and approved by the board of trustees, constitutes authorized administrative expenses of a deleted text begin police, salaried firefighters', ordeleted text end volunteer firefighters' relief association organized under any law of this statenew text begin or the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Associationnew text end :

(1) office expense, including, but not limited to, rent, utilities, equipment, supplies, postage, periodical subscriptions, furniture, fixtures, and salaries of administrative personnel;

(2) salaries of the officers of the association, or their designees, and salaries of the members of the board of trustees of the association if the salary amounts are approved by the governing body of the entity that is responsible for meeting any minimum obligation under section deleted text begin 69.77,deleted text end 69.772deleted text begin ,deleted text end or 69.773, new text begin or sections 31 to 42, new text end and the itemized expenses of relief association officers and board members that are incurred as a result of fulfilling their responsibilities as administrators of the special fund;

(3) tuition, registration fees, organizational dues, and other authorized expenses of the officers or members of the board of trustees incurred in attending educational conferences, seminars, or classes relating to the administration of the relief association;

(4) audit, actuarial, medical, legal, and investment and performance evaluation expenses;

(5) filing and application fees payable by the relief association to federal or other governmental entities;

(6) reimbursement to the officers and members of the board of trustees, or their designees, for reasonable and necessary expenses actually paid and incurred in the performance of their duties as officers or members of the board; and

(7) premiums on fiduciary liability insurance and official bonds for the officers, members of the board of trustees, and employees of the relief association.

(b) Any other expenses of the relief association must be paid from the general fund of the association, if one exists. If a relief association has only one fund, that fund is the special fund for purposes of this section. If a relief association has a special fund and a general fund, and any expense of the relief association that is directly related to the purposes for which both funds were established, the payment of that expense must be apportioned between the two funds on the basis of the benefits derived by each fund.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 275.70, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Special levies.

"Special levies" means those portions of ad valorem taxes levied by a local governmental unit for the following purposes or in the following manner:

(1) to pay the costs of the principal and interest on bonded indebtedness or to reimburse for the amount of liquor store revenues used to pay the principal and interest due on municipal liquor store bonds in the year preceding the year for which the levy limit is calculated;

(2) to pay the costs of principal and interest on certificates of indebtedness issued for any corporate purpose except for the following:

(i) tax anticipation or aid anticipation certificates of indebtedness;

(ii) certificates of indebtedness issued under sections 298.28 and 298.282;

(iii) certificates of indebtedness used to fund current expenses or to pay the costs of extraordinary expenditures that result from a public emergency; or

(iv) certificates of indebtedness used to fund an insufficiency in tax receipts or an insufficiency in other revenue sources, provided that nothing in this subdivision limits the special levy authorized under section 475.755;

(3) to provide for the bonded indebtedness portion of payments made to another political subdivision of the state of Minnesota;

(4) to fund payments made to the Minnesota State Armory Building Commission under section 193.145, subdivision 2, to retire the principal and interest on armory construction bonds;

(5) property taxes approved by voters which are levied against the referendum market value as provided under section 275.61;

(6) to fund matching requirements needed to qualify for federal or state grants or programs to the extent that either (i) the matching requirement exceeds the matching requirement in calendar year 2001, or (ii) it is a new matching requirement that did not exist prior to 2002;

(7) to pay the expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred in preparing for or repairing the effects of natural disaster including the occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from natural causes, in accordance with standards formulated by the Emergency Services Division of the state Department of Public Safety, as allowed by the commissioner of revenue under section 275.74, subdivision 2;

(8) pay amounts required to correct an error in the levy certified to the county auditor by a city or county in a levy year, but only to the extent that when added to the preceding year's levy it is not in excess of an applicable statutory, special law or charter limitation, or the limitation imposed on the governmental subdivision by sections 275.70 to 275.74 in the preceding levy year;

(9) to pay an abatement under section 469.1815;

(10) to pay any costs attributable to increases in the employer contribution rates under chapter 353, or locally administered pension plans, that are effective after June 30, 2001;

(11) to pay the operating or maintenance costs of a county jail as authorized in section 641.01 or 641.262, or of a correctional facility as defined in section 241.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), to the extent that the county can demonstrate to the commissioner of revenue that the amount has been included in the county budget as a direct result of a rule, minimum requirement, minimum standard, or directive of the Department of Corrections, or to pay the operating or maintenance costs of a regional jail as authorized in section 641.262. For purposes of this clause, a district court order is not a rule, minimum requirement, minimum standard, or directive of the Department of Corrections. If the county utilizes this special levy, except to pay operating or maintenance costs of a new regional jail facility under sections 641.262 to 641.264 which will not replace an existing jail facility, any amount levied by the county in the previous levy year for the purposes specified under this clause and included in the county's previous year's levy limitation computed under section 275.71, shall be deducted from the levy limit base under section 275.71, subdivision 2, when determining the county's current year levy limitation. The county shall provide the necessary information to the commissioner of revenue for making this determination;

(12) to pay for operation of a lake improvement district, as authorized under section 103B.555. If the county utilizes this special levy, any amount levied by the county in the previous levy year for the purposes specified under this clause and included in the county's previous year's levy limitation computed under section 275.71 shall be deducted from the levy limit base under section 275.71, subdivision 2, when determining the county's current year levy limitation. The county shall provide the necessary information to the commissioner of revenue for making this determination;

(13) to repay a state or federal loan used to fund the direct or indirect required spending by the local government due to a state or federal transportation project or other state or federal capital project. This authority may only be used if the project is not a local government initiative;

(14) to pay for court administration costs as required under section 273.1398, subdivision 4b, less the (i) county's share of transferred fines and fees collected by the district courts in the county for calendar year 2001 and (ii) the aid amount certified to be paid to the county in 2004 under section 273.1398, subdivision 4c; however, for taxes levied to pay for these costs in the year in which the court financing is transferred to the state, the amount under this clause is limited to the amount of aid the county is certified to receive under section 273.1398, subdivision 4a;

(15) to fund a deleted text begin police ordeleted text end firefighters relief association as required under deleted text begin section 69.77deleted text end new text begin sections 31 to 42 new text end to the extent that the required amount exceeds the amount levied for this purpose in 2001;

(16) for purposes of a storm sewer improvement district under section 444.20;

(17) to pay for the maintenance and support of a city or county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals under section 343.11, but not to exceed in any year $4,800 or the sum of $1 per capita based on the county's or city's population as of the most recent federal census, whichever is greater. If the city or county uses this special levy, any amount levied by the city or county in the previous levy year for the purposes specified in this clause and included in the city's or county's previous year's levy limit computed under section 275.71, must be deducted from the levy limit base under section 275.71, subdivision 2, in determining the city's or county's current year levy limit;

(18) for counties, to pay for the increase in their share of health and human service costs caused by reductions in federal health and human services grants effective after September 30, 2007;

(19) for a city, for the costs reasonably and necessarily incurred for securing, maintaining, or demolishing foreclosed or abandoned residential properties, as allowed by the commissioner of revenue under section 275.74, subdivision 2. A city must have either (i) a foreclosure rate of at least 1.4 percent in 2007, or (ii) a foreclosure rate in 2007 in the city or in a zip code area of the city that is at least 50 percent higher than the average foreclosure rate in the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, to use this special levy. For purposes of this paragraph, "foreclosure rate" means the number of foreclosures, as indicated by sheriff sales records, divided by the number of households in the city in 2007;

(20) for a city, for the unreimbursed costs of redeployed traffic-control agents and lost traffic citation revenue due to the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge, as certified to the Federal Highway Administration;

(21) to pay costs attributable to wages and benefits for sheriff, police, and fire personnel. If a local governmental unit did not use this special levy in the previous year its levy limit base under section 275.71 shall be reduced by the amount equal to the amount it levied for the purposes specified in this clause in the previous year;

(22) an amount equal to any reductions in the certified aids or credit reimbursements payable under sections 477A.011 to 477A.014, and section 273.1384, due to unallotment under section 16A.152 or reductions under another provision of law. The amount of the levy allowed under this clause for each year is limited to the amount unallotted or reduced from the aids and credit reimbursements certified for payment in the year following the calendar year in which the tax levy is certified unless the unallotment or reduction amount is not known by September 1 of the levy certification year, and the local government has not adjusted its levy under section 275.065, subdivision 6, or 275.07, subdivision 6, in which case that unallotment or reduction amount may be levied in the following year;

(23) to pay for the difference between one-half of the costs of confining sex offenders undergoing the civil commitment process and any state payments for this purpose pursuant to section 253B.185, subdivision 5;

(24) for a county to pay the costs of the first year of maintaining and operating a new facility or new expansion, either of which contains courts, corrections, dispatch, criminal investigation labs, or other public safety facilities and for which all or a portion of the funding for the site acquisition, building design, site preparation, construction, and related equipment was issued or authorized prior to the imposition of levy limits in 2008. The levy limit base shall then be increased by an amount equal to the new facility's first full year's operating costs as described in this clause; and

(25) for the estimated amount of reduction to market value credit reimbursements under section 273.1384 for credits payable in the year in which the levy is payable.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 297I.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Cities of the first class.

(a) The commissioner shall order and direct a surcharge to be collected of two percent of the fire, lightning, and sprinkler leakage gross premiums, less return premiums, on all direct business received by any licensed foreign or domestic fire insurance company on property in a city of the first class, or by its agents for it, in cash or otherwise.

(b) By July 31 and December 31 of each yearnew text begin ,new text end the commissioner of management and budget shall pay to deleted text begin the relief association indeleted text end each city new text begin of the first class new text end a warrant for an amount equal to the total amount of the surcharge on the premiums collected within deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin that new text end city since the previous payment.

(c) The treasurer of the deleted text begin relief associationdeleted text end new text begin city new text end shall place the money received under this subdivision in deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end special new text begin account or new text end fund deleted text begin of the relief associationdeleted text end new text begin to defray all or a a portion of the employer contribution requirement of public employees police and fire plan coverage for city firefightersnew text end .

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 345.381, is amended to read:

345.381 PROPERTY HELD BY MINNESOTA PUBLIC PENSION FUND.

No amounts of money held or owing by a public pension fund enumerated in section 356.20, subdivision 2, or 356.30, subdivision 3, or governed by sections deleted text begin 69.77 ordeleted text end 69.771 to 69.776 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin or sections 31 to 42 may new text end be presumed to have been abandoned for purposes of sections 345.41, 345.42, 345.43, 345.47 and 345.48 if the plan governing the public pension fund includes a provision governing the disposition of unclaimed amounts of money.

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Included employees; mandatory membership.

(a) Public employees whose salary exceeds $425 in any month and who are not specifically excluded under subdivision 2b or who have not been provided an option to participate under subdivision 2d, whether individually or by action of the governmental subdivision, must participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the general employees retirement plan under this chapter, the public employees police and fire retirement plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, whichever applies. Membership commences as a condition of their employment on the first day of their employment or on the first day that the eligibility criteria are met, whichever is later. Public employees include but are not limited to:

(1) persons whose salary meets the threshold in this paragraph from employment in one or more positions within one governmental subdivision;

(2) elected county sheriffs;

(3) persons who are appointed, employed, or contracted to perform governmental functions that by law or local ordinance are required of a public officer, including, but not limited to:

(i) town and city clerk or treasurer;

(ii) county auditor, treasurer, or recorder;

(iii) city manager as defined in section 353.028 who does not exercise the option provided under subdivision 2d; or

(iv) emergency management director, as provided under section 12.25;

(4) physicians under section 353D.01, subdivision 2, who do not elect public employees defined contribution plan coverage under section 353D.02, subdivision 2;

(5) full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society;

deleted text begin (6) employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or Minneapolis Police Relief Association who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b due to coverage by the relief association pension plan and who elected general employee retirement plan coverage before August 20, 2009; deleted text end

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end employees of the Red Wing Port Authority who were first employed by the Red Wing Port Authority before May 1, 2011, and who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b; and

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end employees of the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b.

(b) A public employee or elected official who was a member of the association on June 30, 2002, based on employment that qualified for membership coverage by the public employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E as of June 30, 2002, retains that membership for the duration of the person's employment in that position or incumbency in elected office. Except as provided in subdivision 28, the person shall participate as a member until the employee or elected official terminates public employment under subdivision 11a or terminates membership under subdivision 11b.

(c) If the salary of an included public employee is less than $425 in any subsequent month, the member retains membership eligibility.

(d) For the purpose of participation in the MERF division of the general employees retirement plan, public employees include employees who were members of the former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund on June 29, 2010, and who participate as members of the MERF division of the association.

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Excluded employees.

(a) The following public employees are not eligible to participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the general employees retirement plan, the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, or the public employees police and fire retirement plan:

(1) persons whose salary from one governmental subdivision never exceeds $425 in a month;

(2) public officers who are elected to a governing body, city mayors, or persons who are appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective office of a governing body, whose term of office commences on or after July 1, 2002, for the service to be rendered in that elective position;

(3) election officers or election judges;

(4) patient and inmate personnel who perform services for a governmental subdivision;

(5) except as otherwise specified in subdivision 12a, employees who are hired for a temporary position as defined under subdivision 12a, and employees who resign from a nontemporary position and accept a temporary position within 30 days in the same governmental subdivision;

(6) employees who are employed by reason of work emergency caused by fire, flood, storm, or similar disaster;

(7) employees who by virtue of their employment in one governmental subdivision are required by law to be a member of and to contribute to any of the plans or funds administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System, the Teachers Retirement Association, the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, new text begin and new text end the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Associationdeleted text begin , or any police or firefighters relief association governed by section 69.77 that has not consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association, or any local police or firefighters consolidation account who have not elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under sections 353A.01 to 353A.10, or any persons covered by section 353.665, subdivision 4, 5, or 6, who have not elected public employees police and fire plan benefit coveragedeleted text end . This clause must not be construed to prevent a person from being a member of and contributing to the Public Employees Retirement Association and also belonging to and contributing to another public pension plan or fund for other service occurring during the same period of time. A person who meets the definition of "public employee" in subdivision 2 by virtue of other service occurring during the same period of time becomes a member of the association unless contributions are made to another public retirement fund on the salary based on the other service or to the Teachers Retirement Association by a teacher as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 2;

(8) persons who are members of a religious order and are excluded from coverage under the federal Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance Program for the performance of service as specified in United States Code, title 42, section 410(a)(8)(A), as amended through January 1, 1987, if no irrevocable election of coverage has been made under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended;

(9) employees of a governmental subdivision who have not reached the age of 23 and are enrolled on a full-time basis to attend or are attending classes on a full-time basis at an accredited school, college, or university in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional-technical program, or a public or charter high school;

(10) resident physicians, medical interns, and pharmacist residents and pharmacist interns who are serving in a degree or residency program in public hospitals or clinics;

(11) students who are serving in an internship or residency program sponsored by an accredited educational institution;

(12) persons who hold a part-time adult supplementary technical college license who render part-time teaching service in a technical college;

(13) except for employees of Hennepin County or Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., foreign citizens who are employed by a governmental subdivision under a work permit, or an H-1b visa initially issued or extended for a combined period less than three years of employment. Upon extension of the employment beyond the three-year period, the foreign citizens must be reported for membership beginning the first of the month thereafter provided the monthly earnings threshold as provided under subdivision 2a is met;

(14) public hospital employees who elected not to participate as members of the association before 1972 and who did not elect to participate from July 1, 1988, to October 1, 1988;

(15) except as provided in section 353.86, volunteer ambulance service personnel, as defined in subdivision 35, but persons who serve as volunteer ambulance service personnel may still qualify as public employees under subdivision 2 and may be members of the Public Employees Retirement Association and participants in the general employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, on the basis of compensation received from public employment service other than service as volunteer ambulance service personnel;

(16) except as provided in section 353.87, volunteer firefighters, as defined in subdivision 36, engaging in activities undertaken as part of volunteer firefighter duties, but a person who is a volunteer firefighter may still qualify as a public employee under subdivision 2 and may be a member of the Public Employees Retirement Association and a participant in the general employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, on the basis of compensation received from public employment activities other than those as a volunteer firefighter;

(17) pipefitters and associated trades personnel employed by Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the pipefitters local 455 pension plan who were either first employed after May 1, 1997, or, if first employed before May 2, 1997, elected to be excluded under Laws 1997, chapter 241, article 2, section 12;

(18) electrical workers, plumbers, carpenters, and associated trades personnel who are employed by Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, or the city of St. Paul, who have retirement coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Electrical Workers Local 110 pension plan, the United Association Plumbers Local 34 pension plan, or the pension plan applicable to Carpenters Local 87 who were either first employed after May 1, 2000, or, if first employed before May 2, 2000, elected to be excluded under Laws 2000, chapter 461, article 7, section 5;

(19) bricklayers, allied craftworkers, cement masons, glaziers, glassworkers, painters, allied tradesworkers, and plasterers who are employed by the city of St. Paul or Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 pension plan, the Cement Masons Local 633 pension plan, the Glaziers and Glassworkers Local L-1324 pension plan, the Painters and Allied Trades Local 61 pension plan, or the Twin Cities Plasterers Local 265 pension plan who were either first employed after May 1, 2001, or if first employed before May 2, 2001, elected to be excluded under Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10, section 6;

(20) plumbers who are employed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, with coverage under a collective bargaining agreement by the Plumbers Local 34 pension plan, who either were first employed after May 1, 2001, or if first employed before May 2, 2001, elected to be excluded under Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10, section 6;

(21) employees who are hired after June 30, 2002, to fill seasonal positions under subdivision 12b which are limited in duration by the employer to 185 consecutive calendar days or less in each year of employment with the governmental subdivision;

(22) persons who are provided supported employment or work-study positions by a governmental subdivision and who participate in an employment or industries program maintained for the benefit of these persons where the governmental subdivision limits the position's duration to three years or less, including persons participating in a federal or state subsidized on-the-job training, work experience, senior citizen, youth, or unemployment relief program where the training or work experience is not provided as a part of, or for, future permanent public employment;

(23) independent contractors and the employees of independent contractors;

(24) reemployed annuitants of the association during the course of that reemployment; and

(25) persons appointed to serve on a board or commission of a governmental subdivision or an instrumentality thereof.

(b) Any person performing the duties of a public officer in a position defined in subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause (3), is not an independent contractor and is not an employee of an independent contractor.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Governmental subdivision.

(a) "Governmental subdivision" means a county, city, town, school district within this state, or a department, unit or instrumentality of state or local government, or any public body established under state or local authority that has a governmental purpose, is under public control, is responsible for the employment and payment of the salaries of employees of the entity, and receives a major portion of its revenues from taxation, fees, assessments or from other public sources.

(b) Governmental subdivision also means the Public Employees Retirement Association, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, charter schools formed under section 124D.10, service cooperatives exercising retirement plan participation under section 123A.21, subdivision 5, joint powers boards organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), family service collaboratives and children's mental health collaboratives organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (b) or (c), provided that the entities creating the collaboratives are governmental units that otherwise qualify for retirement plan membership, public hospitals owned or operated by, or an integral part of, a governmental subdivision or governmental subdivisions, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Minnesota Inter-county Association, the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the University of Minnesota with respect to police officers covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund for employment initially commenced after June 30, 1979, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, soil and water conservation districts, economic development authorities created or operating under sections 469.090 to 469.108, the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, the Red Wing Port Authority, the Spring Lake Park Fire Department, incorporated, the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department, incorporated, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, the Dakota County Agricultural Society, new text begin and new text end Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.deleted text begin , and the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and Minneapolis Police Relief Association with respect to staff covered by the Public Employees Retirement Association general plan.deleted text end

(c) Governmental subdivision does not mean any municipal housing and redevelopment authority organized under the provisions of sections 469.001 to 469.047; or any port authority organized under sections 469.048 to 469.089 other than the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul or the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth and other than the Red Wing Port Authority; or any hospital district organized or reorganized prior to July 1, 1975, under sections 447.31 to 447.37 or the successor of the district; or the board of a family service collaborative or children's mental health collaborative organized under sections 124D.23, 245.491 to 245.495, or 471.59, if that board is not controlled by representatives of governmental units.

(d) A nonprofit corporation governed by chapter 317A or organized under Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), which is not covered by paragraph (a) or (b), is not a governmental subdivision unless the entity has obtained a written advisory opinion from the United States Department of Labor or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service declaring the entity to be an instrumentality of the state so as to provide that any future contributions by the entity on behalf of its employees are contributions to a governmental plan within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code, section 414(d).

(e) A public body created by state or local authority may request membership on behalf of its employees by providing sufficient evidence that it meets the requirements in paragraph (a).

(f) An entity determined to be a governmental subdivision is subject to the reporting requirements of this chapter upon receipt of a written notice of eligibility from the association.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Salary.

(a) Subject to the limitations of section 356.611, "salary" means:

(1) the periodic compensation of a public employee, before deductions for deferred compensation, supplemental retirement plans, or other voluntary salary reduction programs, and also means "wages" and includes net income from fees;new text begin andnew text end

(2) for a public employee who is covered by a supplemental retirement plan under section 356.24, subdivision 1, clause (8), (9), or (10), which require all plan contributions be made by the employer, the contribution to the applicable supplemental retirement plan when an agreement between the parties establishes that the contribution will either result in a mandatory reduction of employees' wages through payroll withholdings, or be made in lieu of an amount that would otherwise be paid as wagesdeleted text begin ; anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin (3) for a public employee who has prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association or to which section 353.665 applies and who has elected coverage either under the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan under section 353A.08 following the consolidation or under section 353.665, subdivision 4, the rate of salary upon which member contributions to the special fund of the relief association were made prior to the effective date of the consolidation as specified by law and by bylaw provisions governing the relief association on the date of the initiation of the consolidation procedure and the actual periodic compensation of the public employee after the effective date of consolidation. deleted text end

(b) Salary does not mean:

(1) the fees paid to district court reporters, unused annual vacation or sick leave payments, in lump-sum or periodic payments, severance payments, reimbursement of expenses, lump-sum settlements not attached to a specific earnings period, or workers' compensation payments;

(2) employer-paid amounts used by an employee toward the cost of insurance coverage, employer-paid fringe benefits, flexible spending accounts, cafeteria plans, health care expense accounts, day care expenses, or any payments in lieu of any employer-paid group insurance coverage, including the difference between single and family rates that may be paid to a member with single coverage and certain amounts determined by the executive director to be ineligible;

(3) the amount equal to that which the employing governmental subdivision would otherwise pay toward single or family insurance coverage for a covered employee when, through a contract or agreement with some but not all employees, the employer:

(i) discontinues, or for new hires does not provide, payment toward the cost of the employee's selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer;

(ii) makes the employee solely responsible for all contributions toward the cost of the employee's selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer, including any amount the employer makes toward other employees' selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer; and

(iii) provides increased salary rates for employees who do not have any employer-paid group insurance coverages;

(4) except as provided in section 353.86 or 353.87, compensation of any kind paid to volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer firefighters, as defined in subdivision 35 or 36;

(5) the amount of compensation that exceeds the limitation provided in section 356.611; and

(6) amounts paid by a federal or state grant for which the grant specifically prohibits grant proceeds from being used to make pension plan contributions, unless the contributions to the plan are made from sources other than the federal or state grant.

(c) Amounts provided to an employee by the employer through a grievance proceeding or a legal settlement are salary only if the settlement is reviewed by the executive director and the amounts are determined by the executive director to be consistent with paragraph (a) and prior determinations.

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Allowable service; limits and computation.

(a) "Allowable service" means:

(1) service during years of actual membership in the course of which employee deductions were withheld from salary and contributions were made at the applicable rates under section 353.27, 353.65, or 353E.03;

(2) periods of service covered by payments in lieu of salary deductions under sections 353.27, subdivision 12, and 353.35;

(3) service in years during which the public employee was not a member but for which the member later elected, while a member, to obtain credit by making payments to the fund as permitted by any law then in effect;

(4) a period of authorized leave of absence with pay from which deductions for employee contributions are made, deposited, and credited to the fund;

(5) a period of authorized personal, parental, or medical leave of absence without pay, including a leave of absence covered under the federal Family Medical Leave Act, that does not exceed one year, and for which a member obtained service credit for each month in the leave period by payment under section 353.0161 to the fund made in place of salary deductions. An employee must return to public service and render a minimum of three months of allowable service in order to be eligible to make payment under section 353.0161 for a subsequent authorized leave of absence without pay. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

(6) a periodic, repetitive leave that is offered to all employees of a governmental subdivision. The leave program may not exceed 208 hours per annual normal work cycle as certified to the association by the employer. A participating member obtains service credit by making employee contributions in an amount or amounts based on the member's average salary, excluding overtime pay, that would have been paid if the leave had not been taken. The employer shall pay the employer and additional employer contributions on behalf of the participating member. The employee and the employer are responsible to pay interest on their respective shares at the rate of 8.5 percent a year, compounded annually, from the end of the normal cycle until full payment is made. An employer shall also make the employer and additional employer contributions, plus 8.5 percent interest, compounded annually, on behalf of an employee who makes employee contributions but terminates public service. The employee contributions must be made within one year after the end of the annual normal working cycle or within 30 days after termination of public service, whichever is sooner. The executive director shall prescribe the manner and forms to be used by a governmental subdivision in administering a periodic, repetitive leave. Upon payment, the member must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

(7) an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff under subdivision 12, limited to three months allowable service per authorized temporary or seasonal layoff in one calendar year. An employee who has received the maximum service credit allowed for an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff must return to public service and must obtain a minimum of three months of allowable service subsequent to the layoff in order to receive allowable service for a subsequent authorized temporary or seasonal layoff;

(8) a period during which a member is absent from employment by a governmental subdivision by reason of service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), if the member returns to public service with the same governmental subdivision upon discharge from service in the uniformed service within the time frames required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), provided that the member did not separate from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions. The service must be credited if the member pays into the fund equivalent employee contributions based upon the contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed multiplied by the full and fractional years being purchased and applied to the annual salary rate. The annual salary rate is the average annual salary, excluding overtime pay, during the purchase period that the member would have received if the member had continued to be employed in covered employment rather than to provide uniformed service, or, if the determination of that rate is not reasonably certain, the annual salary rate is the member's average salary rate, excluding overtime pay, during the 12-month period of covered employment rendered immediately preceding the period of the uniformed service. Payment of the member equivalent contributions must be made during a period that begins with the date on which the individual returns to public employment and that is three times the length of the military leave period, or within five years of the date of discharge from the military service, whichever is less. If the determined payment period is less than one year, the contributions required under this clause to receive service credit may be made within one year of the discharge date. Payment may not be accepted following 30 days after termination of public service under subdivision 11a. If the member equivalent contributions provided for in this clause are not paid in full, the member's allowable service credit must be prorated by multiplying the full and fractional number of years of uniformed service eligible for purchase by the ratio obtained by dividing the total member contributions received by the total member contributions otherwise required under this clause. The equivalent employer contribution, and, if applicable, the equivalent additional employer contribution must be paid by the governmental subdivision employing the member if the member makes the equivalent employee contributions. The employer payments must be made from funds available to the employing unit, using the employer and additional employer contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed, applied to the same annual salary rate or rates used to compute the equivalent member contribution. The governmental subdivision involved may appropriate money for those payments. The amount of service credit obtainable under this section may not exceed five years unless a longer purchase period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312. The employing unit shall pay interest on all equivalent member and employer contribution amounts payable under this clause. Interest must be computed at a rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the end of each fiscal year of the leave or the break in service to the end of the month in which the payment is received. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period; or

(9) a period specified under section 353.0162.

(b) For calculating benefits under sections 353.30, 353.31, 353.32, and 353.33 for state officers and employees displaced by the Community Corrections Act, chapter 401, and transferred into county service under section 401.04, "allowable service" means the combined years of allowable service as defined in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6), and section 352.01, subdivision 11.

deleted text begin (c) For a public employee who has prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association under chapter 353A or to which section 353.665 applies, and who has elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund either under section 353A.08 following the consolidation or under section 353.665, subdivision 4, "allowable service" is a period of service credited by the local police or firefighters relief association as of the effective date of the consolidation based on law and on bylaw provisions governing the relief association on the date of the initiation of the consolidation procedure. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end No member may receive more than 12 months of allowable service credit in a year either for vesting purposes or for benefit calculation purposes. For an active member who was an active member of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, "allowable service" is the period of service credited by the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association as reflected in the transferred records of the association up to December 30, 2011, and the period of service credited under paragraph (a), clause (1), after December 30, 2011. For an active member who was an active member of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, "allowable service" is the period of service credited by the Minneapolis Police Relief Association as reflected in the transferred records of the association up to December 30, 2011, and the period of service credited under paragraph (a), clause (1), after December 30, 2011.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end MS 2002 [Expired]

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.64, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Police and fire plan; other members.

(a) A person who deleted text begin prior to July 1, 1961, was a member of the police and fire plan, by virtue of being a police officer or firefighter, shall, as long as the person remains in either position, continue membership in the plan.deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) A person whodeleted text end was employed by a governmental subdivision as a police officer and was a member of the police and fire plan on July 1, 1978, by virtue of being a police officer as defined by this section on that date, and if employed by the same governmental subdivision in a position in the same department in which the person was employed on that date, continues to be a member of the plan, whether or not that person has the power of arrest by warrant and is licensed by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board after that date.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end A person who was employed as a correctional officer by Rice county before July 1, 1998, for the duration of employment in the correctional position held on July 1, 1998, continues to be a member of the public employees police and fire plan, whether or not the person has the power of arrest by warrant and is licensed by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board after that date.

deleted text begin (d) A person who was employed by a governmental subdivision as a police officer or a firefighter, whichever applies, was an active member of the local police or salaried firefighters relief association located in that governmental subdivision by virtue of that employment as of the effective date of the consolidation as authorized by sections 353A.01 to 353A.10, and has elected coverage by the public employees police and fire plan, shall become a member of the police and fire plan after that date if employed by the same governmental subdivision in a position in the same department in which the person was employed on that date. deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) Any police officer or firefighter of a relief association that has consolidated with the association for which the employee has not elected coverage by the public employees police and fire plan as provided in sections 353A.01 to 353A.10, or any police officer or firefighter to whom section 353.665 applies who has not elected coverage by the public employees police and fire plan as provided in section 353.665, subdivision 4, must become a member of the public employees police and fire plan, but is not subject to the provisions of sections 353.651 to 353.659 unless an election for such coverage is made under section 353.665, subdivision 4. deleted text end

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.659, is amended to read:

353.659 LOCAL RELIEF ASSOCIATION CONSOLIDATION ACCOUNT BENEFITS.

new text begin (a) new text end For any person who deleted text begin hasdeleted text end new text begin had new text end prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association which has deleted text begin consolidateddeleted text end new text begin merged new text end with the public employees new text begin police and fire new text end retirement deleted text begin associationdeleted text end new text begin plan new text end and who has elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan deleted text begin under section 353A.08 following the consolidationdeleted text end new text begin as permitted by the applicable lawnew text end , deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin the new text end retirement benefits payable are governed by the applicable provisions of this chapter.

new text begin (b)new text end For any person who deleted text begin hasdeleted text end new text begin had new text end prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association which has deleted text begin consolidateddeleted text end new text begin merged new text end with the public employees new text begin police and fire new text end retirement deleted text begin associationdeleted text end new text begin plan new text end and who deleted text begin hasdeleted text end new text begin did new text end not deleted text begin electeddeleted text end new text begin elect new text end the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan deleted text begin under section 353A.08 following the consolidationdeleted text end new text begin as permitted by the applicable lawnew text end , deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin the new text end retirement benefits payable are governed by the provisions of new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, new text end sections 353B.01 to 353B.13 which deleted text begin applydeleted text end new text begin applied new text end to the new text begin applicable former new text end relief associationnew text begin or by section 353.6511 or 353.6512, if applicablenew text end .

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.665, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Merger authorizeddeleted text end new text begin Applicationnew text end .

(a) deleted text begin Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, unless the applicable municipality elects otherwise under paragraph (b), everydeleted text end new text begin This section applies to the new text end local police and fire new text begin relief associations or new text end consolidation deleted text begin account under chapter 353A in existence on March 1, 1999, becomes a part ofdeleted text end new text begin accounts that merged with new text end the public employees police and fire plan and fund deleted text begin governed by sections 353.63 to 353.659 on July 1, 1999deleted text end new text begin and are specified in paragraph (b)new text end .

(b) deleted text begin If a municipality desires to retain its consolidation accountdeleted text end new text begin The former local police or fire relief associations new text end or consolidation accountsdeleted text begin , whichever applies, the governing body of the municipality must adopt a resolution to that effect and must file a copy of the resolution with the secretary of state, the state auditor, the legislative auditor, the management and budget commissioner, the revenue commissioner, the executive director of the public employees retirement association, and the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. The retention election must apply to both consolidation accounts if the municipality is associated with more than one consolidation account. The retention resolution must be adopted and filed with all recipients before June 15, 1999.deleted text end new text begin are:new text end

new text begin (1) the former local police and fire consolidation accounts that merged with the public employees police and fire retirement plan and fund under Laws 1999, chapter 222, article 4; new text end

new text begin (2) the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association; new text end

new text begin (3) the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association; new text end

new text begin (4) the former Fairmont Police Relief Association; and new text end

new text begin (5) the former Virginia Fire Consolidation Account. new text end

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.665, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Benefit coverage for deleted text begin retirees and benefit recipientsdeleted text end new text begin certain former local relief association or consolidation account membersnew text end .

(a) deleted text begin A person who received adeleted text end new text begin Except as provided in paragraph (b), (e), or (f), the annuity, new text end service pension, deleted text begin adeleted text end disability pension or benefit, or deleted text begin adeleted text end survivor benefit deleted text begin from a mergingdeleted text end new text begin attributable to or of a former member of a former merged new text end local police or fire consolidation account deleted text begin for the month of June 1999, anddeleted text end who deleted text begin hasdeleted text end new text begin did new text end not deleted text begin previously elected participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for any future postretirement adjustments rather than the postretirement adjustment mechanism or mechanisms of the relief association benefit plan under section 353A.08, subdivision 1, may elect participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for any future postretirement adjustments or retention of the postretirement adjustment mechanism or mechanisms of the relief association benefit plan as reflected in the applicable provisions of chapter 353B. This election must be in writing on a form prescribed by the executive director and must be made before September 1, 1999.deleted text end new text begin elect coverage by all or a portion of the public employees police and fire retirement plan as permitted by applicable law must be calculated or computed under the benefit plan provisions of the applicable former local police or paid firefighters relief association.new text end

(b) deleted text begin If an eligible person is a minor, the election must be made by the person's parent or legal guardian. If the eligible person makes no affirmative election under this subdivision, the person retains the postretirement adjustment mechanism or mechanisms of the relief association benefit plan as reflected in the applicable provisions of chapter 353B.deleted text end new text begin The annuity, service pension, disability pension or benefit, or survivor benefit attributable to or of a former member of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association who had that status as of December 29, 2011, continue after consolidation in the same amount and under the same terms as provided in chapter 423B or 423C, respectively, and the bylaws in effect as of that date, except that the unit value is governed by section 353.01, subdivisions 10a and 10b, respectively, and the postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2015, must be calculated solely under section 353.6511, subdivision 7.new text end

new text begin (c) On behalf of former members of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or Minneapolis Police Relief Association, the executive director shall withhold any health insurance or dental insurance premiums designated by the annuitant or benefit recipient and shall transfer them to the city of Minneapolis. The Public Employees Retirement Association may charge a necessary and reasonable monthly administrative fee to the city of Minneapolis for this function and bill it in addition to the employer contribution under section 353.65, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 13 to the contrary, the executive director shall provide the city of Minneapolis with the current addresses of former members of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the Minneapolis Police Relief Association. The city of Minneapolis shall continue to administer the health and dental insurance programs as constituted May 1, 2011, for the former members of the former Minneapolis relief associations. new text end

new text begin (d) The executive director shall cooperate with the Minneapolis firefighters fraternal association and the Minneapolis police fraternal association to ensure adequate communications with the former members of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association consistent with Public Employees Retirement Association policy. new text end

deleted text begin (c) The survivor benefit payable on behalf of any service pension or disability benefit recipient who elects participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund must be calculated under the relief association benefit plan in effect on the effective date of consolidation under chapter 353A as reflected in the applicable provisions of chapter 353B. deleted text end new text begin (e) The annuity, service pension, disability pension or benefit, or survivor benefit attributable to or of a former member of the former Fairmont Police Relief Association must be calculated or computed under Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 423.41 to 423.46, 423.48 to 423.59, 423.61, and 423.62; Laws 1963, chapter 423; Laws 1977, chapter 100; and Laws 1999, chapter 222, article 3, section 4, except that the annual base salary figure for pension and benefit determinations upon consolidation and for the balance of calendar year 2012 is $106,666.67 and after December 31, 2012, annual postretirement adjustments of pensions and benefits in force must be calculated solely under section 356.415, subdivision 1c. new text end

new text begin (f) The annuity, service pension, disability pension or benefit, or survivor benefit attributable to or of a former member of the former Virginia firefighters consolidation account must be calculated or computed under the election made under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353A.08, unless the person made a subsequent election under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.6691, subdivision 4, subject to any additional ad hoc postretirement adjustment under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.6691, subdivision 5, paragraph (d). new text end

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.665, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Continuing provisions; prior Minneapolis relief associations. new text end

new text begin (a) Health insurance account retention. The health insurance account of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the health insurance account of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association shall remain with the financial institution holding the applicable account on the effective date of this section, if the applicable financial institution adequately performs all trustee and fiduciary duties with respect to the applicable account as a condition of the retention of the account. new text end

new text begin (b) Health insurance account administrative expenses. Under Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 8, article 6, section 14, and article 7, section 14, three years of expected administrative expenses were prepaid from the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the Minneapolis Police Relief Association health insurance accounts to the financial institution holding the applicable account. After the three-year prepayment period, the beneficiaries of the applicable account are responsible for the payment of administrative expenses related to the operation of the account. new text end

new text begin (c) Successor in interest. The public employees police and fire retirement plan and fund is the successor in interest to all claims for or against the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association. The public employees police and fire retirement plan and fund is not liable for any claim against a former Minneapolis relief association, its governing board, or its administrative staff acting in a fiduciary capacity, under chapter 356A or common law, which is founded upon a claim of a breach of fiduciary duty if the act or acts constituting the claimed breach were not undertaken in good faith. The public employees police and fire retirement plan may assert any applicable defense to any claim in any judicial or administrative proceeding that the applicable Minneapolis relief association, its board, or its administrative staff would otherwise have been entitled to assert, and the public employees police and fire retirement plan may assert any applicable defense that it has in its capacity as a statewide agency. new text end

new text begin (d) Indemnification. The Public Employees Retirement Association shall indemnify any former fiduciary of the Minneapolis relief associations consistent with the provisions of section 356A.11. The indemnification may be effected by the purchase by the Public Employees Retirement Association of reasonable fiduciary liability tail insurance for the officers and directors of the former Minneapolis relief association. new text end

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.665, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Member and employer contributions.

(a) deleted text begin Effective on the first day of the first full pay period following June 30, 1999,deleted text end new text begin Except as provided in paragraph (b), (c), or (d), new text end the employee contribution rate for deleted text begin mergingdeleted text end new text begin merged new text end former consolidation account active members is the rate specified in section 353.65, subdivision 2, and the regular municipal contribution rate on behalf of new text begin merged new text end former consolidation account active members is the rate specified in section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(b) deleted text begin The municipality associated with a merging former local consolidation account that had a positive value amortizable base calculation under subdivision 7, paragraph (d), after the preliminary calculation or the second calculation, whichever applies, must make an additional municipal contribution to the public employees police and fire plan for the period from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2009. The amount of the additional municipal contribution is the amount calculated by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association by which the amortizable base amount would be amortized on a level dollar annual end-of-the-year contribution basis, using an 8.5 percent interest rate assumption. The additional municipal contribution is payable during the month of January, is without any interest, or if made after January 31, but before the next following December 31, is payable with interest for the period since January 1 at a rate which is equal to the preretirement interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8, applicable to the public employees police and fire fund expressed as a monthly rate and compounded on a monthly basis or if made after December 31 of the year in which the additional municipal contribution is due is payable with interest at a rate which is four percent greater than the highest interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8, expressed as a monthly rate and compounded monthly from January 1 of the year in which the additional municipal contribution is due until the date on which payment is made.deleted text end new text begin With respect to active members of the merged former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the merged former Minneapolis Police Relief Association, there are no employee contributions payable and the employer contribution on behalf of those active members is at the rate specified in section 353.65, subdivision 3, applied to the active member's salary. In addition, an additional municipal contribution is payable by the city of Minneapolis annually on July 15, set at the amount calculated as of December 30, 2011, as sufficient to amortize, on a level annual dollar basis by December 31, 2031, the unfunded present value figure calculated as required by Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.667, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), and Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.668, subdivision 6, paragraph (a). If the postretirement or preretirement interest rate actuarial assumption applicable to the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 356.215, subdivision 8, is modified from the rates specified in Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.215, subdivision 8, the remainder present value of future benefits amount calculation under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.667, subdivision 6, and Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.668, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), updated for the passage of time, must be revised and the amortization contribution by the city of Minneapolis for the balance of the amortization period must be redetermined by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and certified by the executive director to the city of Minneapolis.new text end

new text begin (c) If there are assets of the former Fairmont Police Relief Association in excess of the present value of future benefits as of June 29, 2012, these assets must be credited to an interest-bearing suspense account within the public employees police and fire retirement fund, must be used to offset any amount payable under paragraph (a) until June 30, 2015, and, after June 30, 2015, must be paid to the city of Fairmont. The suspense account must be credited with the same rate of investment return as the public employees police and fire retirement fund. If, after June 29, 2012, the postretirement or preretirement interest rate actuarial assumption applicable to the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 356.215, subdivision 8, is modified from the rates specified in Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.215, subdivision 8, the remainder present value of future benefits amount calculation under paragraph (a), updated for the passage of time, must be revised and the amortization contribution by the city of Fairmont for the balance of the amortization period must be redetermined by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and certified by the executive director to the city of Fairmont. new text end

new text begin (d) If there was a remainder present value of future benefits amounts under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.6691, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), the city of Virginia shall pay an additional municipal contribution annually on or before December 31 sufficient to amortize on a level annual dollar basis by December 31, 2020, that remainder present value of future benefits amounts of the former Virginia fire department consolidation account. If, after June 29, 2012, the postretirement or preretirement interest rate actuarial assumption applicable to the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 356.215, subdivision 8, is modified from the rates specified in Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.215, subdivision 8, the remainder present value of future benefits amount calculation under paragraph (a), updated for the passage of time, must be revised and any amortization contribution by the city of Virginia for the balance of the amortization period must be redetermined by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and certified by the executive director to the city of Virginia. new text end

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.71, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility.

Any person who has been a member of a defined benefit retirement plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association, or a retirement plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System, or the Teachers Retirement Association, or any other public retirement system in the state of Minnesota having a like provision, except a retirement plan providing benefits for police officers or firefighters governed by sections deleted text begin 69.77 ordeleted text end 69.771 to 69.776, new text begin or by sections 31 to 42, new text end is entitled, when qualified, to an annuity from each retirement plan if the total allowable service in all retirement plans or in any two of these retirement plans totals the number of years of allowable service required to receive a normal retirement annuity for that retirement plan, provided that no portion of the allowable service upon which the retirement annuity from one retirement plan is based is again used in the computation for benefits from another retirement plan and provided further that the person has not taken a refund from any one of these retirement plans since the person's membership in that association or system last terminated. The annuity from each fund must be determined by the appropriate provisions of the law except that the requirement that a person must have at least a specific minimum period of allowable service in the respective association or system does not apply for the purposes of this section if the combined service in two or more of these retirement plans equals the number of years of allowable service required to receive a normal retirement annuity for that retirement plan.

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Covered public pension plans and funds.

This section applies to the following public pension plans:

(1) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System;

(2) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(3) the Teachers Retirement Association;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan;

(5) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(6) the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(7) the University of Minnesota faculty retirement plan;

(8) the University of Minnesota faculty supplemental retirement plan;

(9) the judges retirement fund;

(10) deleted text begin a police or firefighter's relief association specified or described in section 69.77, subdivision 1adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Associationnew text end ;

(11) a volunteer firefighter relief association governed by section 69.771, subdivision 1;

(12) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(13) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System;

(14) the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; and

(15) the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan.

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.215, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18.

Establishment of actuarial assumptions.

(a) Before July 2, 2010, the actuarial assumptions used for the preparation of actuarial valuations under this section that are other than preretirement interest, postretirement interest, salary increase, and payroll increase may be changed only with the approval of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement or after a period of one year has elapsed since the date on which the proposed assumption change or changes were received by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement without commission action.

(b) After July 1, 2010, the actuarial assumptions used for the preparation of actuarial valuations under this section that are other than postretirement interest and preretirement interest may be changed only with the approval of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement or after a period of one year has elapsed since the date on which the proposed assumption change or changes were received by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement without commission action.

(c) A change in the applicable actuarial assumptions may be proposed by the governing board of the applicable pension fund or relief association, by the actuary retained by the joint retirement systems under section 356.214 or by the actuary retained by a local police or firefighters relief association governed by sections deleted text begin 69.77 ordeleted text end 69.771 to 69.776new text begin or by sections 31 to 42new text end , if one is retained.

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.216, is amended to read:

356.216 CONTENTS OF ACTUARIAL VALUATIONS FOR LOCAL deleted text begin POLICE AND FIRE FUNDSdeleted text end new text begin MONTHLY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RELIEF ASSOCIATIONSnew text end .

The provisions of section 356.215 that govern the contents of actuarial valuations deleted text begin mustdeleted text end apply to new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association and to new text end any local deleted text begin police or fire pension fund ordeleted text end new text begin monthly volunteer firefighter new text end relief association required to make an actuarial report under this section, except as follows:

deleted text begin (1) in calculating normal cost and other requirements, if required to be expressed as a level percentage of covered payroll, the salaries used in computing covered payroll must be the maximum rate of salary on which retirement and survivorship credits and amounts of benefits are determined and from which any member contributions are calculated and deducted; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end in lieu of the amortization date specified in section 356.215, subdivision 11, the appropriate amortization target date specified in new text begin clause (2) or new text end section deleted text begin 69.77, subdivision 4, ordeleted text end 69.773, subdivision 4, deleted text begin clausedeleted text end new text begin paragraphnew text end (c), must be used in calculating any required amortization contributiondeleted text begin , except that if the actuarial reportdeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2)new text end for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association deleted text begin indicates andeleted text end new text begin , anynew text end unfunded actuarial accrued liabilitydeleted text begin , the unfunded obligation is todeleted text end new text begin must new text end be amortized on a level dollar basis by December 31 of the year occurring 20 years deleted text begin laterdeleted text end new text begin after the year in which the unfunded actuarial accrued liability initially occurrednew text end , andnew text begin ,new text end if subsequent actuarial valuations for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association deleted text begin determinedeleted text end new text begin indicate new text end a net actuarial experience loss incurred during the year which ended as of the day before the most recent actuarial valuation date, any unfunded new text begin actuarial accrued new text end liability due to that loss is to be amortized on a level dollar basis by December 31 of the year occurring 20 years deleted text begin laterdeleted text end new text begin after the year in which the net actuarial experience loss occurrednew text end ;

(3) in addition to the tabulation of active members and annuitants provided for in section 356.215, subdivision 13, deleted text begin the member contributions for active members for the calendar year anddeleted text end the prospective annual deleted text begin retirement annuitiesdeleted text end new text begin service pensions new text end under the benefit plan for active members must be reported;

(4) actuarial valuations required under section new text begin 39 must be made annually and actuarial valuations required under section new text end 69.773, subdivision 2, must be made deleted text begin at leastdeleted text end every four years deleted text begin and actuarial valuations required under section 69.77 shall be made annuallydeleted text end new text begin or as frequently as required by generally accepted accounting principles in the government sector, whichever frequency requirement is shorternew text end ;

(5) the actuarial balance sheet showing accrued assets valued at market value deleted text begin if the actuarial valuation is required to be prepared at least every four years or valued as current assets under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (b) or (f), whichever applies, if the actuarial valuation is required to be prepared annuallydeleted text end , actuarial accrued liabilities, and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability must include the following required reserves:

(i) for active members:

deleted text begin 1.deleted text end new text begin (A)new text end retirement benefitsnew text begin or service pensionsnew text end ;

deleted text begin 2.deleted text end new text begin (B)new text end disability benefits;new text begin andnew text end

deleted text begin 3. refund liability due to death or withdrawal; deleted text end

deleted text begin 4.deleted text end new text begin (C) new text end survivors' benefits;

(ii) for deferred annuitants' benefits;

(iii) for former members without vested rights;

(iv) for annuitantsdeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin :new text end

deleted text begin 1.deleted text end new text begin (A)new text end retirement annuitiesnew text begin or service pensionsnew text end ;

deleted text begin 2.deleted text end new text begin (B)new text end disability annuities;new text begin andnew text end

deleted text begin 3. surviving spouses' annuities; deleted text end

deleted text begin 4. surviving children's annuities; deleted text end new text begin (C) survivor benefits. new text end

In addition to those required reserves, separate items must be shown for additional benefits, if any, which may not be appropriately included in the reserves listed above; and

(6) actuarial valuations are due new text begin to be filed with the state auditor new text end by the first day of the seventh month after the end of the fiscal year which the actuarial valuation covers.

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.219, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Report required.

(a) The State Board of Investment, on behalf of the public pension funds and programs for which it is the investment authority, and any Minnesota public pension plan that is not fully invested through the State Board of Investment, including new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association and new text end a local deleted text begin police ordeleted text end new text begin volunteer new text end firefighters relief association governed by sections deleted text begin 69.77 ordeleted text end 69.771 to 69.775, shall report the information specified in subdivision 3 to the state auditor. The state auditor may prescribe a form or forms for the purposes of the reporting requirements contained in this section.

(b) new text begin The Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association and new text end a local deleted text begin police ordeleted text end new text begin volunteer new text end firefighters relief association governed by deleted text begin section 69.77 ordeleted text end sections 69.771 to 69.775 is fully invested during a given calendar year for purposes of this section if all assets of the applicable pension plan beyond sufficient cash equivalent investments to cover six months expected expenses are invested under section 11A.17. The board of any fully invested public pension plan remains responsible for submitting investment policy statements and subsequent revisions as required by subdivision 3, paragraph (a).

(c) For purposes of this section, the State Board of Investment is considered to be the investment authority for any Minnesota public pension fund required to be invested by the State Board of Investment under section 11A.23, or for any Minnesota public pension fund authorized to invest in the supplemental investment fund under section 11A.17 and which is fully invested by the State Board of Investment.

(d) This section does not apply to the following plans:

(1) the Minnesota unclassified employees retirement program under chapter 352D;

(2) the public employees defined contribution plan under chapter 353D;

(3) the individual retirement account plans under chapters 354B and 354D;

(4) the higher education supplemental retirement plan under chapter 354C;

(5) any alternative retirement benefit plan established under section 383B.914; and

(6) the University of Minnesota faculty retirement plan.

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.219, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Asset class definition.

(a) For purposes of this section, "asset class" means any of the following asset groupings as authorized in applicable law, bylaws, or articles of incorporation:

(1) cash and any cash equivalent investments with maturities of one year or less when issued;

(2) debt securities with maturities greater than one year when issued, including but not limited to mortgage participation certificates and pools, asset backed securities, guaranteed investment contracts, and authorized government and corporate obligations of corporations organized under laws of the United States or any state, or the Dominion of Canada or its provinces;

(3) stocks or convertible issues of any corporation organized under laws of the United States or any state, or the Dominion of Canada or its provinces, or any corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange;

(4) international stocks or convertible issues;

(5) international debt securities; and

(6) real estate and venture capital.

(b) If the pension plan is investing deleted text begin under section 69.77, subdivision 9, section 69.775, or any other applicable law,deleted text end in open-end investment companies registered under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, or in the Minnesota supplemental investment fund under section 11A.17, this investment must be included under an asset class indicated in paragraph (a), clauses (1) through (6), as appropriate. If the investment vehicle includes underlying securities from more than one asset class as indicated by paragraph (a), clauses (1) through (6), the investment may be treated as a separate asset class.

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.219, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Timing of reports.

(a) For deleted text begin salaried firefighter relief associations, policedeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief deleted text begin associations,deleted text end new text begin Association new text end and new text begin the new text end volunteer firefighter relief associations, the information required under this section must be submitted by the due date for reports required under section 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, as applicable. If a relief association satisfies the definition of a fully invested plan under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), for the calendar year covered by the report required under section 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, as applicable, the chief administrative officer of the covered pension plan shall certify that compliance on a form prescribed by the state auditor. The state auditor shall transmit annually to the State Board of Investment a list or lists of covered pension plans which submitted certifications in order to facilitate reporting by the State Board of Investment under paragraph (c).

(b) For the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and the University of Minnesota faculty supplemental retirement plan, the information required under this section must be submitted to the state auditor by June 1 of each year.

(c) The State Board of Investment, on behalf of pension funds specified in subdivision 1, paragraph (c), must report information required under this section by September 1 of each year.

Sec. 66.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.406, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) Each of the words or terms defined in this subdivision has the meaning indicated.

(b) "Public pension plan" means any retirement plan or fund enumerated in section 356.20, subdivision 2, or 356.30, subdivision 3, new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association, new text end any relief association governed by deleted text begin section 69.77 ordeleted text end sections 69.771 to 69.775, any retirement plan governed by chapter 354B or 354C, the Hennepin County supplemental retirement plan governed by sections 383B.46 to 383B.52, or any housing and redevelopment authority retirement plan.

(c) "Public pension plan member" means a person who is a participant covered by a public pension plan; a former participant of a public pension plan who has sufficient service to be entitled to receive a future retirement annuity or service pension; a recipient of a retirement annuity, service pension, or disability benefit from a public pension plan; or a former participant of a public pension plan who has member or employee contributions to the person's credit in the public pension plan.

(d) "Survivor" means the surviving spouse, a former spouse, a surviving child, a joint annuitant, a designated recipient of a second or remainder portion of an optional annuity form, a beneficiary, or the estate of a deceased public pension plan member, as those terms are commonly understood or defined in the benefit plan document of the public pension plan.

(e) "Survivor benefit" means a surviving spouse benefit, surviving child benefit, second or remainder portion of an optional annuity form, a death benefit, a funeral benefit, or a refund of member or employee contributions payable on account of the death of a public pension plan member as provided for in the benefit plan document of the public pension plan.

Sec. 67.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356A.01, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

Pension fund.

"Pension fund" means the assets amassed and held in a pension plan, other than the general fund, as reserves for present and future payment of benefits and administrative expenses. For new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association or new text end a retirement plan governed by section 69.77 or by chapter 424A, the term means the relief association special fund.

Sec. 68.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356A.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Economic interest statement.

(a) Each member of the governing board of a covered pension plan and the chief administrative officer of the plan shall file with the plan a statement of economic interest.

(b) For a covered pension plan other than a plan specified in paragraph (c), the statement must contain the information required by section 10A.09, subdivision 5, and any other information that the fiduciary or the governing board of the plan determines is necessary to disclose a reasonably foreseeable potential or actual conflict of interest.

(c) For a covered pension plan governed by sections 69.771 to 69.776 or deleted text begin a covered pension plan governed by section 69.77 withdeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association if its special fund new text end assets new text begin are new text end under $8,000,000, the statement must contain the following:

(1) the person's principal occupation and principal place of business;

(2) whether or not the person has an ownership of or interest of ten percent or greater in an investment security brokerage business, a real estate sales business, an insurance agency, a bank, a savings and loan, or another financial institution; and

(3) any relationship or financial arrangement that can reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest.

(d) The statement must be filed annually with the chief administrative officer of the plan and be available for public inspection during regular office hours at the office of the pension plan.

(e) A disclosure form meeting the requirements of the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940, United States Code, title 15, sections 80b-1 to 80b-21 as amended, and filed with the State Board of Investment or the pension plan meets the requirements of this subdivision.

(f) The chief administrative officer of each covered pension plan, by January 15, annually, shall transmit a certified listing of all individuals who have filed statements of economic interest with the plan under this subdivision during the preceding 12 months and the address of the office referenced in paragraph (d) to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

Sec. 69.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356A.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Annual financial report.

A covered pension plan shall provide each active plan participant and benefit recipient with a copy of the most recent annual financial report required by section 356.20 and a copy of the most recent actuarial evaluation, if any, required by section deleted text begin 69.77,deleted text end 69.773, 356.215, or 356.216, new text begin or by section 39, new text end or a summary of those reports.

Sec. 70.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Amortization state aid.

(a) deleted text begin A municipality in which is located a local police or salaried firefighters relief association to which the provisions of section 69.77, apply, that had an unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the most recent relief association actuarial valuation, is entitled, upon application as required by the commissioner of revenue, to receive local police and salaried firefighters' relief association amortization state aid if the municipality and the appropriate relief association both comply with the applicable provisions of sections 69.031, subdivision 5, 69.051, subdivisions 1 and 3, and 69.77.deleted text end new text begin The cities of Fairmont and Minneapolis are entitled, subject to subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, to receive amortization state aid under this section.new text end

(b) The total amount of amortization state aid to all entitled municipalities must not exceed deleted text begin $5,055,000deleted text end new text begin the appropriation under subdivision 3anew text end .

(c) deleted text begin Subject to the adjustment for the city of Minneapolis provided in this paragraph, the amount of amortization state aid to which a municipality is entitled annually is an amount equal to the level annual dollar amount required to amortize, by December 31, 2010, the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the special fund of the appropriate relief association as reported in the December 31, 1978, actuarial valuation of the relief association prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216, reduced by the dollar amount required to pay the interest on the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association for calendar year 1981 set at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes 1978, section 356.215, subdivision 8. For the city of Minneapolis, the amortization state aid amount thus determined must be reduced by $747,232 on account of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association and by $772,768 on account of the former Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association.deleted text end new text begin The amortization state aid amounts are:new text end

new text begin City new text end new text begin Aid Amount new text end
new text begin Fairmont new text end new text begin $24,172 new text end
new text begin Minneapolis new text end new text begin $2,728,547 new text end

If the amortization state aid amounts determined under this paragraph exceed the amount appropriated for this purposenew text begin under subdivision 3anew text end , the amortization state aid for actual allocation must be reduced pro rata.

(d) new text begin Each municipality is eligible for an amortization state aid payment in a fiscal year if:new text end

new text begin (1) for Fairmont, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association certifies on or before June 30 that a municipal contribution with respect to the former Fairmont Police Relief Association is payable in the upcoming fiscal year under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (c); and new text end

new text begin (2) for Minneapolis, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association certifies on or before June 30 that an additional employer contribution with respect to either the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association is payable in the upcoming fiscal year under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b). new text end

Payment of amortization state aid to municipalities must be made deleted text begin directlydeleted text end to the municipalities involved in three equal installments on July 15, September 15, and November 15 annually. Upon receipt of amortization state aid, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the aid amount to the deleted text begin treasurerdeleted text end new text begin custodian new text end of the local deleted text begin relief associationdeleted text end new text begin trust fund or to the executive director of the public employees police and fire retirement fund, whichever applies, new text end for immediate deposit deleted text begin in the special fund of the relief associationdeleted text end .

(e) The commissioner of revenue shall new text begin administer the amortization state aid program. The commissioner shall new text end prescribe and periodically revisenew text begin , as necessary,new text end the deleted text begin form for anddeleted text end new text begin required new text end content of the deleted text begin applicationdeleted text end new text begin certifications new text end for deleted text begin thedeleted text end amortization state aid.

deleted text begin (f) The amount required under this section, as provided in subdivision 3a, is appropriated annually from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue. deleted text end

Sec. 71.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Additional amortization state aid.

deleted text begin (a) Annually, on October 1, the commissioner of revenue shall allocate the additional amortization state aid transferred under section 69.021, subdivision 11, to: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) all police or salaried firefighters relief associations governed by and in full compliance with the requirements of section 69.77, that had an unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the actuarial valuation prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216 as of the preceding December 31; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) all local police or salaried firefighter consolidation accounts governed by chapter 353A that are certified by the executive director of the public employees retirement association as having for the current fiscal year an additional municipal contribution amount under section 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), and that have implemented section 353A.083, subdivision 1, if the effective date of the consolidation preceded May 24, 1993, and that have implemented section 353A.083, subdivision 2, if the effective date of the consolidation preceded June 1, 1995; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the municipalities that are required to make an additional municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8; 353.667, subdivision 6; or 353.668, subdivision 6, for the duration of the required additional contribution. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) The commissioner shall allocate the state aid on the basis of the proportional share of the relief association or consolidation account of the total unfunded actuarial accrued liability of all recipient relief associations and consolidation accounts as of December 31, 1993, for relief associations, and as of June 30, 1994, for consolidation accounts. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end Beginning October 1, deleted text begin 2000deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall allocate the new text begin additional amortization new text end state aid, including any state aid in excess of the limitation in subdivision 4, on the following basis:

deleted text begin (1) 64.5 percent to the municipalities to which section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), or 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), apply for distribution in accordance with paragraph (b) and subject to the limitation in subdivision 4; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) 34.2deleted text end new text begin (1) 47.1 new text end percent to the city of Minneapolis to deleted text begin fund any unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the actuarial valuation prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216 as of the preceding December 31 for the Minneapolis Police Relief Association or the Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association; anddeleted text end new text begin defray the employer costs associated with police and firefighter retirement coverage;new text end

new text begin (2) 25.8 percent as additional funding to support the minimum fire state aid for volunteer firefighter relief associations under section 69.021, subdivision 7, paragraph (d); new text end

new text begin (3) 12.9 percent to the city of Duluth to defray employer costs associated with police and firefighter retirement coverage; new text end

new text begin (4) 12.9 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association if the investment performance requirement of paragraph (c) is met; and new text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end 1.3 percent to the city of Virginia to deleted text begin fund any unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the actuarial valuation prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216 as of the preceding December 31 for the Virginia Fire Department Relief Associationdeleted text end new text begin defray the employer contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (d)new text end .

If there is no deleted text begin unfunded actuarial accrued liability in bothdeleted text end new text begin additional employer contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), certified under subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clause (2), with respect to new text end the new text begin former new text end Minneapolis Police Relief Association and the new text begin former new text end Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association deleted text begin as disclosed in the most recent actuarial valuations for the relief associations prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216deleted text end , the commissioner shall allocate that deleted text begin 34.2deleted text end new text begin 47.1 new text end percent of the aid as follows: 49 percent to the Teachers Retirement Association, 21 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and 30 percent as additional funding to support minimum fire state aid for volunteer firefighters relief associations. If there is no deleted text begin unfunded actuarial accrued liability indeleted text end new text begin employer contribution by new text end the new text begin city of new text end Virginia deleted text begin Fire Department Relief Association as disclosed in the most recent actuarial valuation for the relief association prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216deleted text end new text begin under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (d), for the former Virginia Fire Department Relief Association certified on or before June 30 by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Associationnew text end , the commissioner shall allocate that 1.3 percent of the aid as follows: 49 percent to the Teachers Retirement Association, 21 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and 30 percent as additional funding to support minimum fire state aid for volunteer firefighters relief associations. deleted text begin Upon the final payment to municipalities required by section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), or 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), the commissioner shall allocate that 64.5 percent of the aid as follows: 20 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, 20 percent to the city of Minneapolis to fund any unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the actuarial valuation proposed under sections 356.215 and 356.216 as of the preceding December 31 for the Minneapolis Police Relief Association or the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association, 20 percent for the city of Duluth to pay for any costs associated with the police and firefighters pensions, and 40 percent as additional funding to support minimum fire state aid for volunteer firefighters relief associations.deleted text end

new text begin (b)new text end The allocation must be made by the commissioner deleted text begin at the same time and under the same procedures as specified in subdivision 3deleted text end new text begin of revenue on October 1 annuallynew text end .

new text begin (c)new text end With respect to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, annually, deleted text begin beginning on July 1, 2005,deleted text end if the deleted text begin applicabledeleted text end teacher's association five-year average time-weighted rate of investment return does not equal or exceed the performance of a composite portfolio assumed passively managed (indexed) invested ten percent in cash equivalents, 60 percent in bonds and similar debt securities, and 30 percent in domestic stock calculated using the formula under section 11A.04, clause (11), the aid allocation to deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin the new text end retirement fund under this section ceases until the five-year annual rate of investment return equals or exceeds the performance of that composite portfolio.

(d) The amounts required under this subdivision are the amounts annually appropriated to the commissioner of revenue under section 69.021, subdivision 11, paragraph (e)new text begin , and the aid amounts in excess of the limitation in subdivision 4new text end .

Sec. 72.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Continued eligibility.

A municipality that deleted text begin has qualified for amortization state aid under subdivision 1 on December 31, 1984, and has an additional municipal contribution payable under section 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), as of the most recent December 31, continues upon application to be entitled to receive amortization state aid under subdivision 1 and supplementary amortization state aid under subdivision 1a, after the local police or salaried firefighters' relief association has been consolidated into the public employees police and fire fund. If a municipality loses entitlement for amortization state aid and supplementary amortization state aid in any year because of not having an additional municipal contribution under section 353A.09, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), the municipality is not entitled to the aid amounts in any subsequent year. A municipality that received amortization aid in 1999 and is required to make an additional municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, continues to qualify for the amortization state aid and the supplemental amortization aid until December 31, 2009deleted text end new text begin received amortization aid in 2011 and is required to make a municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), (c), or (d), whichever applies, continues to qualify for amortization state aid for the duration of the applicable municipal contributionnew text end .

Sec. 73.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Reallocation of amortization deleted text begin or supplementary amortizationdeleted text end state aid.

(a) Seventy percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid deleted text begin and supplemental amortization aiddeleted text end distributed under deleted text begin subdivisionsdeleted text end new text begin subdivisionnew text end 1 deleted text begin and 1adeleted text end that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality deleted text begin for use by a local police or salaried fire relief associationdeleted text end must be distributed by the commissioner of revenue according to this paragraph. The commissioner shall distribute 50 percent of the amounts derived under this paragraph to the Teachers Retirement Association, ten percent to the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and 40 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association to fund the unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities of the respective funds. These payments deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be made on deleted text begin or before June 30deleted text end new text begin July 15 new text end each fiscal year. If the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association new text begin or the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association new text end becomes fully funded, deleted text begin itsdeleted text end new text begin the association's new text end eligibility for new text begin its portion of new text end this aid ceases. Amounts remaining in the undistributed balance account at the end of the biennium if aid eligibility ceases cancel to the general fund.

(b) In order to receive amortization deleted text begin and supplementary amortizationdeleted text end aid under paragraph (a), deleted text begin prior todeleted text end new text begin before new text end June 30 new text begin annually new text end Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, must make an additional contribution of $800,000 each year to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(c) Thirty percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid deleted text begin and supplemental amortization aiddeleted text end under deleted text begin subdivisions 1 anddeleted text end new text begin subdivisionnew text end 1a that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality deleted text begin for use by a local police or salaried firefighter relief associationdeleted text end must be distributed under section 69.021, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), as additional funding to support a minimum fire state aid amount for volunteer firefighter relief associations.

Sec. 74.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Appropriations for amortization state aiddeleted text begin ; supplementary amortization state aid;deleted text end and amortization state aid deleted text begin and supplementary state aiddeleted text end reallocations.

deleted text begin $4,720,000deleted text end new text begin $5,720,000 new text end is annually appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue for amortization state aid under subdivision 1, and for the reallocation of amortization aid under subdivision 3. deleted text begin $1,000,000 is annually appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue for supplementary amortization state aid under subdivision 1a, and for the reallocation of supplementary amortization state aid under subdivision 3.deleted text end

Sec. 75.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Limit on certain total aid amounts.

(a) The total of amortization aiddeleted text begin , supplemental amortization aid,deleted text end and additional amortization aid under this section payable to a municipality to which section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), new text begin (c), or (d), new text end applies, may not exceed the amount of the additional municipal contribution payable by an individual municipality under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b)new text begin , (c), or (d)new text end .

(b) Any aid amount in excess of the limit under this subdivision for an individual municipality must be redistributed to the other municipalities to which section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), new text begin (c), or (d), new text end applies. The excess aid must be distributed in proportion to each municipality's additional municipal contribution under section 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b)new text begin , (c), or (d)new text end .

(c) When the total aid for each municipality under this section equals the limit under paragraph (a), any aid in excess of the limit must be redistributed under subdivision 1b.

Sec. 76.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 423A.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Termination of state aid programs.

The amortization state aiddeleted text begin , supplemental amortization state aid,deleted text end and additional amortization state aid programs terminate as of the December 31, next following the date of the actuarial valuation when the assets of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association equal the actuarial accrued liability of that plan or deleted text begin December 31, 2009deleted text end new text begin when the assets of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association equal the actuarial accrued liability of that plannew text end , whichever is later.

Sec. 77.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.001, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Relief association.

(a) "Relief association" or "volunteer firefighters' relief association" means a volunteer firefighters' relief association or a volunteer firefighters' division or account of a partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association that is:

(1) organized and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation to provide retirement benefits to volunteer firefighters under chapter 317A and any laws of the state;

(2) governed by this chapter and sections 69.771 to 69.775; and

(3) directly associated with:

(i) a fire department established by municipal ordinance;

(ii) an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation that is organized under the provisions of chapter 317A and that operates primarily for firefighting purposes; or

(iii) a fire department operated as or by a joint powers entity that operates primarily for firefighting purposes.

(b) "Relief association" or "volunteer firefighters' relief association" does not mean:

(1) the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association governed by deleted text begin section 69.77deleted text end new text begin sections 31 to 42new text end ; Minnesota Statutes 2000, chapter 424; and Laws 1965, chapter 446, as amended; or

(2) the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan governed by chapter 353G.

(c) A relief association or volunteer firefighters' relief association is a governmental entity that receives and manages public money to provide retirement benefits for individuals providing the governmental services of firefighting and emergency first response.

Sec. 78.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.02, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Limitation on ancillary benefits.

A defined benefit relief association, including any volunteer firefighters relief association governed by deleted text begin section 69.77deleted text end new text begin sections 31 to 42 new text end or any volunteer firefighters division of a relief association governed by chapter 424, may only pay ancillary benefits which would constitute an authorized disbursement as specified in section 424A.05 subject to the following requirements or limitations:

(1) with respect to a defined benefit relief association in which governing bylaws provide solely for a lump-sum service pension to a retiring member, or provide a retiring member the choice of either a lump-sum service pension or a monthly service pension and the lump-sum service pension was chosen, no ancillary benefit may be paid to any former member or paid to any person on behalf of any former member after the former member (i) terminates active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association; and (ii) commences receipt of a service pension as authorized under this section; and

(2) with respect to any defined benefit relief association, no ancillary benefit paid or payable to any member, to any former member, or to any person on behalf of any member or former member, may exceed in amount the total earned service pension of the member or former member. The total earned service pension must be calculated by multiplying the service pension amount specified in the bylaws of the relief association at the time of death or disability, whichever applies, by the years of service credited to the member or former member. The years of service must be determined as of (i) the date the member or former member became entitled to the ancillary benefit; or (ii) the date the member or former member died entitling a survivor or the estate of the member or former member to an ancillary benefit. The ancillary benefit must be calculated without regard to whether the member had attained the minimum amount of service and membership credit specified in the governing bylaws. For active members, the amount of a permanent disability benefit or a survivor benefit must be equal to the member's total earned service pension except that the bylaws of a defined benefit relief association may provide for the payment of a survivor benefit in an amount not to exceed five times the yearly service pension amount specified in the bylaws on behalf of any member who dies before having performed five years of active service in the fire department with which the relief association is affiliated.

(3)(i) If a lump sum survivor or death benefit is payable under the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the benefit must be paid:

(A) as a survivor benefit to the surviving spouse of the deceased firefighter;

(B) as a survivor benefit to the surviving children of the deceased firefighter if no surviving spouse;

(C) as a survivor benefit to a designated beneficiary of the deceased firefighter if no surviving spouse or surviving children; or

(D) as a death benefit to the estate of the deceased active or deferred firefighter if no surviving children and no beneficiary designated.

(ii) If there are no surviving children, the surviving spouse may waive, in writing, wholly or partially, the spouse's entitlement to a survivor benefit.

(4)(i) If a monthly benefit survivor or death benefit is payable under the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the benefit must be paid:

(A) as a survivor benefit to the surviving spouse of the deceased firefighter;

(B) as a survivor benefit to the surviving children of the deceased firefighter if no surviving spouse;

(C) as a survivor benefit to a designated beneficiary of the deceased firefighter if no surviving spouse or surviving children; or

(D) as a death benefit to the estate of the deceased active or deferred firefighter if no surviving spouse, no surviving children, and no beneficiary designated.

(ii) If there are no surviving children, the surviving spouse may waive, in writing, wholly or partially, the spouse's entitlement to a survivor benefit.

(iii) For purposes of this clause, if the relief association bylaws authorize a monthly survivor benefit payable to a designated beneficiary, the relief association bylaws may limit the total survivor benefit amount payable.

(5) For purposes of this section, for a monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association or for a combination lump-sum and monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association where a monthly benefit service pension has been elected by or a monthly benefit is payable with respect to a firefighter, a designated beneficiary must be a natural person. For purposes of this section, for a lump-sum volunteer fire relief association or for a combination lump-sum and monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association where a lump-sum service pension has been elected by or a lump-sum benefit is payable with respect to a firefighter, a trust created under chapter 501B may be a designated beneficiary. If a trust is payable to the surviving children organized under chapter 501B as authorized by this section and there is no surviving spouse, the survivor benefit may be paid to the trust, notwithstanding a requirement of this section to the contrary.

Sec. 79.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 475.52, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Certain purposes.

Any municipality may issue bonds for paying judgments against it; for refunding outstanding bonds; for funding floating indebtedness; for funding actuarial liabilities to pay postemployment benefits to employees or officers after their termination of service; or for funding all or part of the municipality's current and future unfunded liability for a pension or retirement fund or plan referred to in section 356.20, subdivision 2, as those liabilities are most recently computed under sections 356.215 and 356.216. The board of trustees or directors of deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the Bloomington Fire Department new text end Relief Association deleted text begin referred to in section 69.77deleted text end must consent and must be a party to any contract made under this section with respect to the fund held by it for the benefit of and in trust for its members. For purposes of this section, the term "postemployment benefits" means benefits giving rise to a liability under Statement No. 45 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

Sec. 80.

new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin (a) The revisor of statutes shall not show the text of Minnesota Statutes, section 69.77, and shall add the note in Minnesota Statutes, section 69.77, "CITY OF BLOOMINGTON; LOCAL." new text end

new text begin (b) In Minnesota Statutes 2014 and subsequent editions, Minnesota Statutes, sections 69.771 to 69.776 must be recodified as Minnesota Statutes, sections 424A.091 to 424A.096, and all statutory cross-references revised. new text end

Sec. 81.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.665, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 353.667; 353.668; 353.669; and 353.6691, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (c) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 353A.01; 353A.02; 353A.03; 353A.04; 353A.05; 353A.06; 353A.07; 353A.08; 353A.081; 353A.083; 353A.09; 353A.10; 353B.01; 353B.02; 353B.03; 353B.04; 353B.05; 353B.06; 353B.07; 353B.08; 353B.09; 353B.10; 353B.11; 353B.12; 353B.13; and 353B.14, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (d) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 423A.01; 423A.04; 423A.05; 423A.07; 423A.10; 423A.11; 423A.12; 423A.13; 423A.14; 423A.15; 423A.16; 423A.17; 423A.171; 423A.18; 423A.19; 423A.20; 423A.21; and 423A.22, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (e) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 69.021, subdivision 6; 353.64, subdivision 3; and 423A.02, subdivision 1a, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (f) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.77, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Sec. 82.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; PRIOR AID ALLOCATIONS VALIDATED. new text end

new text begin (a) Sections 70 to 76 are effective June 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), sections 1 to 69 and 77 to 81 are effective July 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin (c) With respect to the city of Minneapolis, section 18 is effective retroactively from July 20, 2011, and with respect to the city of Fairmont, section 18 is effective retroactively from May 10, 2012. new text end

new text begin (d) Allocations of amortization state aid, supplementary amortization state aid, or additional amortization state aid made by the commissioner of revenue before January 1, 2013, are hereby validated. new text end

ARTICLE 6

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.771, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Covered relief associations.

The applicable provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 deleted text begin apply todeleted text end new text begin govern new text end any firefighters' relief association deleted text begin other thandeleted text end new text begin defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, and do not apply to new text end a relief association enumerated in section 69.77, subdivision 1adeleted text begin , which is organized under any laws of this state, which is composed of volunteer firefighters or is composed partially of volunteer firefighters and partially of salaried firefighters with retirement coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund and which, in either case, operates subject to the service pension minimum requirements for entitlement and maximums contained in section 424A.02, or subject to a special law modifying those requirements or maximumsdeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 69.774, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authorized inclusion in fire state aid program; covered nonprofit corporations.

new text begin (a) new text end This section deleted text begin shall applydeleted text end new text begin applies new text end to any independent nonprofit firefighting corporation incorporated or organized deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end chapter 317A whichnew text begin : (1)new text end operates exclusively for firefighting purposesdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ; (2)new text end which is composed of volunteer firefightersdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ; and (3)new text end which has a duly established separate subsidiary incorporated firefighters' relief association which provides retirement coverage for or pays a service pension to a retired firefighter or a retirement benefit to a surviving dependent of either an active or a retired firefighter, and which deleted text begin operatesdeleted text end new text begin is new text end subject to the deleted text begin service pension minimum requirements for entitlement to and maximums for a service pension contained in section 424A.02, or a special law modifying those requirements or maximumsdeleted text end new text begin applicable provisions of chapter 424Anew text end .

new text begin (b)new text end Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a municipality contracting with an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be included in the distribution of fire state aid to the appropriate county auditor by the state auditor only if the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation complies with the provisions of this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353G.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Election of coverage.

(a) The process for electing coverage of volunteer firefighters by the retirement plan is initiated by a request to the executive director for a cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage.

(b) If the volunteer firefighters are currently covered by a volunteer firefighters' relief association governed by chapter 424A, the cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage must be requested jointly by the secretary of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, following approval of the request by the board of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, and the chief administrative officer of the entity associated with the relief association, following approval of the request by the governing body of the entity associated with the relief association. If the relief association is associated with more than one entity, the chief administrative officer of each associated entity must execute the request. If the volunteer firefighters are not currently covered by a volunteer firefighters' relief association, the cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage must be requested by the chief administrative officer of the entity operating the fire department. The request must be made in writing and must be made on a form prescribed by the executive director.

(c) The cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage by the statewide retirement plan must be based on the service pension amount under section 353G.11 closest to the service pension amount provided by the volunteer firefighters' relief association if the relief association is a lump-sum defined benefit plan, or the amount equal to 95 percent of the most current average account balance per relief association member if the relief association is a defined contribution plan, or to the lowest service pension amount under section 353G.11 if there is no volunteer firefighters' relief association, rounded up, and any other service pension amount designated by the requester or requesters. The cost analysis must be prepared using a mathematical procedure certified as accurate by an approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(d) If a cost analysis is requested and a volunteer firefighters' relief association exists that has filed the information required under section 69.051 in a timely fashion, upon request by the executive director, the state auditor shall provide the most recent data available on the financial condition of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the most recent firefighter demographic data available, and a copy of the current relief association bylaws. If a cost analysis is requested, but no volunteer firefighters' relief association exists, the chief administrative officer of the entity operating the fire department shall provide the demographic information on the volunteer firefighters serving as members of the fire department requested by the executive director.

(e) If a cost analysis is requested, the executive director of the State Board of Investment shall review the investment portfolio of the relief association, if applicable, for compliance with the applicable provisions of chapter 11A and for appropriateness for retention under the established investment objectives and investment policies of the State Board of Investment. If the prospective retirement coverage change is approved under paragraph (f), the State Board of Investment may require that the relief association liquidate any investment security or other asset which the executive director of the State Board of Investment has determined to be an ineligible or inappropriate investment for retention by the State Board of Investment. The security or asset liquidation must occur before the effective date of the transfer of retirement plan coverage. If requested to do so by the chief administrative officer of the relief association, the executive director of the State Board of Investment shall provide advice about the best means to conduct the liquidation.

(f) Upon receipt of the cost analysis, the governing body of the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation associated with the fire department shall either approve or disapprove the retirement coverage change within deleted text begin 90deleted text end new text begin 120 new text end days. If the retirement coverage change is not acted upon within deleted text begin 90deleted text end new text begin 120 new text end days, it is deemed to be disapproved. If the retirement coverage change is approved by the applicable governing body, coverage by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is effective on the next following January 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Fiscal year. new text end

new text begin The fiscal year for a volunteer firefighter relief association begins on January 1 of each calendar year and ends on December 31 of the same calendar year. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Return to active firefighting after break in service.

(a) deleted text begin The requirements ofdeleted text end This deleted text begin section applydeleted text end new text begin subdivision applies new text end to all breaks in service, except deleted text begin breaks indeleted text end new text begin that the resumption new text end service deleted text begin mandated bydeleted text end new text begin requirements of this subdivision do not apply to leaves of absence made available by new text end federal deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin statute, such as the Family Medical Leave Act, United States Code, title 29, section 2691, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, United States Code, title 38, section 4301, and do not apply to leaves of absence made available by new text end state deleted text begin lawdeleted text end new text begin statute, such as the Parental Leave Act, section 181.941; the Leave for Organ Donations Act, section 181.9456; the Leave for Civil Air Patrol Service Act, section 181.946; the Leave for Immediate Family Members of Military Personnel Injured or Killed in Active Service Act, section 181.947; or the Protection of Jurors' Employment Act, section 593.50new text end .

(b)(1) If a firefighter who has ceased to perform or supervise fire suppression and fire prevention duties for at least 60 days resumes performing active firefighting with the fire department associated with the relief association, if the bylaws of the relief association so permit, the firefighter may again become an active member of the relief association. A firefighter who returns to active service and membership is subject to the service pension calculation requirements under this section.

(2) A firefighter who has been granted an approved leave of absence not exceeding one year by the fire department or by the relief association is exempt from the minimum period of resumption service requirement of this section.

(3) A person who has a break in service not exceeding one year but has not been granted an approved leave of absence and who has not received a service pension or disability benefit may be made exempt from the minimum period of resumption service requirement of this section by the relief association bylaws.

(4) If the bylaws so provide, a firefighter who returns to active relief association membership under this paragraph may continue to collect a monthly service pension, notwithstanding the service pension eligibility requirements under chapter 424A.

(c) If a former firefighter who has received a service pension or disability benefit returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b), the firefighter may qualify for the receipt of a service pension from the relief association for the resumption service period if the firefighter meets the service requirements of section 424A.016, subdivision 3, or 424A.02, subdivision 2. No firefighter may be paid a service pension more than once for the same period of service.

(d) If a former firefighter who has not received a service pension or disability benefit returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b), the firefighter may qualify for the receipt of a service pension from the relief association for the original and resumption service periods if the firefighter meets the service requirements of section 424A.016, subdivision 3, or 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the original and resumption years of service credit.

(e) A firefighter who returns to active lump-sum relief association membership under paragraph (b) and who qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (c) must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, any service pension for the resumption service period calculated as a separate benefit. If a lump-sum service pension had been paid to the firefighter upon the firefighter's previous cessation of duties, a second lump-sum service pension for the resumption service period must be calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of the resumption service.

(f) A firefighter who had not been paid a lump-sum service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b), who did not meet the minimum period of resumption service requirement specified in the relief association's bylaws, but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's original and resumption years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension for the original and resumption service periods calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service, or, if the bylaws so provide, based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's previous cessation of duties. The service pension for a firefighter who returns to active lump-sum relief association membership under this paragraph, but who had met the minimum period of resumption service requirement specified in the relief association's bylaws, must be calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service.

(g) If a firefighter receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active monthly benefit relief association membership under paragraph (b), and if the relief association bylaws do not allow for the firefighter to continue collecting a monthly service pension, any monthly benefit service pension payable to the firefighter is suspended as of the first day of the month next following the date on which the firefighter returns to active membership. If the firefighter was receiving a monthly benefit service pension, and qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (c), the firefighter is entitled to an additional monthly benefit service pension upon a subsequent cessation of duties calculated based on the resumption service credit and the service pension accrual amount in effect on the date of the termination of the resumption service. A suspended initial service pension resumes as of the first of the month next following the termination of the resumption service. If the firefighter was not receiving a monthly benefit service pension and meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, a service pension must be calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of service credit.

(h) A firefighter who was not receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b), who did not meet the minimum period of resumption service requirement specified in the relief association's bylaws, but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's original and resumption years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension for the original and resumption service periods calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service, or, if the bylaws so provide, based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's previous cessation of duties. The service pension for a firefighter who returns to active relief association membership under this paragraph, but who had met the minimum period of resumption service requirement specified in the relief association's bylaws, must be calculated by applying the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service.

(i) For defined contribution plans, a firefighter who returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b) and who qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (c) or (d) must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, any service pension for the resumption service period calculated as a separate benefit. If a service pension had been paid to the firefighter upon the firefighter's previous cessation of duties, and if the firefighter meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.016, subdivision 3, based on the resumption years of service, a second service pension for the resumption service period must be calculated to include allocations credited to the firefighter's individual account during the resumption period of service and deductions for administrative expenses, if applicable.

(j) For defined contribution plans, if a firefighter who had not been paid a service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (b), and who meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.016, subdivision 3, based on the firefighter's original and resumption years of service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension for the original and resumption service periods calculated to include allocations credited to the firefighter's individual account during the new text begin original and new text end resumption deleted text begin perioddeleted text end new text begin periods new text end of service and deductions for administrative expenses, if applicable, less any amounts previously forfeited under section 424A.016, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.015, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Separation from active service; exception.

(a) No service pension is payable to a person while the person remains an active member of the respective fire department, and a person who is receiving a service pension is not entitled to receive any other benefits from the special fund of the relief association.

(b) No relief association as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, may pay a service pension or disability benefit to a former member of the relief association if that person has not separated from active service with the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, unless:

(1) the person deleted text begin is employed subsequent to retirement bydeleted text end new text begin discontinues volunteer firefighter duties with new text end the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever applies, deleted text begin to performdeleted text end new text begin and performs new text end duties within the municipal fire department or corporation on a full-time basis;

(2) the governing body of the municipality or of the corporation has filed its determination with the board of trustees of the relief association that the person's experience with and service to the fire department in that person's full-time capacity would be difficult to replace; and

(3) the bylaws of the relief association were amended to provide for the payment of a service pension or disability benefit for such full-time employees.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.015, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Transfer to individual retirement account.

A relief association that is a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and that provides a single payment service pension, at the written request of the applicable retiring member or, following the death of the active member, at the written request of the deceased member's surviving spouse, may directly transfer on an institution-to-institution basis the eligible member's lump-sum pension or the deleted text begin death ordeleted text end survivor benefit attributable to the member, whichever applies, to the requesting person's individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.016, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Deferred service pensions.

(a) A member of a relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the memberdeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) has completed the lesser of the minimum period of active service with the fire department specified in the bylaws or 20 years of active service with the fire department; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end separates from active service and membershipnew text begin and has completed the minimum service and membership requirements in subdivision 2new text end . The requirement that a member separate from active service and membership is waived for persons who have discontinued their volunteer firefighter duties and who are employed on a full-time basis under section 424A.015, subdivision 1.

(b) The deferred service pension is payable when the former member reaches at least age 50, or at least the minimum age specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50, and when the former member makes a valid written application.

(c) A defined contribution relief association may, if its governing bylaws so provide, credit interest or additional investment performance on the deferred lump-sum service pension during the period of deferral. If provided for in the bylaws, the interest must be paid:

(1) at the investment performance rate actually earned on that portion of the assets if the deferred benefit amount is invested by the relief association in a separate account established and maintained by the relief association;

(2) at the investment performance rate actually earned on that portion of the assets if the deferred benefit amount is invested in a separate investment vehicle held by the relief association; or

(3) at the investment return on the assets of the special fund of the defined contribution volunteer firefighter relief association in proportion to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of each individual deferred member account through the accounting date on which the investment return is recognized by and credited to the special fund.

(d) Unless the bylaws of a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance on deferred lump-sum service pensions under paragraph (c) specifies a different interest or additional investment performance method, including the interest or additional investment performance period starting date and ending date, the interest or additional investment performance on a deferred service pension is creditable as follows:

(1) for a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance under paragraph (c), clause (1) or (3), beginning on the date that the member separates from active service and membership and ending on the accounting date immediately before the deferred member commences receipt of the deferred service pension; or

(2) for a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance under paragraph (c), clause (2), beginning on the date that the member separates from active service and membership and ending on the date that the separate investment vehicle is valued immediately before the date on which the deferred member commences receipt of the deferred service pension.

(e) The deferred service pension is governed by and must be calculated under the general statute, special law, relief association articles of incorporation, and relief association bylaw provisions applicable on the date on which the member separated from active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Deferred service pensions.

(a) A member of a defined benefit relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the memberdeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) has completed the lesser of either the minimum period of active service with the fire department specified in the bylaws or 20 years of active service with the fire department; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end separates from active service and membershipnew text begin and has completed the minimum service and membership requirements in subdivision 1new text end . The requirement that a member separate from active service and membership is waived for persons who have discontinued their volunteer firefighter duties and who are employed on a full-time basis under section 424A.015, subdivision 1.

(b) The deferred service pension is payable when the former member reaches at least age 50, or at least the minimum age specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50, and when the former member makes a valid written application.

(c) A defined benefit relief association that provides a lump-sum service pension governed by subdivision 3 may, when its governing bylaws so provide, pay interest on the deferred lump-sum service pension during the period of deferral. If provided for in the bylaws, interest must be paid in one of the following manners:

(1) at the investment performance rate actually earned on that portion of the assets if the deferred benefit amount is invested by the relief association in a separate account established and maintained by the relief association;

(2) at the investment performance rate actually earned on that portion of the assets if the deferred benefit amount is invested in a separate investment vehicle held by the relief association; or

(3) at an interest rate of up to five percent, compounded annually, as set by the board of deleted text begin directors and approved as provided in subdivision 10deleted text end new text begin trusteesnew text end .

new text begin (d) Any change in the interest rate set by the board of directors under paragraph (c), clause (3), must be ratified by the governing body of the municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, or by the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, as applicable. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Interest under paragraph (c), clause (3), is payable new text begin beginning on the January 1 next new text end following the date on which deleted text begin the municipality has approveddeleted text end the deferred service pension interest rate deleted text begin establisheddeleted text end new text begin as set new text end by the board of trusteesnew text begin was ratified by the governing body of the municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, or by the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, as applicablenew text end .

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Unless the bylaws of a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance on deferred lump-sum service pensions under paragraph (c) specifies a different interest or additional investment performance method, including the interest or additional investment performance period starting date and ending date, the interest or additional investment performance on a deferred service pension is creditable as follows:

(1) for a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance under paragraph (c), clause (1) or (3), beginning on the new text begin first day of the month next following the new text end date deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin on which new text end the member separates from active service and membership and ending on the deleted text begin accounting datedeleted text end new text begin last day of the month new text end immediately before the new text begin month in which the new text end deferred member commences receipt of the deferred service pension; or

(2) for a relief association that has elected to pay interest or additional investment performance under paragraph (c), clause (2), beginning on the date that the member separates from active service and membership and ending on the date that the separate investment vehicle is valued immediately before the date on which the deferred member commences receipt of the deferred service pension.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end For a deferred service pension that is transferred to a separate account established and maintained by the relief association or separate investment vehicle held by the relief association, the deferred member bears the full investment risk subsequent to transfer and in calculating the accrued liability of the volunteer firefighters relief association that pays a lump-sum service pension, the accrued liability for deferred service pensions is equal to the separate relief association account balance or the fair market value of the separate investment vehicle held by the relief association.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end The deferred service pension is governed by and must be calculated under the general statute, special law, relief association articles of incorporation, and relief association bylaw provisions applicable on the date on which the member separated from active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2014, with respect to the amendments to paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), and is effective retroactively from January 1, 2013, with respect to the amendments to paragraph (f). new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section:

(1) "qualified recipient" means an individual who receives a lump-sum distribution of pension or retirement benefits from a volunteer firefighters' relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan for service that the individual has performed as a volunteer firefighter;

(2) "survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter" means the surviving spouse of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter deleted text begin under section 424A.001, subdivision 6,deleted text end or, if none, the surviving child or children of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter;

(3) "active volunteer firefighter" means a person who regularly renders fire suppression service for a municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, who has met the statutory and other requirements for relief association membership, and who is deemed by the relief association under law and its bylaws to be a fully qualified member of the relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan for at least one month; and

(4) "deferred volunteer firefighter" means a former active volunteer firefighter who terminated active firefighting service, has sufficient service credit from the applicable relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan to be entitled to a service pension under the bylaws of the relief association, but has not applied for or has not received the service pension.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Payment of supplemental benefit.

(a) Upon the payment by a volunteer firefighters' relief association or by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan of a lump-sum distribution to a qualified recipient, the association must pay a supplemental benefit to the qualified recipient. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the relief association must pay the supplemental benefit out of its special fund and the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan must pay the supplemental benefit out of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan. This benefit is an amount equal to ten percent of the regular lump-sum distribution that is paid on the basis of the recipient's service as a volunteer firefighter. In no case may the amount of the supplemental benefit exceed $1,000. A supplemental benefit under this paragraph may not be paid to a survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter in that capacity.

(b) Upon the payment by a relief association or the retirement plan of a lump-sum survivor benefit to a survivor of a deceased active volunteer firefighter or of a deceased deferred volunteer firefighter, the association deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin must new text end pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the special fund of the relief association deleted text begin if its articles of incorporation or bylaws so providedeleted text end and the retirement plan deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin must new text end pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the retirement fund if chapter 353G so provides. The amount of the supplemental survivor benefit is 20 percent of the survivor benefit, but not to exceed $2,000.

(c) An individual may receive a supplemental benefit under paragraph (a) or under paragraph (b), but not under both paragraphs with respect to one lump-sum volunteer firefighter benefit.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin WHITE BEAR LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RELIEF ASSOCIATION; RETIREE DEATH BENEFIT. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 424A.05, subdivision 3, clause (4), to the contrary, the White Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association may provide, if its bylaws so provide, for the payment of a $2,000 lump sum death benefit from the special fund of the relief association to the estate of a person who was a member of the relief association, who rendered at least 20 years of firefighting service in the fire department and membership in the relief association, who retired before January 1, 2009, who received a monthly benefit service pension from the relief association for the month in which this section became effective, and who died after the effective date of the bylaw amendment that implements the authority under this section. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after the governing body of the city of White Bear Lake and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 424A.10, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 7

ONE PERSON AND SMALL GROUP RETIREMENT CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Included employees.

(a) "State employee" includes:

(1) employees of the Minnesota Historical Society;

(2) employees of the State Horticultural Society;

(3) employees of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association;

(4) employees of the adjutant general whose salaries are paid from federal funds and who are not covered by any federal civilian employees retirement system;

(5) employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who are employed under the university or college activities program;

(6) currently contributing employees covered by the system who are temporarily employed by the legislature during a legislative session or any currently contributing employee employed for any special service as defined in subdivision 2b, clause (8);

(7) employees of the legislature who are appointed without a limit on the duration of their employment and persons employed or designated by the legislature or by a legislative committee or commission or other competent authority to conduct a special inquiry, investigation, examination, or installation;

(8) trainees who are employed on a full-time established training program performing the duties of the classified position for which they will be eligible to receive immediate appointment at the completion of the training period;

(9) employees of the Minnesota Safety Council;

(10) any employees who are on authorized leave of absence from the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission and who are employed by the labor organization which is the exclusive bargaining agent representing employees of the Transit Operating Division;

(11) employees of the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, or Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission unless excluded under subdivision 2b or are covered by another public pension fund or plan under section 473.415, subdivision 3;

(12) judges of the Tax Court;

(13) personnel who were employed on June 30, 1992, by the University of Minnesota in the management, operation, or maintenance of its heating plant facilities, whose employment transfers to an employer assuming operation of the heating plant facilities, so long as the person is employed at the University of Minnesota heating plant by that employer or by its successor organization;

(14) personnel who are employed as seasonal employees in the classified or unclassified service;

(15) persons who are employed by the Department of Commerce as a peace officer in the Insurance Fraud Prevention Division under section 45.0135 who have attained the mandatory retirement age specified in section 43A.34, subdivision 4;

(16) employees of the University of Minnesota unless excluded under subdivision 2b, clause (3);

(17) employees of the Middle Management Association whose employment began after July 1, 2007, and to whom section 352.029 does not apply;

(18) employees of the Minnesota Government Engineers Council to whom section 352.029 does not apply; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(19) employees of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authoritydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (20) employees of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. new text end

(b) Employees specified in paragraph (a), clause (13), are included employees under paragraph (a) if employer and employee contributions are made in a timely manner in the amounts required by section 352.04. Employee contributions must be deducted from salary. Employer contributions are the sole obligation of the employer assuming operation of the University of Minnesota heating plant facilities or any successor organizations to that employer.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin (b) The membership inclusion under paragraph (a), clause (20), does not apply to a person who is receiving an age and service retirement annuity from the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System on June 30, 2013. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.029, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Qualifications.

Unless new text begin already specifically included under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, or unless new text end specifically excluded under section 352.01, subdivision 2b, a state employee on leave of absence without pay to provide service as an employee or officer of a labor organization that is an exclusive bargaining agent representing state employees may elect under subdivision 2 to be covered by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for service with the labor organization, subject to the limitations set forth in subdivisions 2a and 2b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.029, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Limitations on salary for benefits and contributions.

(a) The covered salary for a labor organization employee who new text begin is a member under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), or who new text end qualifies for membership under this section or section 352.75 is limited to the lesser of:

(1) the employee's actual salary as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 13; or

(2) 75 percent of the salary of the governor as set under section 15A.082.

(b) The limited covered salary determined under this subdivision must be used in determining employee, employer, and employer additional contributions under section 352.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, and in determining retirement annuities and other benefits under this chapter and chapter 356.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.029, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Earning restrictions apply.

A retirement annuity is only payable, if the person has met any other applicable requirements, upon the termination new text begin of employment by the labor organization new text end by the person who new text begin is a member under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), or who new text end elected coverage under subdivision 1 deleted text begin of employment by the labor organizationdeleted text end . The reemployed annuitant earnings limitation set forth in section 352.115, subdivision 10, applies in the event that the person who new text begin is a member under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), or who new text end elected coverage under subdivision 1 retires and is subsequently reemployed while an annuitant by the labor organization or by any other entity employing persons who are covered by the Minnesota State Retirement System by virtue of that employment.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.029, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Contributions.

The employee and employer contributions required by section 352.04, or by section 352.92 for employees covered by section 352.91, are the obligation of the employee who new text begin is a member under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), or who new text end chooses coverage under this section. However, the employing labor organization may pay the employer contributions. Contributions made by the employee must be made by salary deduction. The employing labor organization shall pay all contributions to the system as required by section 352.04, or by section 352.92 for employees covered by section 352.91.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.029, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Board membership excluded.

Employees of a labor organization who become members of the system new text begin under section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), or new text end under this section are not eligible for election to the board of directors.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [356.408] TERMINATION OF SURVIVOR DESIGNATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authorization to terminate optional annuity form. new text end

new text begin A public pension plan retired member receiving a joint and survivor retirement annuity or a person receiving a joint and survivor disability benefit from a plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, and the designated survivor of that person may mutually agree to terminate the survivor designation by filing a termination statement on a form and in the manner specified by the chief administrative officer of the applicable public pension plan. Upon filing a valid termination statement accepted by the chief administrative officer, the rights of the designated survivor to receive a benefit upon death of the plan retired or disabled annuitant are terminated, and the retired or disabled annuitant must receive a normal single-life annuity. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Revised annuity form. new text end

new text begin The replacement single life annuity must be actuarially equivalent to the joint and survivor annuity as of the first day of the month following acceptance of the valid termination statement by the chief administrative officer and payment of this revised prospective annuity begins on that same date. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply if the designated survivor is the spouse or former spouse of the plan member. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Termination statement form requirements. new text end

new text begin The annuity form termination statements must be in written form and must be notarized. Before accepting any signed form or forms, the chief administrative officer of the applicable pension plan must offer counseling to the retired or disabled annuitant and the designated survivor regarding the implications of the annuity form waiver. The forms must indicate that this counseling has been offered and either has been completed or has been waived by the retired or disabled annuitant and the designated survivor. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Prohibition against further annuity form revisions. new text end

new text begin No retired or disabled annuitant who waives the annuity form under this section may further revise the annuity form at any later date. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Covered plans.

This section applies to the following retirement plans:

(1) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(2) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(3) the State Patrol retirement plan established under chapter 352B;

(4) the unclassified state employees retirement program of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352D;

(5) the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353;

(6) the public employees police and fire retirement plan established under chapter 353;

(7) the local government correctional employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353E;

(8) the Teachers Retirement Association established under chapter 354; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

new text begin (9) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association established under chapter 354A; and new text end

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the uniform judicial retirement plan established under chapter 490.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin MSRS-GENERAL RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY CLARIFICATION; SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE IN CERTAIN INSTANCES. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled to purchase prior uncredited service credit under paragraph (c) and, if the service credit purchase is made, to have the effective start date for active retirement plan membership of June 30, 1989, and to retire under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.116, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born on July 17, 1964; new text end

new text begin (2) was initially employed by the state of Minnesota as a temporary status laborer general on June 19, 1989; new text end

new text begin (3) became a seasonal status laborer general on August 30, 1989; new text end

new text begin (4) became an unlimited status laborer general on December 12, 1990; new text end

new text begin (5) has received annual statements from the Minnesota State Retirement System indicating eligibility for a retirement benefit under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), as of September 1, 2012, including the June 30, 2012, annual statement; new text end

new text begin (6) attended a Minnesota State Retirement System preretirement class in March 2012 and was individually informed by a Minnesota State Retirement System employee of the person's retirement eligibility under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); and new text end

new text begin (7) received a letter from the Minnesota State Retirement System on August 16, 2012, revising the start date for general state employees retirement plan allowable service credit from June 19, 1989, to September 27, 1989, and indicating consequent inapplicability of Minnesota Statutes, section 352.116, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (c) An eligible person may purchase allowable service credit in the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for the period June 30, 1989, by paying an amount equal to 7.63 percent of salary earned after June 18, 1989, to June 30, 1989, and to 8.85 percent of salary earned after June 30, 1989, to September 27, 1989, plus 8.5 percent compound interest on the total equivalent employee and employer contribution amounts from the date on which the contribution would have been deducted or paid if the person had been a member of the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System at the time to the date that this portion of the prior service credit purchase payment is made. The payment must be made in a lump sum. new text end

new text begin (d) An eligible person who purchased allowable service credit under paragraph (c) has a June 30, 1989, start date for allowable service credited by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System and is eligible for a retirement annuity under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.116, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (e) Authority to purchase prior uncredited allowable service credit under this section expires on August 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin PERA-GENERAL; PURCHASE OF CERTAIN PRIOR NORTHFIELD SERVICE CREDIT. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353, to the contrary, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled to repay any prior refund as provided in paragraph (c) and is entitled to purchase service credit as provided in paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born on July 10, 1942; new text end

new text begin (2) was employed by the city of Northfield on October 5, 2005; new text end

new text begin (3) became a member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association on April 5, 2009; new text end

new text begin (4) was employed by the transit division of the city of Northfield until June 29, 2012; and new text end

new text begin (5) was eligible for PERA general employees retirement plan membership on October 5, 2005, but was not reported to PERA for membership in a timely fashion. new text end

new text begin (c) The eligible person may repay to the general employees retirement fund of the Public Employees Retirement Association any refund of accumulated member contributions and interest previously received, plus interest at an annual rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the date on which the refund was paid until the date on which the refund is repaid. new text end

new text begin (d) If the eligible person repays all prior refunds under paragraph (c), the eligible person may purchase 43 months of allowable service credit and salary credit from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association by making a payment equal to the unpaid member contributions during the period October 5, 2005, until April 5, 2009, plus 8.5 percent interest from the date that each contribution would have been transmitted to the Public Employees Retirement Association until the date that the payment under this paragraph is made. new text end

new text begin (e) If the eligible person makes the payment required under paragraph (c) in a timely fashion, within 30 days following notification of that fact by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the city of Northfield shall pay the balance of the prior service credit purchase payment amount required under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551. If the payment by the city of Northfield is not paid in a timely fashion, the executive director shall collect the unpaid amount as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.28, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (f) Authority to repay a refund and to make a prior service credit purchase payment under this section expires on December 31, 2014. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin PERA-GENERAL; SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE FOR OMITTED CONTRIBUTION PERIOD; WRIGHT COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled to purchase from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association allowable service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 16, for the period of omitted member deductions described in paragraph (c). new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born on March 19, 1959; new text end

new text begin (2) is a current employee of the Wright County Highway Department, covered by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; new text end

new text begin (3) shifted from temporary to full-time employment with the highway department in April 2007; and new text end

new text begin (4) was not reported by Wright County for retirement coverage by and membership in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association until March 2012. new text end

new text begin (c) The period of uncredited service authorized for purchase is the period from April 2007 through December 2008, during which no member contributions for the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association were deducted from the eligible person's salary by Wright County, and which could not be corrected through the Public Employees Retirement Association omitted contribution provision due to a three-year time limit in the provision. new text end

new text begin (d) Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, applies to this purchase, except that the purchase payment amount payable by the eligible person is the employee contributions that should have been made, plus 8.5 percent interest compounded annually from the date each deduction should have occurred, until the date paid to the Public Employees Retirement Association. The purchase payment amount payable by Wright County is the balance of the full actuarial value prior service credit purchase payment amount as of the first day of the month next following the receipt of the eligible person's payment that is remaining after deducting the purchase payment amount payable by the eligible person. new text end

new text begin (e) The payment amount due from the county under paragraph (d) must be made on or before the 15th of the month next following the receipt of the eligible person's payment under paragraph (d). If the county purchase payment amount is not paid in a timely fashion, the amount due accrues compound monthly interest at the rate of 0.71 percent per month from the first day of the month next following the receipt of the eligible person's payment until the county purchase payment amount is received by the Public Employees Retirement Association. If the county purchase payment amount is not paid to the Public Employees Retirement Association 90 days after the receipt of the eligible person's payment, the executive director shall notify the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of revenue of that unpaid obligation and the unpaid obligation must be deducted from any state aid otherwise payable to the county, plus interest. new text end

new text begin (f) The eligible person must provide the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association with any relevant requested information pertaining to this service credit purchase. new text end

new text begin (g) Authority to make a service credit purchase under this section expires on June 30, 2014, or upon the termination from public employment under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 11a, whichever occurs earlier. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1.

new text begin [6.496] VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS. new text end

new text begin (a) Annually, on or before March 1, the state auditor shall provide all volunteer firefighter relief associations with recent and historic investment performance results of the various accounts of the Minnesota supplemental investment fund and information on the process and procedures for a volunteer firefighter relief association to utilize the Minnesota supplemental investment fund as an investment option. new text end

new text begin (b) Annually, on or before March 1, the state auditor shall provide all volunteer firefighter relief associations with basic information on the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, that a fire department has the option annually to join the retirement plan, and that, if the fire department joins the retirement plan, future asset investments would be the responsibility of the State Board of Investment. new text end

new text begin (c) The information provision required by paragraphs (a) and (b) may be provided in an electronic or other format if the state auditor determines that the format is reasonably accessible by a preponderance of volunteer firefighter relief associations. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Duties and powers of board of directors.

(a) The board shall:

(1) elect a chair;

(2) appoint an executive director;

(3) establish rules to administer this chapter and chapters 3A, 352B, 352C, 352D, and 490 and transact the business of the system, subject to the limitations of law;

(4) consider and dispose of, or take any other action the board of directors deems appropriate concerning, denials of applications for annuities or disability benefits under this chapter, chapter 3A, 352B, 352C, 352D, or 490, and complaints of employees and others pertaining to the retirement of employees and the operation of the system;

(5) oversee the administration of the deferred compensation plan established in section 352.965; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(6) oversee the administration of the health care savings plan established in section deleted text begin 352.98.deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (7) approve early retirement and optional annuity factors, subject to review by the actuary retained by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; establish the schedule for implementation of the approved factors; and notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement of the implementation schedule. new text end

(b) The board shall advise the director on any matters relating to the system and carrying out functions and purposes of this chapter. The board's advice shall control.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties and powers.

(a) The board shall:

(1) elect a president and vice-president;

(2) approve the staffing complement, as recommended by the executive director, necessary to administer the fund;

(3) adopt bylaws for its own government and for the management of the fund consistent with the laws of the state and may modify them at pleasure;

(4) adopt, alter, and enforce reasonable rules consistent with the laws of the state and the terms of the applicable benefit plans for the administration and management of the fund, for the payment and collection of payments from members and for the payment of withdrawals and benefits, and that are necessary in order to comply with the applicable federal Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor requirements;

(5) pass upon and allow or disallow all applications for membership in the fund and allow or disallow claims for withdrawals, pensions, or benefits payable from the fund;

(6) adopt an appropriate mortality table based on experience of the fund as recommended by the association actuary and approved under section 356.215, subdivision 18, with interest set at the rate specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8;

(7) provide for the payment out of the fund of the cost of administering this chapter, of all necessary expenses for the administration of the fund and of all claims for withdrawals, pensions, or benefits allowed; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(8) approve or disapprove all recommendations and actions of the executive director made subject to its approval or disapproval by subdivision 3adeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (9) approve early retirement and optional annuity factors, subject to review by the actuary retained by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; establish the schedule for implementation of the approved factors; and notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement of the implementation schedule. new text end

(b) In passing upon all applications and claims, the board may summon, swear, hear, and examine witnesses and, in the case of claims for disability benefits, may require the claimant to submit to a medical examination by a physician of the board's choice, at the expense of the fund, as a condition precedent to the passing on the claim, and, in the case of all applications and claims, may conduct investigations necessary to determine their validity and merit.

(c) The board may continue to authorize the sale of life insurance to members under the insurance program in effect on January 1, 1985, but must not change that program without the approval of the commissioner of management and budget. The association shall not receive any financial benefit from the life insurance program beyond the amount necessary to reimburse the association for costs incurred in administering the program. The association shall not engage directly or indirectly in any other activity involving the sale or promotion of goods or services, or both, whether to members or nonmembers.

(d) The board shall establish procedures governing reimbursement of expenses to board members. These procedures must define the types of activities and expenses that qualify for reimbursement, must provide that all out-of-state travel be authorized by the board, and must provide for the independent verification of claims for expense reimbursement. The procedures must comply with the applicable rules and policies of the Department of Management and Budget and the Department of Administration.

(e) The board may purchase fiduciary liability insurance and official bonds for the officers and members of the board of trustees and employees of the association and may purchase property insurance or may establish a self-insurance risk reserve including, but not limited to, data processing insurance and "extra-expense" coverage.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 354.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General powers of board.

The board has the power to frame bylaws for its own government and for the management of the association not inconsistent with the laws of the state and to modify them at its pleasure; to adopt, alter, and enforce reasonable rules not inconsistent with the laws of the state for the administration and management of the association, for the payment and collection of payments from members, and for the payment of withdrawals and benefits; to pass upon and allow or disallow applications for membership in the association and for credit for teaching service; to pass upon and allow or disallow claims for withdrawals, pensions, or benefits payable by the fund; to adopt an appropriate mortality table based on experience of the association as recommended by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and using the applicable postretirement interest assumption specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8; new text begin to approve early retirement and optional annuity factors, subject to review by the actuary retained by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; to establish the schedule for implementation of the approved factors; to notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement of the implementation schedule; and new text end to provide for the payment out of the fund of necessary expenses for the administration by the association and of claims for withdrawals, pensions, or benefits allowed.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 354A.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Organizationnew text begin ; board dutiesnew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end Each teachers retirement fund association shall be organized and governed pursuant to this chapter and chapter 317A, except that each association shall be deemed to be a nonprofit corporation without coming within the definition in section 317A.011, subdivision 6. Any corporate action of any teachers retirement fund association taken prior to April 9, 1976, shall be deemed to be valid if it conformed with Minnesota Statutes 1976, chapter 317 or 354A, or Revised Laws 1905, chapter 58, as amended through April 9, 1976.

new text begin (b) In addition to the other powers and duties of a board of trustees of a first class city teacher retirement fund association, the board shall approve early retirement and optional annuity factors, subject to review by the actuary retained by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement; shall establish the schedule for implementation of the approved factors; and shall notify the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement of the implementation schedule. new text end

ARTICLE 9

STATE PATROL RETIREMENT PLAN FINANCIAL SOLVENCY MEASURES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.011, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Average monthly salary.

(a) Subject to the limitations of section 356.611, "average monthly salary" means the average of the highest monthly salaries for five years of service as a member upon which contributions were deducted from pay under section 352B.02, or upon which appropriate contributions or payments were made to the fund to receive allowable service and salary credit as specified under the applicable law. Average monthly salary must be based upon all allowable service if this service is less than five years.

(b) The salary used for the calculation of "average monthly salary" means the salary of the member as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 13. new text begin "Average monthly salary" includes the salary of the member during the period of covered employment rendered after reaching the allowable service credit limit of section 352B.08, subdivision 2, paragraph (b). new text end The salary used for the calculation of "average monthly salary" does not include any lump-sum annual leave payments and overtime payments made at the time of separation from state service, any amounts of severance pay, or any reduced salary paid during the period the person is entitled to workers' compensation benefit payments for temporary disability.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.02, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Member contributions.

(a) The member contribution is the following percentage of the member's salary:

(1) before the first day of the first pay period beginning after July 1, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2014new text end deleted text begin 10.40deleted text end new text begin 12.4 new text end percent
(2) on or after the first day of the first pay period beginning after July 1, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2014, to June 30, 2016new text end deleted text begin 12.40deleted text end new text begin 13.4 new text end percent
new text begin (3) after June 30, 2016 new text end new text begin 14.4 percent new text end

(b) These contributions must be made by deduction from salary as provided in section 352.04, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.02, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:

Subd. 1c.

Employer contributions.

(a) In addition to member contributions, department heads shall pay a sum equal to the specified percentage of the salary upon which deductions were made, which constitutes the employer contribution to the fund as follows:

(1) before the first day of the first pay period beginning after July 1, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2014new text end deleted text begin 15.60deleted text end new text begin 18.6 new text end percent
(2) on or after the first day of the first pay period beginning after July 1, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2014, to June 30, 2016new text end deleted text begin 18.60deleted text end new text begin 20.1 new text end percent
new text begin (3) after June 30, 2016 new text end new text begin 21.6 percent new text end

(b) Department contributions must be paid out of money appropriated to departments for this purpose.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility; when to apply; accrual.

(a) Every member who is credited with three or more years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with at least deleted text begin fivedeleted text end new text begin ten new text end years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , is entitled to separate from state service and upon becoming 50 years old, is entitled to receive a life annuity, upon separation from state service.

(b) Members must apply for an annuity in a form and manner prescribed by the executive director.

(c) No application may be made more than 90 days before the date the member is eligible to retire by reason of both age and service requirements.

(d) An annuity begins to accrue no earlier than 180 days before the date the application is filed with the executive director.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Normal retirement annuity.

new text begin (a) new text end The annuity must be paid in monthly installments. The annuity shall be equal to the amount determined by multiplying the average monthly salary of the member by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6, for each year new text begin of allowable service new text end and deleted text begin pro ratadeleted text end new text begin prorated new text end for new text begin additional new text end completed months of new text begin allowable new text end servicenew text begin , unless restricted under paragraph (b)new text end .

new text begin (b) Allowable service in excess of 33 years must not be used in computing the annuity. This restriction does not apply to any member who has at least 28 years of allowable service before July 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin (c) When the annuity commences, any member contributions attributable to allowable service not used to compute the annuity due to the restrictions in paragraph (b) must be refunded using procedures specified in section 352B.11, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.08, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Early retirement.

Any member who has become at least 50 years old and who has at least three years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or who has at least deleted text begin fivedeleted text end new text begin ten new text end years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , is entitled upon application to a reduced retirement annuity equal to the annuity calculated under subdivision 2, reduced by one-tenth of one percent for each month that the member is under age 55 at the time of retirementnew text begin ,new text end if deleted text begin first employeddeleted text end new text begin the effective date of retirement is new text end before July 1, deleted text begin 2010, or reduced by two-tenths of one percentdeleted text end new text begin 2015. If the effective date of retirement is after June 30, 2015, the reduction is 0.34 percent new text end for each month that the member is under age 55 at the time of retirement deleted text begin if first employed after June 30, 2010deleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Optional annuity.

A disabilitant may elect, in lieu of spousal survivorship coverage under section 352B.11, deleted text begin subdivisionsdeleted text end new text begin subdivisionnew text end 2b deleted text begin and 2cdeleted text end , the normal disability benefit or an optional annuity as provided in section 352B.08, subdivision 3. The choice of an optional annuity must be made in writing, on a form prescribed by the executive director, and must be made before the commencement of the payment of the disability benefit, or within 90 days before reaching age 55 or before reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. The optional annuity is effective on the date on which the disability benefit begins to accrue, or the month following the attainment of age 55 or following the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Refund of payments.

(a) A member who has not received other benefits under this chapter is entitled to a refund of payments made by salary deduction, plus interest, if the member is separated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, from the state service that entitled the member to membership.

new text begin (b) A refund under section 352B.08, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), does not result in a forfeiture of salary credit for the allowable service credit covered by the refund. new text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end In the event of the member's death, if there are no survivor benefits payable under this chapter, a refund plus interest is payable to the last designated beneficiary on a form filed with the director before death, or if no designation is filed, is payable to the member's estate. Interest under this subdivision must be calculated as provided in section 352.22, subdivision 2. To receive a refund, the application must be made on a form prescribed by the executive director.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.11, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Surviving spouse benefit deleted text begin eligibilitydeleted text end .

(a) If an active member with three or more years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with at least five years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , dies before attaining age 55, the surviving spouse is entitled to deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end benefit deleted text begin specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (b)deleted text end new text begin for life equal to 50 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member. On the first of the month next following the date on which the deceased member would have attained exact age 55, in lieu of continued receipt of the prior benefit, the surviving spouse is eligible to commence receipt of the second half of a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity if this provides a larger benefit. The joint and survivor annuity must be computed assuming the exact age 55 for the deceased member and the age of the surviving spouse on the date of deathnew text end .

(b) If an active member with less than three years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with fewer than five years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , dies at any age, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end benefit deleted text begin specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (c)deleted text end new text begin for life equal to 50 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased membernew text end .

(c) If an active member with three or more years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with at least five years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , dies on or after attaining exact age 55, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive deleted text begin the benefits specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (d)deleted text end new text begin a benefit for life equal to 50 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member, or the second half of a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity, whichever is larger. The joint and survivor annuity must be computed using the age of the deceased member on the date of death and the age of the surviving spouse on that same datenew text end .

(d) If a disabilitant dies while receiving a disability benefit under section 352B.10 or before the benefit under that section commenced, and an optional annuity was not elected under section 352B.10, subdivision 5, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin a new text end benefit deleted text begin specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (b)deleted text end new text begin for life equal to 50 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member. On the first of the month next following the date on which the deceased member would have attained exact age 55, in lieu of continued receipt of the prior benefit, the surviving spouse is eligible to commence receipt of the second half of a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity if this provides a larger benefit. The joint and survivor annuity must be computed assuming the exact age 55 for the deceased member and the age of the surviving spouse on the date of deathnew text end .

(e) If a former member with three or more years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with at least five years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , who terminated from service and has not received a refund or commenced receipt of any other benefit provided by this chapter, dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin as a new text end benefit deleted text begin specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (e)deleted text end new text begin the second half of a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity, commencing on the first of the month next following the deceased member's date of death, or the first of the month next following the date on which the deceased member would have attained age 55, whichever is later. The joint and survivor annuity must be computed using the age of the deceased member on the date of death and the age of the surviving spouse on that same datenew text end .

(f) If a former member with less than three years of allowable service if first employed before July 1, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , or with fewer than five years of allowable service if first employed after June 30, deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , who terminated from service and has not received a refund or commenced receipt of any other benefit, if applicable, provided by this chapter, dies, the surviving spouse deleted text begin is entitled to receive the refund specified in subdivision 2c, paragraph (f)deleted text end new text begin or, if none, the children or, if none, the deceased member's estate is entitled to a refund of the employee contributions plus interest computed as specified in subdivision 1new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 1e, is amended to read:

Subd. 1e.

Annual postretirement adjustments; State Patrol retirement plan.

(a) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of the State Patrol retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) a postretirement increase of deleted text begin 1.5deleted text end new text begin one new text end percent must be applied each year, effective on January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least 18 full months before the January 1 increase; and

(2) for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least six full months, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of deleted text begin 1.5deleted text end new text begin one new text end percent for each month that the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied, effective January 1, following the calendar year in which the person has been retired for at least six months, but has been retired for less than 18 months.

(b) The increases provided by this subdivision commence on January 1, deleted text begin 2011deleted text end new text begin 2014new text end . Increases under deleted text begin this subdivisiondeleted text end new text begin paragraph (a) new text end for the State Patrol retirement plan terminate on December 31 of the calendar year in which the actuarial valuation prepared by the approved actuary under sections 356.214 and 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work promulgated by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement indicates that the market value of assets of the retirement plan equals or exceeds deleted text begin 90deleted text end new text begin 85 new text end percent of the actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan and increases under deleted text begin subdivision 1deleted text end new text begin paragraph (c) new text end recommence after that date.

new text begin (c) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of the State Patrol retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) a postretirement increase of 1.5 percent must be applied each year, effective on January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least 18 full months before the January 1 increase; and new text end

new text begin (2) for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least six full months, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of 1.5 percent for each month that the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied, effective January 1, following the calendar year in which the person has been retired for at least six months, but has been retired for less than 18 months. new text end

new text begin (d) Increases under paragraph (c) for the State Patrol retirement plan terminate on December 31 of the calendar year in which the actuarial valuation prepared by the approved actuary under sections 356.214 and 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement indicates that the market value of assets of the retirement plan equals or exceeds 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan and increases under subdivision 1 recommence after that date. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end An increase in annuity or benefit payments under this subdivision must be made automatically unless written notice is filed by the annuitant or benefit recipient with the executive director of the applicable covered retirement plan requesting that the increase not be made.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 352B.11, subdivision 2c, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

ARTICLE 10

PERA PLANS SALARY DEFINITION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Salary.

(a) Subject to the limitations of section 356.611, "salary" means:

(1) the new text begin wages or new text end periodic compensation deleted text begin ofdeleted text end new text begin payable to new text end a public employeedeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin by the employing governmental subdivision new text end beforenew text begin :new text end

new text begin (i) employee retirement deductions that are designated as picked-up contributions under section 356.62; new text end

new text begin (ii) any employee-elected new text end deductions for deferred compensation, supplemental retirement plans, or other voluntary salary reduction programsdeleted text begin , and also means "wages" and includes net income from feesdeleted text end new text begin that would have otherwise been available as a cash payment to the employeenew text end ; new text begin andnew text end

new text begin (iii) employee deductions for contributions to a supplemental plan or to a governmental trust established under section 356.24, subdivision 1, clause (7), to save for postretirement health care expenses, unless otherwise excluded under paragraph (b); new text end

(2) for a public employee who is covered by a supplemental retirement plan under section 356.24, subdivision 1, clause (8), (9), deleted text begin ordeleted text end (10), deleted text begin which require all plan contributions be made bydeleted text end new text begin or (12),new text end the employerdeleted text begin , the contributiondeleted text end new text begin contributions new text end to the applicable supplemental retirement plan when an agreement between the parties establishes that the deleted text begin contributiondeleted text end new text begin contributions new text end will either result in a mandatory reduction of employees' wages through payroll withholdings, or be made in lieu of an amount that would otherwise be paid as wages; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(3) for a public employee who has prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association or to which section 353.665 applies and who has elected coverage either under the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan under section 353A.08 following the consolidation or under section 353.665, subdivision 4, the rate of salary upon which member contributions to the special fund of the relief association were made prior to the effective date of the consolidation as specified by law and by bylaw provisions governing the relief association on the date of the initiation of the consolidation procedure and the actual periodic compensation of the public employee after the effective date of consolidationdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (4) a payment from a public employer through a grievance proceeding, settlement, or court order that is attached to a specific earnings period in which the employee's regular salary was not earned or paid to the member due to a suspension or a period of involuntary termination that is not a wrongful discharge under section 356.50; provided the amount is not less than the equivalent of the average of the hourly base salary rate in effect during the last six months of allowable service prior to the suspension or period of involuntary termination, plus any applicable increases awarded during the period that would have been paid under a collective bargaining agreement or personnel policy but for the suspension or involuntary termination, multiplied by the average number of regular hours for which the employee was compensated during the six months of allowable service prior to the suspension or period of involuntary termination, but not to exceed the compensation that the public employee would have earned if regularly employed during the applicable period; new text end

new text begin (5) the amount paid to a member who is absent from employment by reason of personal, parental, or military leave of absence if equivalent to the hourly base salary rate in effect during the six months of allowable service, or portions thereof, prior to the leave, multiplied by the average number of regular hours for which the employee was compensated during the six months of allowable service prior to the applicable leave of absence; new text end

new text begin (6) the amount paid to a member who is absent from employment by reason of an authorized medical leave of absence if specified in advance to be at least one-half but no more than equal to the earnings the member received, on which contributions were reported and allowable service credited during the six months immediately preceding the medical leave of absence; and new text end

new text begin (7) for a public employee who receives performance or merit bonus payment under a written compensation plan, policy, or collective bargaining agreement in addition to regular salary or in lieu of regular salary increases, the compensation paid to the employee for attaining or exceeding performance goals, duties, or measures during a specified period of employment. new text end

(b) Salary does not mean:

(1) deleted text begin thedeleted text end fees paid to district court reportersdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2)new text end unused annualnew text begin leave,new text end vacationnew text begin ,new text end or sick leave payments, in new text begin the form of new text end lump-sum or periodic paymentsdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (3) for the donor, payment to another person of the value of hours donated under a benevolent vacation, personal, or sick leave donation program; new text end

new text begin (4) any form of new text end severance deleted text begin paymentsdeleted text end deleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin or retirement incentive payments;new text end

new text begin (5) an allowance payment or per diem payments for or new text end reimbursement of expensesdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (6)new text end lump-sum settlements not attached to a specific earnings perioddeleted text begin , ordeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (7) new text end workers' compensation paymentsnew text begin or disability insurance payments, including payments from employer self-insurance arrangementsnew text end ;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end employer-paid amounts used by an employee toward the cost of insurance coverage, deleted text begin employer-paid fringe benefits,deleted text end flexible spending accounts, cafeteria plans, health care expense accounts, day care expenses, or any payments in lieu of any employer-paid group insurance coverage, including the difference between single and family rates that may be paid to a member with single coverage and certain amounts determined by the executive director to be ineligible;

new text begin (9) employer-paid fringe benefits, including, but not limited to: new text end

new text begin (i) employer-paid premiums or supplemental contributions for employees for all types of insurance; new text end

new text begin (ii) membership dues or fees for the use of fitness or recreational facilities; new text end

new text begin (iii) incentive payments or cash awards relating to a wellness program; new text end

new text begin (iv) the value of any nonmonetary benefits; new text end

new text begin (v) any form of payment made in lieu of an employer-paid fringe benefit; new text end

new text begin (vi) an employer-paid amount made to a deferred compensation or tax-sheltered annuity program; and new text end

new text begin (vii) any amount paid by the employer as a supplement to salary, either as a lump-sum amount or a fixed or matching amount paid on a recurring basis, that is not available to the employee as cash; new text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the amount equal to that which the employing governmental subdivision would otherwise pay toward single or family insurance coverage for a covered employee when, through a contract or agreement with some but not all employees, the employer:

(i) discontinues, or for new hires does not provide, payment toward the cost of the employee's selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer;

(ii) makes the employee solely responsible for all contributions toward the cost of the employee's selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer, including any amount the employer makes toward other employees' selected insurance coverages under a group plan offered by the employer; and

(iii) provides increased salary rates for employees who do not have any employer-paid group insurance coverages;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end except as provided in section 353.86 or 353.87, compensation of any kind paid to volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer firefighters, as defined in subdivision 35 or 36;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end the amount of compensation that exceeds the limitation provided in section 356.611; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end amounts paid by a federal or state grant for which the grant specifically prohibits grant proceeds from being used to make pension plan contributions, unless the contributions to the plan are made from sources other than the federal or state grantdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (14) bonus pay that is not performance or merit pay under paragraph (a), clause (6). new text end

(c) Amountsnew text begin , other than those provided under paragraph (a), clause (4),new text end provided to an employee by the employer through a grievance proceedingnew text begin , a court order,new text end or a legal settlement are salary only if the settlement new text begin or court order new text end is reviewed by the executive director and the amounts are determined by the executive director to be consistent with paragraph (a) and prior determinations.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

ARTICLE 11

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES POLICE AND FIRE RETIREMENT PLAN FINANCIAL SOLVENCY MEASURES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 17a, is amended to read:

Subd. 17a.

Average salary.

(a) "Average salary," for purposes of calculating a retirement annuity under section 353.29, subdivision 3, means an amount equivalent to the average of the highest salary of the member, police officer, or firefighter, whichever applies, upon which employee contributions were paid for any five successive years of allowable service, based on dates of salary periods as listed on salary deduction reports. new text begin "Average salary" includes the salary of the employee during the period of covered employment rendered after reaching the allowable service credit limit of section 353.651, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). new text end Average salary must be based upon all allowable service if this service is less than five years.

(b) "Average salary" may not include any reduced salary paid during a period in which the employee is entitled to benefit payments from workers' compensation for temporary disability, unless the average salary is higher, including this period.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 41, is amended to read:

Subd. 41.

Duty disability.

"Duty disability," physical or psychological, means a condition that is expected to prevent a member, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of the position held by a person who is a member of the public employees police and fire new text begin retirement new text end plan, and that is the direct result of an injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of deleted text begin normal duties or the actual performance of less frequentdeleted text end new text begin inherently dangerous new text end dutiesdeleted text begin , either of which are specific to protecting the property and personal safety of others and that present inherent dangersdeleted text end that are specific to the positions covered by the public employees police and fire new text begin retirement new text end plan.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.01, subdivision 47, is amended to read:

Subd. 47.

Vesting.

(a) "Vesting" means obtaining a nonforfeitable entitlement to an annuity or benefit from a retirement plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association by having credit for sufficient allowable service under paragraph (b) deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end (c), new text begin or (d), new text end whichever applies.

(b) For purposes of qualifying for an annuity or benefit as a basic or coordinated plan member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association:

(1) a public employee who first became a member new text begin of the association new text end before July 1, 2010, is new text begin 100 percent new text end vested when the person has accrued credit for not less than three years of allowable service as defined under subdivision 16; and

(2) a public employee who first becomes a member new text begin of the association new text end after June 30, 2010, is new text begin 100 percent new text end vested when the person has accrued credit for not less than five years of allowable service as defined under subdivision 16.

(c) For purposes of qualifying for an annuity or benefit as a member of the deleted text begin police and fire plan or a member of thedeleted text end local government correctional employees retirement plan:

(1) a public employee who first became a member new text begin of the association new text end before July 1, 2010, is new text begin 100 percent new text end vested when the person has accrued credit for not less than three years of allowable service as defined under subdivision 16; and

(2) a public employee who first becomes a member new text begin of the association new text end after June 30, 2010, is vested at the following percentages when the person has accrued credited allowable service as defined under subdivision 16, as follows:

(i) 50 percent after five years;

(ii) 60 percent after six years;

(iii) 70 percent after seven years;

(iv) 80 percent after eight years;

(v) 90 percent after nine years; and

(vi) 100 percent after ten years.

new text begin (d) For purposes of qualifying for an annuity or benefit as a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan: new text end

new text begin (1) a public employee who first became a member of the association before July 1, 2010, is 100 percent vested when the person has accrued credit for not less than three years of allowable service as defined under subdivision 16; new text end

new text begin (2) a public employee who first becomes a member of the association after June 30, 2010, and before July 1, 2014, is vested at the following percentages when the person has accrued credited allowable service as defined under subdivision 16, as follows: new text end

new text begin (i) 50 percent after five years; new text end

new text begin (ii) 60 percent after six years; new text end

new text begin (iii) 70 percent after seven years; new text end

new text begin (iv) 80 percent after eight years; new text end

new text begin (v) 90 percent after nine years; and new text end

new text begin (vi) 100 percent after ten years; and new text end

new text begin (3) a public employee who first becomes a member of the association after June 30, 2014, is vested at the following percentages when the person has accrued credited allowable service as defined under subdivision 16, as follows: new text end

new text begin (i) 50 percent after ten years; new text end

new text begin (ii) 55 percent after 11 years; new text end

new text begin (iii) 60 percent after 12 years; new text end

new text begin (iv) 65 percent after 13 years; new text end

new text begin (v) 70 percent after 14 years; new text end

new text begin (vi) 75 percent after 15 years; new text end

new text begin (vii) 80 percent after 16 years; new text end

new text begin (viii) 85 percent after 17 years; new text end

new text begin (ix) 90 percent after 18 years; new text end

new text begin (x) 95 percent after 19 years; and new text end

new text begin (xi) 100 percent after 20 or more years. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Additional requirements; eligibility for police and fire or local government correctional service new text begin retirement new text end plan disability benefits.

(a) If an application for disability benefits is filed within two years of the date of the injury or the onset of the illness that gave rise to the disability application, the application must be supported by evidence that the applicant is unable to perform the duties of the position held by the applicant on the date of the injury or the onset of the illness causing the disability. The employer must provide evidence indicating whether the applicant is able or unable to perform the duties of the position held on the date of the injury or onset of the illness causing the disability deleted text begin and the specificationsdeleted text end new text begin , a clear explanationnew text end of any duties that the individual can or cannot performnew text begin , and an explanation of why the employer may or may not authorize continued employment to the applicant in the current or other positionnew text end .

(b) If an application for disability benefits is filed more than two years after the date of injury or the onset of an illness causing the disability, the application must be supported by evidence that the applicant is unable to perform the deleted text begin most recentdeleted text end duties that deleted text begin aredeleted text end new text begin were new text end expected to be performed by the applicant during the 90 days deleted text begin beforedeleted text end new text begin preceding new text end the deleted text begin filing ofdeleted text end new text begin last day new text end the deleted text begin applicationdeleted text end new text begin applicant performed services for the employernew text end . The employer must provide evidence of the duties that deleted text begin aredeleted text end new text begin were new text end expected to be performed by the applicant during the 90 days deleted text begin beforedeleted text end new text begin preceding new text end the deleted text begin filing ofdeleted text end new text begin last day new text end the deleted text begin applicationdeleted text end new text begin applicant performed servicesnew text end , whether the applicant can or cannot perform those duties overall, deleted text begin and the specificationsdeleted text end new text begin a clear explanation new text end of any duties that the applicant can or cannot performnew text begin , and an explanation of why the employer may or may not authorize continued employment to the applicant in the current or other positionnew text end .

(c) Any report supporting a claim to disability benefits under section 353.656 or 353E.06 must specifically relate the disability to its cause; and for any claim to duty disability from an injury or illness arising out of an act of duty, the report must new text begin state the specific act of duty giving rise to the claim, and new text end relate the cause of disability to new text begin inherently dangerous duties new text end specific deleted text begin tasks or functions required to be performed by the employee in fulfilling the employee's duty-related acts which must be specificdeleted text end to the deleted text begin inherent dangers of thedeleted text end positions deleted text begin eligible for membership indeleted text end new text begin covered by new text end the new text begin public employees new text end police and fire deleted text begin funddeleted text end new text begin plan new text end and the local government correctional service retirement plan. Any report that does not relate the cause of disability to specific deleted text begin acts or functionsdeleted text end new text begin inherently dangerous duties new text end performed by the employee may not be relied upon as evidence to support eligibility for benefits and may be disregarded in the executive director's decision-making process.

(d) Any application for duty disability must be supported by a first report of injury as defined in section 176.231.

(e) If a member who has applied for and been approved for disability benefits before the termination of service does not terminate service or is not placed on an authorized leave of absence as certified by the governmental subdivision within 45 days following the date on which the application is approved, the application shall be canceled. If an approved application for disability benefits has been canceled, a subsequent application for disability benefits may not be filed on the basis of the same medical condition for a minimum of one year from the date on which the previous application was canceled.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Refund rights.

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), new text end when any former member accepts a refund, all existing service credits and all rights and benefits to which the person was entitled prior to the acceptance of the refund must terminate.

new text begin (b) A refund under section 353.651, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), does not result in a forfeiture of salary credit for the allowable service credit covered by the refund. new text end

new text begin (c)new text end The rights and benefits of a former member must not be restored until the person returns to active service and acquires at least six months of allowable service credit after taking the last refund and repays the refund or refunds taken and interest received under section 353.34, subdivisions 1 and 2, plus interest at an annual rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually. If the person elects to restore service credit in a particular fund from which the person has taken more than one refund, the person must repay all refunds to that fund. All refunds must be repaid within six months of the last date of termination of public service.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.65, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Employee contribution.

(a) For members other than members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, or for members other than members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employee contribution is deleted text begin 9.4 percentdeleted text end new text begin an amount equal to the following percentage new text end of the new text begin total new text end salary of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin each new text end member deleted text begin in calendar year 2010 and isdeleted text end new text begin , as follows:new text end 9.6 percent deleted text begin of the salary of the member in eachdeleted text end new text begin before new text end calendar year deleted text begin after 2010deleted text end new text begin 2014; 10.2 percent in calendar year 2014; and 10.8 percent in calendar year 2015 and thereafternew text end .

(b) For members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employee contribution is an amount equal to eight percent of the monthly unit value under section 353.01, subdivision 10a, multiplied by 80 and expressed as a biweekly amount for each member. The employee contribution made by a member with at least 25 years of service credit as an active member of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association must be deposited in the postretirement health care savings account established under section 352.98.

(c) For members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employee contribution is an amount equal to eight percent of the monthly unit value under section 353.01, subdivision 10b, multiplied by 80 and expressed as a biweekly amount for each member. The employee contribution made by a member with at least 25 years of service credit as an active member of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association must be deposited in the postretirement health care savings account established under section 352.98.

(d) Contributions under this section must be made by deduction from salary in the manner provided in subdivision 4. Where any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution is based on the total salary received from all sources.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Employer contribution.

(a) With respect to members other than members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, or for members other than members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employer contribution is deleted text begin 14.1 percentdeleted text end new text begin an amount equal to the following percentage new text end of the new text begin total new text end salary of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin each new text end member deleted text begin in calendar year 2010 and isdeleted text end new text begin , as follows:new text end 14.4 percent deleted text begin of the salary of the member in eachdeleted text end new text begin before new text end calendar year deleted text begin after 2010deleted text end new text begin 2014; 15.3 percent in calendar year 2014; and 16.2 percent in calendar year 2015 and thereafternew text end .

(b) With respect to members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employer contribution is an amount equal to the amount of the member contributions under subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

(c) With respect to members who were active members of the former Minneapolis Police Relief Association on December 29, 2011, the employer contribution is an amount equal to the amount of the member contributions under subdivision 2, paragraph (c).

(d) Contributions under this subdivision must be made from funds available to the employing subdivision by the means and in the manner provided in section 353.28.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.651, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Retirement annuity formula.

new text begin (a) new text end The average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, multiplied by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6, deleted text begin per yeardeleted text end new text begin multiplied by years new text end of allowable servicenew text begin , multiplied by the applicable vesting percentage indicated in section 353.01, subdivision 47,new text end determines the amount of the normal retirement annuity. If the member has earned allowable service for performing services other than those of a police officer or firefighter, the annuity representing that service must be computed under sections 353.29 and 353.30.

new text begin (b) For a member first enrolled in the public employees police and fire retirement plan after June 30, 2014, the average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, paragraph (a), includes salary for all years for which contributions have been reported to the public employees police and fire retirement plan, but allowable service included in the calculation is limited to 33 years and the normal retirement annuity must not exceed 99 percent of the average salary. new text end

new text begin (c) When the annuity begins for members of the public employees police and fire retirement plan enrolled after June 30, 2014, a prorated share of the contributions for allowable service exceeding 33 years must be refunded to the member. The prorated share of the contributions to be refunded is determined by multiplying the accumulated deductions paid by the member to the public employees police and fire retirement plan by a percentage determined using the number of months of service in excess of 396 as the numerator and the total number of months of allowable service on which contributions were reported as the denominator. Interest as defined in section 353.34, subdivision 2, is to be applied to the prorated share of contributions from the first of the 397th month of allowable service reported to the public employees police and fire retirement plan to the first of the month the annuity begins. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.651, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Early retirement.

(a) A person who becomes a new text begin public employees new text end police and fire new text begin retirement new text end plan member after June 30, 2007, or a former member who is reinstated as a member of the plan after that date, who is at least 50 years of age and deleted text begin whodeleted text end is new text begin at least partially new text end vested under section 353.01, subdivision 47, upon the termination of public service new text begin before July 1, 2014, if the person is other than a county sheriff or after January 4, 2015, if the person is a county sheriff new text end is entitled upon application to a retirement annuity equal to the normal annuity calculated under subdivision 3, reduced by two-tenths of one percent for each month that the member is under age 55 at the time of retirement.

(b) Upon the termination of public servicenew text begin before July 1, 2014, if the person is other than a county sheriff or upon the termination of public service before January 5, 2015, if the person is a county sheriffnew text end , any new text begin public employees new text end police and fire new text begin retirement new text end plan member new text begin who first became a member of the plan before July 1, 2007, and who is new text end not specified in paragraph (a), upon attaining at least 50 years of age with at least three years of allowable service is entitled upon application to a retirement annuity equal to the normal annuity calculated under subdivision 3, reduced by one-tenth of one percent for each month that the member is under age 55 at the time of retirement.

new text begin (c) A person other than a county sheriff who is a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan on or after July 1, 2014, or a county sheriff who is a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan on or after January 5, 2015, and who is at least 50 years old and is at least partially vested under section 353.01, subdivision 47, and whose benefit effective date is after July 1, 2014, if other than a county sheriff or after January 4, 2015, if a county sheriff and on or before July 1, 2019, is entitled upon application to a retirement annuity equal to the normal annuity calculated under subdivision 3, reduced for each month the member is under age 55 at the time of retirement by applying a blended monthly rate that is equivalent to the sum of: new text end

new text begin (1) one-sixtieth of the annual rate of five percent, prorated for each month the person's benefit effective date is after July 1, 2014, or after December 31, 2014, whichever applies; and new text end

new text begin (2) one-sixtieth of the annual rate provided under paragraph (a) or (b), whichever applies, for each month the person's benefit effective date is before July 1, 2019. new text end

new text begin (d) A person other than a county sheriff who is a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan on or after July 1, 2014, or a county sheriff who is a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan on or after January 5, 2015, and who is at least 50 years old and is at least partially vested under section 353.01, subdivision 47, whose benefit effective date is after July 1, 2019, is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity equal to the normal annuity calculated under subdivision 3, reduced by five percent annually, prorated for each month that the member is under age 55. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.657, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Death while eligible survivor benefit.

(a) If a member or former member who has attained the age of at least 50 years and either who is vested under section 353.01, subdivision 47, or who has credit for at least 30 years of allowable service, regardless of age attained, dies before the annuity or disability benefit becomes payable, notwithstanding any designation of beneficiary to the contrary, the surviving spouse may elect to receive a death while eligible survivor benefit.

(b) Notwithstanding the definition of surviving spouse in section 353.01, subdivision 20, a former spouse of the member, if any, is entitled to a portion of the death while eligible survivor benefit if stipulated under the terms of a marriage dissolution decree filed with the association. If there is no surviving spouse or child or children, a former spouse may be entitled to a lump-sum refund payment under section 353.32, subdivision 1, if provided for in a marriage dissolution decree but not a death while eligible survivor benefit despite the terms of a marriage dissolution decree filed with the association.

(c) The benefit may be elected instead of a refund with interest under section 353.32, subdivision 1, or surviving spouse benefits otherwise payable under subdivisions 1 and 2. The benefit must be an annuity equal to the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity which the member could have qualified for on the date of death, computed as provided in sections 353.651, deleted text begin subdivisions 2 anddeleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end 3, and 353.30, subdivision 3.

(d) The surviving spouse may apply for the annuity at any time after the date on which the deceased employee would have attained the required age for retirement based on the employee's allowable service. Sections 353.34, subdivision 3, and 353.71, subdivision 2, apply to a deferred annuity payable under this subdivision.

(e) No payment accrues beyond the end of the month in which entitlement to such annuity has terminated. An amount equal to the excess, if any, of the accumulated contributions which were credited to the account of the deceased employee over and above the total of the annuities paid and payable to the surviving spouse must be paid to the deceased member's last designated beneficiary or, if none, to the legal representative of the estate of such deceased member.

(f) Any member may request in writing, with the signed consent of the spouse, that this subdivision not apply and that payment be made only to the designated beneficiary, as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(g) For a member who is employed as a full-time firefighter by the Department of Military Affairs of the state of Minnesota, allowable service as a full-time state Military Affairs Department firefighter credited by the Minnesota State Retirement System may be used in meeting the minimum allowable service requirement of this subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353.657, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Maximum and minimum family benefits.

(a) The maximum monthly benefit per family must not exceed the following percentages of the member's average monthly salary as specified in subdivision 3:

(1) 80 percent, if the member's death was a line of duty death; or

(2) 70 percent, if the member's death was not a line of duty death or occurred while the member was receiving a disability benefit that accrued before July 1, 2007.

(b) The minimum monthly benefit per family, including the joint and survivor optional annuity under subdivision 2a, and section 353.656, subdivision 1a, must not be less than the following percentage of the member's average monthly salary as specified in subdivision 3:

(1) 60 percent, if the death was a line of duty death; or

(2) 50 percent, if the death was not a line of duty death or occurred while the member was receiving a disability benefit that accrued before July 1, 2007.

(c) If the maximum under paragraph (a) is exceeded, the monthly benefit of the joint annuitantnew text begin , surviving spouse, and dependent children, as applicable,new text end must new text begin each new text end be reduced deleted text begin to the amount necessarydeleted text end new text begin proportionately new text end so that the total family benefit does not exceed the applicable maximum. The joint and survivor optional annuitynew text begin , surviving spouse, or dependent children benefit, as applicable,new text end must be restored, plus applicable postretirement adjustments under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41 or section 356.415, as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15new text begin , or in the event of the death of the joint and survivor annuity recipient or the surviving spousenew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 353E.001, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Duty disability.

"Duty disability," physical or psychological, means a condition that is expected to prevent a member, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of a local government correctional service employee as defined under section 353E.02 and that is the direct result of an injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of deleted text begin normal duties or the actual performance of less frequentdeleted text end new text begin inherently dangerous new text end dutiesdeleted text begin , either of which are specific to protecting the property and personal safety of others and that present inherent dangersdeleted text end that are specific to the positions covered by the local government correctional service retirement plan.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 356.415, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Annual postretirement adjustments; PERA; general employees retirement plan and local government correctional retirement plan.

(a) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and the local government correctional service retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) for deleted text begin January 1, 2011, anddeleted text end each successive January 1 until funding stability is restored for the applicable retirement plan, a postretirement increase of one percent must be applied each year, effective on January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit amount of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30;

(2) for deleted text begin January 1, 2011, anddeleted text end each successive January 1 until funding stability is restored for the applicable retirement plan, for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of one percent for each month the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied;

(3) for each January 1 following the restoration of funding stability for the applicable retirement plan, a postretirement increase of 2.5 percent must be applied each year, effective January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit amount of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30; and

(4) for each January 1 following restoration of funding stability for the applicable retirement plan, for each annuity or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of 2.5 percent for each month the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied.

(b) Funding stability is restored when the market value of assets of the applicable retirement plan equals or exceeds 90 percent of the actuarial accrued liabilities of the applicable plan in the new text begin two new text end most recent deleted text begin priordeleted text end new text begin consecutive new text end actuarial deleted text begin valuationdeleted text end new text begin valuations new text end prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work by the approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association under section 356.214.

(c) deleted text begin If, after applying the increase as provided for in paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), the market value of the applicable retirement plan is determined in the next subsequent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 to