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CHAPTER 169--S.F.No. 191

An act

relating to retirement; various retirement plans; making various statutory changes needed to accommodate the dissolution of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund; redefining the value of pension plan assets for actuarial reporting purposes; revising various disability benefit provisions of the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, and the State Patrol retirement plan; making various administrative provision changes; establishing a voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association; revising various volunteer firefighters' relief association provisions; correcting 2008 drafting errors related to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund and other drafting errors; granting special retirement benefit authority in certain cases; revising the special transportation pilots retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; expanding the membership of the state correctional employees retirement plan; extending the amortization target date for the Fairmont Police Relief Association; modifying the number of board of trustees members of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association; modifying amortization state aid and supplemental amortization state aid; permitting the Brimson Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association to implement a different board of trustees composition; permitting employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the Minneapolis Police Relief Association to become members of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; creating a two-year demonstration postretirement adjustment mechanism for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association; creating a temporary postretirement option program for employees covered by the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; setting a statute of limitations for erroneous receipts of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; permitting the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System board to create an early separation incentive program; permitting certain Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty members to make a second chance retirement coverage election upon achieving tenure; including the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc., in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; extending the approval deadline date for the inclusion of the Clearwater County Hospital in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; requiring a report; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 3A.02, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 3A.03, by adding a subdivision; 3A.04, by adding a subdivision; 3A.115; 11A.08, subdivision 1; 11A.17, subdivisions 1, 2; 11A.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 43A.34, subdivision 4; 43A.346, subdivisions 2, 6; 69.011, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 69.021, subdivisions 7, 9; 69.031, subdivisions 1, 5; 69.77, subdivision 4; 69.771, subdivision 3; 69.772, subdivisions 4, 6; 69.773, subdivision 6; 299A.465, subdivision 1; 352.01, subdivision 2b, by adding subdivisions; 352.021, by adding a subdivision; 352.04, subdivisions 1, 12; 352.061; 352.113, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 352.115, by adding a subdivision; 352.12, by adding a subdivision; 352.75, subdivisions 3, 4; 352.86, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2; 352.91, subdivision 3d; 352.911, subdivisions 3, 5; 352.93, by adding a subdivision; 352.931, by adding a subdivision; 352.95, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 352B.02, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1c, 1d; 352B.08, by adding a subdivision; 352B.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; 352B.11, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 352C.10; 352D.06, subdivision 1; 352D.065, by adding a subdivision; 352D.075, by adding a subdivision; 353.01, subdivisions 2, 2a, 6, 11b, 16, 16b; 353.0161, subdivision 1; 353.03, subdivision 3a; 353.06; 353.27, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 7, 7b; 353.29, by adding a subdivision; 353.31, subdivision 1b, by adding a subdivision; 353.33, subdivisions 1, 3b, 7, 11, 12, by adding subdivisions; 353.65, subdivisions 2, 3; 353.651, by adding a subdivision; 353.656, subdivision 5a, by adding a subdivision; 353.657, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 353.665, subdivision 3; 353A.02, subdivisions 14, 23; 353A.05, subdivisions 1, 2; 353A.08, subdivisions 1, 3, 6a; 353A.081, subdivision 2; 353A.09, subdivision 1; 353A.10, subdivisions 2, 3; 353E.01, subdivisions 3, 5; 353E.04, by adding a subdivision; 353E.06, by adding a subdivision; 353E.07, by adding a subdivision; 353F.02, subdivision 4; 354.05, by adding a subdivision; 354.07, subdivision 4; 354.33, subdivision 5; 354.35, by adding a subdivision; 354.42, subdivisions 1a, 2; 354.44, subdivisions 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 354.46, by adding a subdivision; 354.47, subdivision 1; 354.48, subdivisions 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 354.49, subdivision 2; 354.52, subdivisions 2a, 4b; 354.55, subdivisions 11, 13; 354.66, subdivision 6; 354.70, subdivisions 5, 6; 354A.096; 354A.12, subdivision 2a, by adding subdivisions; 354A.29, subdivision 3; 354A.36, subdivision 6; 354B.21, subdivision 2; 356.20, subdivision 2; 356.215, subdivisions 1, 11; 356.219, subdivision 3; 356.32, subdivision 2; 356.351, subdivision 2; 356.401, subdivisions 2, 3; 356.465, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 356.611, subdivisions 3, 4; 356.635, subdivisions 6, 7; 356.96, subdivisions 1, 5; 422A.06, subdivision 8; 422A.08, subdivision 5; 423A.02, subdivisions 1, 3; 423C.03, subdivision 1; 424A.001, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 424A.01; 424A.02, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 7, 8, 9, 9a, 9b, 10, 12, 13; 424A.021; 424A.03; 424A.04; 424A.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 424A.06; 424A.07; 424A.08; 424A.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 424B.10, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 424B.21; 471.61, subdivision 1; 490.123, subdivisions 1, 3; 490.124, by adding a subdivision; Laws 1989, chapter 319, article 11, section 13; Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 5, section 5, as amended; Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 14, section 13; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 136F; 352B; 353; 354; 356; 420; 424A; 424B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 11A.041; 11A.18; 11A.181; 352.119, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 352.86, subdivision 3; 352B.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11; 352B.26, subdivisions 1, 3; 353.271; 353A.02, subdivision 20; 353A.09, subdivisions 2, 3; 354.05, subdivision 26; 354.06, subdivision 6; 354.55, subdivision 14; 354.63; 354A.29, subdivisions 2, 4, 5; 356.2165; 356.41; 356.431, subdivision 2; 422A.01, subdivision 13; 422A.06, subdivision 4; 422A.08, subdivision 5a; 424A.001, subdivision 7; 424A.02, subdivisions 4, 6, 8a, 8b, 9b; 424A.09; 424B.10, subdivision 1; 490.123, subdivisions 1c, 1e.

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

ARTICLE 1

MINNESOTA POST RETIREMENT
INVESTMENT FUND DISSOLUTION ACCOMMODATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Appropriation.

The amounts required for payment of retirement allowances provided by this section are appropriated annually to the director from the deleted text begin participation of thedeleted text end legislators retirement deleted text begin plan in the Minnesota postretirement investmentdeleted text end fundnew text begin or from the general fund as provided in section 3A.115new text end . The retirement allowance deleted text begin must be paiddeleted text end new text begin is payablenew text end monthly to the recipients entitled to those retirement allowances.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A retirement allowance under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Legislators retirement fund. new text end

new text begin (a) The legislators retirement fund, a special retirement fund, is created within the state treasury 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 assets. new text end

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.115, is amended to read:

3A.115 RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE APPROPRIATION; new text begin POSTRETIREMENT new text end ADJUSTMENT.

new text begin (a) new text end The amount necessary to fund the retirement allowance granted under this chapter to a former legislator deleted text begin upon retirementdeleted text end new text begin retiring after June 30, 2003, new text end is appropriated from the general fund to the director to pay pension obligations due to the retiree.

new text begin (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 retiree. new text end

new text begin (c)new text end Retirement allowances payable to retired legislators and their survivors under this chapter must be adjusted deleted text begin in the same manner, at the same times, and in the same amounts as are benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund to retirees of a participating public pension funddeleted text end new text begin as provided in sections 3A.02, subdivision 6, and 356.415new text end .

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

There is created an Investment Advisory Council consisting of 17 members. Ten of these members deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be experienced in general investment matters. deleted text begin They shall be appointed by the state boarddeleted text end new text begin The state board must appoint the ten membersnew text end . The other seven members deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin arenew text end : the commissioner of finance; the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System; the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association; the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association; a retiree currently receiving benefits from deleted text begin the postretirement investment funddeleted text end new text begin a statewide retirement plannew text end ; and two public employees who are active members of funds whose assets are invested by the state board. The new text begin governor must appoint the new text end retiree and the public employees deleted text begin shall be appointed by the governordeleted text end for four-year terms.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Certification of assets not needed for immediate use.

Each executive director administering a retirement fund or plan enumerated in subdivision 4 shall, from time to time, certify to the state board for investment those portions of the assets of the retirement fund or plan which in the judgment of the executive director are not required for immediate use. deleted text begin Assets of the fund or plan required for participation in the Minnesota postretirement adjustment fund, the combined investment fund, or the supplemental investment fund shall be transferred to those funds as provided by sections 11A.01 to 11A.25.deleted text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Investment.

Retirement fund assets certified to the state board deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin undernew text end subdivision 1 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be invested by the state board subject to the provisions of section 11A.24. Retirement fund assets transferred to deleted text begin the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,deleted text end the combined investment fund or the supplemental investment fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be invested by the state board as part of those funds.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.021, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Determining applicable law. new text end

new text begin An annuity under this chapter must be computed under the law in effect as of the last day for which the employee receives pay, or if on medical leave, the day that the leave terminates. However, if the employee has returned to covered employment following a termination, the employee must have earned at least six months of allowable service following a return to employment as a state employee in order to qualify for improved benefits resulting from any law change enacted subsequent to that termination. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Fund created.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end There is created a special fund to be known as the general state employees retirement fund. In that fund, employee contributions, employer contributions, and other amounts authorized by law must be deposited.

deleted text begin (b) The general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System must participate in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. The amounts provided in section 352.119 must be deposited in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. deleted text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.04, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Fund disbursement restricted.

The general state employees retirement fund deleted text begin and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end must be disbursed only for the purposes provided by law. The expenses of the system and any benefits provided by lawdeleted text begin , other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,deleted text end must be paid from the general state employees retirement fund. The retirement allowances, retirement annuities, and disability benefits, as well as refunds of any sum remaining to the credit of a deceased retired employee or a disabled employee must be paid deleted text begin onlydeleted text end from the general state employees retirement fund deleted text begin after the needs have been certified and the amounts withdrawn from the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund under section 11A.18deleted text end . The amounts necessary to make the payments from the general state employees retirement fund deleted text begin and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end are annually appropriated from deleted text begin these fundsdeleted text end new text begin that fund new text end for those purposes.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.061, is amended to read:

352.061 INVESTMENT BOARD TO INVEST FUNDS.

The director shall, from time to time, certify to the State Board of Investment any portions of the state employees retirement fund that in the judgment of the director are not required for immediate use. deleted text begin Assets from the state employees retirement fund must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 11A.18.deleted text end The State Board of Investment shall invest and reinvest sums so deleted text begin transferred, ordeleted text end certifieddeleted text begin ,deleted text end in securities that are duly authorized legal investments under section 11A.24.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.113, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.115, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A retirement annuity under this section and section 352.116 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2c. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under subdivision 2, 2a, or 2b is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.75, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Existing retired members and benefit recipients.

As of July 1, 1978, the liability for all retirement annuities, disability benefits, survivorship annuities, and survivor of deceased active employee benefits paid or payable by the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund is transferred to the Minnesota State Retirement System, and is no longer the liability of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund. deleted text begin The required reserves for retirement annuities, disability benefits, and optional joint and survivor annuities in effect on June 30, 1978, and the required reserves for the increase in annuities and benefits provided under subdivision 6 must be determined using a five percent interest assumption and the applicable Minnesota State Retirement System mortality table and shall be transferred by the Minnesota State Retirement System to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund on July 1, 1978, but shall be considered transferred as of June 30, 1978. The annuity or benefit amount in effect on July 1, 1978, including the increase granted under subdivision 6, must be used for adjustments made under section 11A.18.deleted text end For persons receiving benefits as survivors of deceased former retirement annuitants, the benefits must be considered as having commenced on the date on which the retirement annuitant began receiving the retirement annuity.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.75, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Existing deferred retirees.

Any former member of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund is entitled to a retirement annuity from the Minnesota State Retirement System if the employee:

(1) is not an active employee of the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission on July 1, 1978; (2) has at least ten years of active continuous service with the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission as defined by the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement plan document in effect on December 31, 1977; (3) has not received a refund of contributions; (4) has not retired or begun receiving an annuity or benefit from the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund; (5) is at least 55 years old; and (6) submits a valid application for a retirement annuity to the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

The person is entitled to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal old age retirement allowance calculated under the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund plan document in effect on December 31, 1977, subject to an early retirement reduction or adjustment in amount on account of retirement before the normal retirement age specified in that former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund plan document.

The deferred retirement annuity of any person to whom this subdivision applies must be augmented. The required reserves applicable to the deferred retirement annuity, determined as of the date the allowance begins to accrue using an appropriate mortality table and an interest assumption of five percent, must be augmented by interest at the rate of five percent per year compounded annually from January 1, 1978, to January 1, 1981, and three percent per year compounded annually from January 1, 1981, to the first day of the month in which the annuity begins to accrue. deleted text begin Upondeleted text end new text begin After new text end the commencement of the retirement annuity, the deleted text begin required reserves for thedeleted text end annuity deleted text begin must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund in accordance with subdivision 2 and section 352.119deleted text end new text begin is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415new text end . On applying for a retirement annuity under this subdivision, the person is entitled to elect a joint and survivor optional annuity under section 352.116, subdivision 3.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.911, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Investment.

deleted text begin The correctional employees retirement fund shall participate in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund and in that fund there shall be deposited the amounts provided in section 352.119.deleted text end The deleted text begin balance of anydeleted text end assets of the fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be deposited in the Minnesota combined investment funds as provided in section 11A.14, if applicable, or otherwise under section 11A.23.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.911, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Fund disbursement restricted.

The correctional employees retirement fund deleted text begin and its share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be disbursed only for the purposes provided for in the applicable provisions in this chapter. The proportional share of the expenses of the system and any benefits provided in deleted text begin sectionsdeleted text end new text begin sectionnew text end 352.90 deleted text begin to 352.951, other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be paid from the correctional employees retirement fund. The retirement allowances, retirement annuities, the disability benefits, the survivorship benefits, and any refunds of accumulated deductions deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be paid deleted text begin onlydeleted text end from the correctional employees retirement fund deleted text begin after those needs have been certified by the executive director and the amounts withdrawn from the share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement fund under section 11A.18deleted text end . The amounts necessary to make the payments from the correctional employees retirement fund deleted text begin and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end are annually appropriated from deleted text begin those fundsdeleted text end new text begin that fund new text end for those purposes.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.93, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A retirement annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.931, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:

Subd. 1d.

Fund revenue and expenses.

The amounts provided for in this section must be credited to the State Patrol retirement fund. All money received must be deposited by the commissioner of finance in the State Patrol retirement fund. The fund must be used to pay the administrative expenses of the retirement fund, and the benefits and annuities provided in this chapter. deleted text begin Appropriate amounts shall be transferred to or withdrawn from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 352B.26.deleted text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A retirement annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.11, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2e. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under subdivision 2, 2b, or 2c is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352C.10, is amended to read:

352C.10 BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS.

Retirement allowances payable to retired constitutional officers and surviving spouse benefits payable must be adjusted deleted text begin in the same manner, at the same times and in the same amounts as are benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund to retirees of a participating public pension funddeleted text end new text begin under section 356.415new text end .

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Annuity; reserves.

When a participant attains at least age 55, terminates from covered service, and applies for a retirement annuity, the cash value of the participant's shares deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be transferred to the deleted text begin Minnesota postretirement investmentdeleted text end new text begin general state employees retirement new text end fund and new text begin must be new text end used to provide an annuity for the retired employee based upon the participant's age when the benefit begins to accrue according to the reserve basis used by the general state employees retirement plan in determining pensions and reserves.new text begin The annuity under this subdivision is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.065, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.075, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.06, is amended to read:

353.06 STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT TO INVEST FUNDS.

The executive director shall from time to time certify to the State Board of Investment for investment such portions of the retirement fund as in its judgment may not be required for immediate use. deleted text begin Assets from the public employees retirement fund shall be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 11A.18.deleted text end The State Board of Investment shall thereupon invest and reinvest the sum so certified, or transferred, in such securities as are duly authorized as legal investments for state employees retirement fund and shall have authority to sell, convey, and exchange such securities and invest and reinvest the securities when it deems it desirable to do so and shall sell securities upon request of the board of trustees when such funds are needed for its purposes. All of the provisions regarding accounting procedures and restrictions and conditions for the purchase and sale of securities deleted text begin for the state employees retirement fund shalldeleted text end new text begin under chapter 11A must new text end apply to the accounting, purchase and sale of securities for the public employees retirement fund.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Income; disbursements.

There is a special fund known as the "public employees retirement fund," the "retirement fund," or the "fund," which deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end include all the assets of the association. This fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be credited with all contributions, all interest and all other income authorized by law. From this fund there is appropriated the payments authorized by this chapter in the amounts and at such time provided herein, including the expenses of administering the funddeleted text begin , and including the proper share of the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end .

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin An annuity under this section or section 353.30 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.31, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Joint and survivor option.

(a) Prior to payment of a surviving spouse benefit under subdivision 1, the surviving spouse may elect to receive the 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity under section 353.32, subdivision 1a, rather than a surviving spouse benefit.

(b) If there is a dependent child or children, and the 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity for the surviving spouse, when added to the dependent children's benefit under subdivisions 1 and 1a, exceeds an amount equal to 70 percent of the member's specified average monthly salary, the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity under section 353.32, subdivision 1a, must be reduced by the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount under subdivision 1a.

(c) The 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored to the surviving spouse, plus applicable postretirement deleted text begin funddeleted text end adjustments under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 356.41new text begin , through January 1, 2009, and thereafter under section 356.415new text end , as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under subdivision 1 or 1b or section 353.32, subdivision 1a, 1b, or 1c is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

Subd. 3b.

Optional annuity election.

A disabled member may elect to receive the normal disability benefit or an optional annuity under section 353.30, subdivision 3. The election of an optional annuity must be made prior to the commencement of payment of the disability benefit. The optional annuity must begin to accrue on the same date as provided for the disability benefit.

(1) If a person who is not the spouse of a member is named as beneficiary of the joint and survivor optional annuity, the person is eligible to receive the annuity only if the spouse, on the disability application form prescribed by the executive director, permanently waives the surviving spouse benefits under sections 353.31, subdivision 1, and 353.32, subdivision 1a. If the spouse of the member refuses to permanently waive the surviving spouse coverage, the selection of a person other than the spouse of the member as a joint annuitant is invalid.

(2) If the spouse of the member permanently waives survivor coverage, the dependent children, if any, continue to be eligible for survivor benefits under section 353.31, subdivision 1, including the minimum benefit in section 353.31, subdivision 1a. The designated optional annuity beneficiary may draw the monthly benefit; however, the amount payable to the dependent child or children and joint annuitant must not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1a. If the maximum is exceeded, the benefit of the joint annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount.

(3) If the spouse is named as the beneficiary of the joint and survivor optional annuity, the spouse may draw the monthly benefits; however, the amount payable to the dependent child or children and the joint annuitant must not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1a. If the maximum is exceeded, each dependent child will receive ten percent of the member's specified average monthly salary, and the benefit to the joint annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount. The joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored to the surviving spouse, plus applicable postretirement adjustments under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 356.41new text begin or section 356.415new text end , as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Partial reemployment.

If, following a work or non-work-related injury or illness, a disabled person who remains totally and permanently disabled as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 19, has income from employment that is not substantial gainful activity and the rate of earnings from that employment are less than the salary rate at the date of disability or the salary rate currently paid for positions similar to the employment position held by the disabled person immediately before becoming disabled, whichever is greater, the executive director shall continue the disability benefit in an amount that, when added to the earnings and any workers' compensation benefit, does not exceed the salary rate at the date of disability or the salary currently paid for positions similar to the employment position held by the disabled person immediately before becoming disabled, whichever is higher. The disability benefit under this subdivision may not exceed the disability benefit originally allowed, plus any postretirement adjustments payable after December 31, 1988, in accordance with new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 11A.18, subdivision 10new text begin , or Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41, through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415new text end . No deductions for the retirement fund may be taken from the salary of a disabled person who is receiving a disability benefit as provided in this subdivision.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.651, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.656, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Cessation of disability benefit.

(a) The association shall cease the payment of any disability benefit the first of the month following the reinstatement of a member to full time or less than full-time service in a position covered by the police and fire fund.

(b) A disability benefit paid to a disabled member of the police and fire plan, that was granted under laws in effect after June 30, 2007, terminates at the end of the month in which the member:

(1) reaches normal retirement age;

(2) if the disability benefit is payable for a 60-month period as determined under subdivisions 1 and 3, as applicable, the first of the month following the expiration of the 60-month period; or

(3) if the disabled member so chooses, the end of the month in which the member has elected to convert to an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, subdivision 4.

(c) If the police and fire plan member continues to be disabled when the disability benefit terminates under this subdivision, the member is deemed to be retired. The individual is entitled to receive a normal retirement annuity or an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, whichever is applicable, as further specified in paragraph (d) or (e). If the individual did not previously elect an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), the individual may elect an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, paragraph (b).

(d) A member of the police and fire plan who is receiving a disability benefit under this section may, upon application, elect to receive an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, subdivision 4, at any time after attaining age 50, but must convert to a retirement annuity no later than the end of the month in which the disabled member attains normal retirement age. An early retirement annuity elected under this subdivision must be calculated on the disabled member's accrued years of service and average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, and when elected, the member is deemed to be retired.

(e) When an individual's benefit is recalculated as a retirement annuity under this section, the annuity must be based on clause (1) or clause (2), whichever provides the greater amount:

(1) the benefit amount at the time of reclassification, including all prior adjustments provided under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 11A.18new text begin , through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415new text end ; or

(2) a benefit amount computed on the member's actual years of accrued allowable service credit and the law in effect at the time the disability benefit first accrued, plus any increases that would have applied since that date under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 11A.18new text begin , through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415new text end .

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.656, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the applicable maximum. The joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored, plus applicable postretirement adjustments under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 356.41new text begin or section 356.415new text end , as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.657, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.665, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Transfer of assets.

Unless the municipality has elected to retain the consolidation account under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), the assets of the former local police or fire consolidation account must be transferred and upon transfer, the actuarial value of the assets of a former local police or fire consolidation account less an amount equal to the residual assets as determined under subdivision 7, paragraph (f), are the assets of the public employees police and fire fund as of July 1, 1999. deleted text begin The participation of a consolidation account in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund becomes part of the participation of the public employees police and fire fund in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund.deleted text end The deleted text begin remainingdeleted text end assets, excluding the amounts for distribution under subdivision 7, paragraph (f), become an asset of the public employees police and fire fund. The public employees police and fire fund also must be credited as an asset with the amount of receivable assets under subdivision 7, paragraph (e).

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.02, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Ineligible investments.

"Ineligible investments" means any investment security or other asset held by the relief association at or after the initiation of the consolidation procedure which does not comply with the applicable requirements or limitations of sections 11A.09, deleted text begin 11A.18,deleted text end 11A.23, and 11A.24.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:

Subd. 23.

Postretirement adjustment.

"Postretirement adjustment" means any periodic or regular procedure for modifying the amount of a retirement annuity, service pension, disability benefit, or survivor benefit after the start of that annuity, pension, or benefit, including but not limited to modifications of amounts deleted text begin from the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end under section deleted text begin 11A.18, subdivision 9deleted text end new text begin 356.415new text end , or any benefit escalation or benefit amount modification based on changes in the salaries payable to active police officers or salaried firefighters or changes in a cost-of-living index as provided for in the existing relief association benefit plan.

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commission actions.

(a) Upon initiation of consolidation as provided in section 353A.04, the executive director of the commission shall direct the actuary retained under section 356.214 to undertake the preparation of the actuarial calculations necessary to complete the consolidation.

(b) These actuarial calculations shall include for each active member, each deferred former member, each retired member, and each current beneficiary the computation of the present value of future benefits, the future normal costs, if any, and the actuarial accrued liability on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan and on the basis of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan. These actuarial calculations shall also include for the total active, deferred, retired, and benefit recipient membership the sum of the present value of future benefits, the future normal costs, if any, and the actuarial accrued liability on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan, on the basis of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan, and on the basis of the benefit plan which produced the largest present value of future benefits for each person. The actuarial calculations shall be prepared using the entry age actuarial cost method for all components of the benefit plan and using the actuarial assumptions applicable to the fund for the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215, except that the actuarial calculations on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan shall be prepared using an interest rate actuarial assumption during the postretirement period which is in the same amount as the interest rate actuarial assumption applicable to the preretirement period. The actuarial calculations shall include the computation of the present value of the initial postretirement adjustment anticipated by the executive director of the state board as payable after the effective date of the consolidation deleted text begin from the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end under section deleted text begin 11A.18deleted text end new text begin 356.415new text end .

(c) The chief administrative officer of the relief association shall, upon request, provide in a timely manner to the executive director of the commission and to the actuary retained under section 356.214 the most current available information or documents, whichever applies, regarding the demographics of the active, deferred, retired, and benefit recipient membership of the relief association, the financial condition of the relief association, and the existing benefit plan of the relief association.

(d) Upon completion of the actuarial calculations required by this subdivision, the actuary retained under section 356.214 shall issue a report in the form of an appropriate summary of the actuarial calculations and shall provide a copy of that report to the executive director of the commission, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the chief administrative officer of the relief association, the chief administrative officer of the municipality in which the relief association is located, and the state auditor.

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

State board actions.

(a) Upon approval of consolidation by the membership as provided in section 353A.04, the executive director of the state board shall review the existing investment portfolio of the relief association for compliance with the requirements and limitations set forth in sections 11A.09, 11A.14, deleted text begin 11A.18,deleted text end 11A.23, and 11A.24 and for appropriateness for retention in the light of the established investment objectives of the state board. The executive director of the state board, using any reporting service retained by the state board, shall determine the approximate market value of the existing assets of the relief association upon the effective date of consolidation and the transfer of assets from the relief association to the individual relief association consolidation accounts at market value.

(b) The state board may require that the relief association liquidate any investment security or other item of value which is determined to be ineligible or inappropriate for retention by the state board. The liquidation shall occur before the effective date of consolidation and transfer of assets.

(c) If requested to do so by the chief administrative officer of the relief association or of the municipality, the state board shall provide advice on the means and procedures available to liquidate investment securities and other assets determined to be ineligible or inappropriate.

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Election of coverage by current retirees.

(a) A person who is receiving a service pension, disability benefit, or survivor benefit is eligible to elect benefit coverage provided under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan or to retain benefit coverage provided under the relief association benefit plan in effect on the effective date of the consolidation. The relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are limited to deleted text begin participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund fordeleted text end any future postretirement adjustments new text begin under section 356.415 new text end based on the amount of the benefit or pension payable on December 31, if December 31 is the effective date of consolidation, or on the December 1 following the effective date of the consolidation, if other than December 31. The survivor benefit payable on behalf of any service pension or disability benefit recipient who elects benefit coverage under the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan must be calculated under the relief association benefit plan and is subject to deleted text begin participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for anydeleted text end future postretirement adjustments new text begin under section 356.415 new text end based on the amount of the survivor benefit payable.

(b) A survivor benefit calculated under the relief association benefit plan which is first payable after June 30, 1997, to the surviving spouse of a retired member of a consolidation account who, before July 1, 1997, chose deleted text begin to participate in the Minnesotadeleted text end postretirement deleted text begin investment funddeleted text end new text begin adjustments new text end as provided under deleted text begin this subdivisiondeleted text end new text begin section 356.415 new text end must be increased on the effective date of the survivor benefit on an actuarial equivalent basis to reflect the change in the postretirement interest rate actuarial assumption under section 356.215, subdivision 8, from five percent to six percent under a calculation procedure and tables adopted by the board and approved by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

(c) By electing the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan, a current service pension or disability benefit recipient who, as of the first January 1 occurring after the effective date of consolidation, has been receiving the pension or benefit for at least seven months, or any survivor benefit recipient who, as of the first January 1 occurring after the effective date of consolidation, has been receiving the benefit on the person's own behalf or in combination with a prior applicable service pension or disability benefit for at least seven months is eligible to receive a partial adjustment payable deleted text begin from the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end under section deleted text begin 11A.18, subdivision 9deleted text end new text begin 356.415new text end .

(d) The election by any pension or benefit recipient must be made on or before the deadline established by the board of the Public Employees Retirement Association in a manner that recognizes the number of persons eligible to make the election and the anticipated time required to conduct any required benefit counseling.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Election of coverage by active members.

(a) A person who is an active member of a police or fire relief association, other than a volunteer firefighter, has the option to elect benefit coverage under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund or to retain benefit coverage provided by the relief association benefit plan in effect on the effective date of consolidation. The relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are the relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan applicable to retirement annuities, disability benefits, and survivor benefits, including deleted text begin participation in the Minnesotadeleted text end postretirement deleted text begin investment funddeleted text end new text begin adjustments under section 356.415new text end , but excluding any provisions governing the purchase of credit for prior service or making payments in lieu of member contribution deductions applicable to any period which occurred before the effective date of consolidation.

(b) An active member is eligible to make an election at one of the following times:

(1) within six months of the effective date of consolidation;

(2) between the date on which the active member attains the age of 49 years and six months and the date on which the active member attains the age of 50 years; or

(3) on the date on which the active member terminates active employment for purposes of receiving a service pension or disability benefits, or within 90 days of the date the member terminates active employment and defers receipt of a service pension, whichever applies.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.081, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Election of coverage.

(a) Individuals eligible under subdivision 1 may elect, on a form prescribed by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, to have survivor benefits calculated under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan or to have survivor benefits calculated under the relief association benefit plan. The relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are the relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan applicable to survivor benefits, including deleted text begin participation in the Minnesotadeleted text end postretirement deleted text begin investment funddeleted text end new text begin adjustments under section 356.415new text end .

(b) If the election results in an increased benefit amount to the surviving spouse eligible under subdivision 1, or to eligible children if there is no surviving spouse, the increased benefit accrues as of the date on which the survivor benefits payable to the survivors from the consolidation account were first paid. The back payment of any increase in prior benefit amounts, plus any postretirement adjustments payable under section deleted text begin 356.41deleted text end new text begin 356.415new text end , or any increase payable under the local relief association bylaws is payable as soon as practicable after the effective date of the election.

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment of consolidation accounts.

(a) The board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall establish a separate consolidation account for each local relief association of a municipality that consolidates with the Public Employees Retirement Association. The association shall credit to the consolidation account the assets of the individual consolidating local relief association upon transfer, member contributions received after consolidation under subdivision 4, municipal contributions received after consolidation under subdivision 5, and a proportionate share of any investment income earned after consolidation. From the consolidation account, the association shall pay deleted text begin for the transfer of any required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund on account of persons electing the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under subdivisions 2 and 3 and section 353.271, subdivision 2,deleted text end the pension and benefit amounts on account of persons electing coverage by the relief association benefit plan under section 353A.08, the benefit amounts deleted text begin notdeleted text end payable deleted text begin from the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end on account of persons electing the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under section 353A.08, and any direct administrative expenses related to the consolidation account, and the proportional share of the general administrative expenses of the association.

(b) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, the liabilities and the assets of a consolidation account must be considered for all purposes to be separate from the balance of the public employees police and fire fund. The consolidation account must be subject to separate accounting, a separate actuarial valuation, and must be reported as a separate exhibit in any annual financial report or actuarial valuation report of the public employees police and fire consolidation fund, whichever applies. The executive director of the public employees retirement association shall maintain separate accounting records and balances for each consolidation account.

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Collection of late contributions.

In the event of a refusal by a municipality in which was located a local police or firefighters relief association which has consolidated with the fund to pay to the fund any amount or amounts due under section 353A.09, subdivisions deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 4new text end to 6, the executive director of the public employees retirement association may notify the Department of Revenue, the Department of Finance, and the state auditor of the refusal and commence the necessary procedure to collect the amount or amounts due from the amount of any state aid under sections 69.011 to 69.051, amortization state aid under section 423A.02, or supplemental amortization state aid under Laws 1984, chapter 564, section 48, as amended by Laws 1986, chapter 359, section 20, which is payable to the municipality or to certify the amount or amounts due to the county auditor for inclusion in the next tax levy of the municipality or for collection from other revenue available to the municipality, or both.

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Levy and bonding authority.

A municipality in which was located a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the fund may issue general obligation bonds of the municipality to defray all or a portion of the principal amounts specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 4new text end to 6, or certify to the county auditor a levy in the amount necessary to defray all or a portion of the principal amount specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 4new text end to 6, or the annual amount specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 4new text end to 6. The municipality may pledge the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the municipality for the payment of the principal of and interest on the general obligation bonds. Any municipal bond may be issued without an election under section 475.58 and may not be included in the net debt of the municipality for purposes of any charter or statutory debt limitation, nor may any tax levy for the payment of bond principal or interest be subject to any limitation concerning rate or amount established by charter or law.

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Investment.

deleted text begin (a) The public employees local government correctional service retirement fund participates in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) The amounts provided in section 353.271 must be deposited in that fund. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The balance of anydeleted text end Assets of the new text begin public employees local government correctional service retirement new text end fund must be deposited in the Minnesota combined investment fund as provided in section 11A.14, if applicable, or otherwise invested under section 11A.23.

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Fund disbursement restricted.

(a) The public employees local government correctional service retirement fund deleted text begin and its share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end may be disbursed only for the purposes provided for in this chapter.

(b) The proportional share of the necessary and reasonable administrative expenses of the association and any benefits provided in this chapterdeleted text begin , other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,deleted text end must be paid from the public employees local government correctional service retirement fund. Retirement annuities, disability benefits, survivorship benefits, and any refunds of accumulated deductions may be paid only from the correctional service retirement fund after those needs have been certified by the executive director deleted text begin and any applicable amounts withdrawn from the share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement fund under section 11A.18deleted text end .

(c) The amounts necessary to make the payments from the public employees local government correctional service retirement fund deleted text begin and its participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end are annually appropriated from those funds for those purposes.

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Certification of funds to State Board of Investment.

It deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end the duty of the board from time to time to certify to the State Board of Investment for investment as much of the funds in its hands as shall not be needed for current purposes. deleted text begin Such funds that are certified as to investment in the postretirement investment fund shall include the amount as required for the total reserves needed for the purposes described in section 354.63.deleted text end The State Board of Investment shall thereupon deleted text begin transfer such assets to the appropriate fund provided herein, in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 354.63, ordeleted text end invest and reinvest an amount equal to the sum so certified in such securities as are now or may hereafter be duly authorized legal investments for state employees retirement fund and all such securities so transferred or purchased deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be deposited with the commissioner of finance. All interest from these investments deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be credited to the deleted text begin appropriate fundsdeleted text end new text begin teachers retirement fund new text end and used for current purposes or investments, except as hereinafter provided. The State Board of Investment deleted text begin shall havedeleted text end new text begin hasnew text end authority to sell, convey, and exchange such securities and invest and reinvest the funds when it deems it desirable to do so, and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end sell securities upon request of the officers of the association when such officers determine funds are needed for its purposes. All of the provisions regarding accounting procedures and restrictions and conditions for the purchase and sale of securities deleted text begin for the state employees retirement fund shalldeleted text end new text begin under chapter 11A must new text end apply to the accounting, purchase and sale of securities for the Teachers' Retirement Association.

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.33, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Retirees not eligible for federal benefits.

When any person retires after July 1, 1973, who (1) has ten or more years of allowable service, and (2) does not have any retroactive Social Security coverage by reason of the person's position in the retirement system, and (3) does not qualify for federal old age and survivor primary benefits at the time of retirement, the annuity must be computed under section 354.44, subdivision 2, of the law in effect on June 30, 1969, except that accumulations after June 30, 1957, must be calculated using the deleted text begin samedeleted text end new text begin most recent new text end mortality table new text begin approved under section 356.215, subdivision 18, new text end and deleted text begin interest assumption as are used to transfer the required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end new text begin using the applicable postretirement interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8new text end .

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.35, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Teachers retirement fund.

(a) Within the Teachers Retirement Association and the state treasury is created a special retirement fund, which must include all the assets of the Teachers Retirement Association and all revenue of the association. The fund is the continuation of the fund established under Laws 1931, chapter 406, section 2, notwithstanding the repeal of Minnesota Statutes 1973, section 354.42, subdivision 1, by Laws 1974, chapter 289, section 59.

(b) The teachers retirement fund must be credited with all employee and employer contributions, all investment revenue and gains, and all other income authorized by law.

(c) From the teachers retirement fund is appropriated the payments of annuities and benefits authorized by this chapterdeleted text begin , the transfers to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,deleted text end and the reasonable and necessary expenses of administering the fund and the association.

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) A retirement annuity under subdivision 2 or 6 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

new text begin (b) Retirement annuities payable from the teachers retirement plan must not be in an amount less than the amount originally determined on the date of retirement and as adjusted on each succeeding January 1 under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18, before January 1, 2010, and under section 356.415 after December 31, 2009. new text end

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.46, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A survivor benefit under subdivision 1, 2, 2a, or 2b, is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 66.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 67.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.55, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Pre-1969 law retirements.

Any person who ceased teaching service prior to July 1, 1968, who has ten years or more of allowable service and left accumulated deductions in the fund for the purpose of receiving when eligible a retirement annuity, and retires deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end have the annuity computed in accordance with the law in effect on June 30, 1969, except that the portion of the annuity based on accumulations after June 30, 1957, under Minnesota Statutes 1967, section 354.44, subdivision 2, and accumulations under Minnesota Statutes 1967, section 354.33, subdivision 1, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be calculated using the mortality table established by the board under section 354.07, subdivision 1, new text begin and approved under section 356.215, subdivision 18, new text end and the new text begin postretirement new text end interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, deleted text begin to transfer the required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end new text begin subdivision 8new text end .

Sec. 68.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.70, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Transfer of assets.

(a) On or before June 30, 2006, the chief administrative officer of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall transfer to the Teachers Retirement Association the entire assets of the special retirement fund of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association. The transfer of the assets of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association special retirement fund must include any accounts receivable that are determined by the executive director of the State Board of Investment as reasonably capable of being collected. Legal title to account receivables that are determined by the executive director of the State Board of Investment as not reasonably capable of being collected transfers to Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, as of the date of the determination of the executive director of the State Board of Investment. If the account receivables transferred to Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, are subsequently recovered by the school district, the superintendent of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, shall transfer the recovered amount to the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association, in cash, for deposit in the teachers retirement fund, less the reasonable expenses of the school district related to the recovery.

(b) As of June 30, 2006, assets of the special retirement fund of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association are assets of the Teachers Retirement Association to be invested by the State Board of Investment pursuant to the provisions of section 354.07, subdivision 4. The Teachers Retirement Association is the successor in interest to all claims which the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association may have or may assert against any person and is the successor in interest to all claims which could have been asserted against the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, subject to the following exceptions and qualifications:

(1) the Teachers Retirement Association is not liable for any claim against the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, its former board or board members, which is founded upon a claim of breach of fiduciary duty, where the act or acts constituting the claimed breach were not done in good faith;

(2) the Teachers Retirement Association may assert any applicable defense to any claim in any judicial or administrative proceeding that the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association or its board would otherwise have been entitled to assert;

(3) the Teachers Retirement Association may assert any applicable defense that the Teachers Retirement Association may assert in its capacity as a statewide agency; and

(4) the Teachers Retirement Association shall indemnify any former fiduciary of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association consistent with the provisions of the Public Pension Fiduciary Responsibility Act, in section 356A.11.

(c) From the assets of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association transferred to the Teachers Retirement Association, an amount equal to the percentage figure that represents the ratio between the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2006, and the required reserves of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2006, applied to the present value of future benefits payable to annuitants of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association as of June 30, 2006, including any postretirement adjustment from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund expected to be payable on January 1, 2007, must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. The executive director of the State Board of Investment shall estimate this ratio at the time of the transfer. By January 1, 2007, after all necessary financial information becomes available to determine the actual funded ratio of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, the postretirement investment fund must refund to the Teachers Retirement Association any excess assets or the Teachers Retirement Association must contribute any deficiency to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund with interest under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 11A.18, subdivision 6. The balance of the assets of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association after the transfer to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund must be credited to the Teachers Retirement Association.

(d) If the assets transferred by the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association to the Teachers Retirement Association are insufficient to meet its obligation to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, additional assets must be transferred by the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association to meet the amount required.

Sec. 69.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.70, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Benefit calculation.

(a) For every deferred, inactive, disabled, and retired member of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association transferred under subdivision 1, and the survivors of these members, annuities or benefits earned before the date of the transfer, other than future postretirement adjustments, must be calculated and paid by the Teachers Retirement Association under the laws, articles of incorporation, and bylaws of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association that were in effect relative to the person on the date of the person's termination of active service covered by the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(b) Former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association members who retired before July 1, 2006, must receive postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2006, only as provided in new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, new text end section 11A.18new text begin or section 356.415new text end . All other benefit recipients of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association must receive postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2006, only as provided in section deleted text begin 356.41deleted text end new text begin 356.415new text end .

(c) This consolidation does not impair or diminish benefits for an active, deferred, or retired member or a survivor of an active, deferred, or retired member under the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association in existence at the time of the consolidation, except that any future guaranteed or investment-related postretirement adjustments must be paid after July 1, 2006, in accordance with paragraph (b), and all benefits based on service on or after July 1, 2006, must be determined only by laws governing the Teachers Retirement Association.

Sec. 70.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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" meansnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1) For the July 1, 2009, actuarial valuation,new text end the market value of all assets as of deleted text begin the precedingdeleted text end June 30, new text begin 2009, new text end reduced by:

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end between deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred three years earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2006,new text end and deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred four years earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2005,new text end and the computed increase in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end over that fiscal year period if the assets had deleted text begin increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred four years earlierdeleted text end new text begin earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2005new text end ;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (ii)new text end 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end between deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred two years earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2007,new text end and deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred three years earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2006,new text end and the computed increase in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end over that fiscal year period if the assets had deleted text begin increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred three years earlierdeleted text end new text begin earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2006new text end ;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (iii)new text end 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end between deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred one year earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2008,new text end and deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred two years earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2007,new text end and the computed increase in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end over that fiscal year period if the assets had deleted text begin increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred two years earlierdeleted text end new text begin earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2007new text end ; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (iv)new text end 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end between deleted text begin the immediately priordeleted text end June 30new text begin , 2009,new text end and deleted text begin thedeleted text end June 30 deleted text begin that occurred one year earlierdeleted text end new text begin , 2008,new text end and the computed increase in the market value of assets new text begin other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fundnew text end over that fiscal year period if the assets had deleted text begin increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred one year earlier.deleted text end new text begin 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; andnew text end

new text begin (v) if applicable, 80 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. new text end

new text begin (2) For the July 1, 2010, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2010, reduced by: new text end

new 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, 2007, and June 30, 2006, 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, 2006; new text end

new text begin (ii) 40 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, 2008, and June 30, 2007, 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, 2007; new text end

new text begin (iii) 60 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; new text end

new text begin (iv) 80 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; and new text end

new text begin (v) if applicable, 60 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. new text end

new text begin (3) For the July 1, 2011, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2011, reduced by: new text end

new 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, 2008, and June 30, 2007, 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, 2007; new text end

new text begin (ii) 40 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; new text end

new text begin (iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the total assets between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009, and the computed increase in the market value of the 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; new text end

new text begin (iv) 80 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; and new text end

new text begin (v) if applicable, 40 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. new text end

new text begin (4) For the July 1, 2012, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2012, reduced by: new text end

new 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; new text end

new 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; new text end

new 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; new text end

new 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 new text end

new 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. new text end

new text begin (5) For the July 1, 2013, and following actuarial valuations, the market value of all assets as of the preceding June 30, reduced by: new text end

new text begin (i) 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; new text end

new text begin (ii) 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; new text end

new text begin (iii) 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 new text end

new text begin (iv) 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. new text end

(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.

Sec. 71.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.215, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Amortization contributions.

(a) In addition to the exhibit indicating the level normal cost, the actuarial valuation of the retirement plan must contain an exhibit for financial reporting purposes indicating the additional annual contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability and must contain an exhibit for contribution determination purposes indicating the additional contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability. For the retirement plans listed in subdivision 8, paragraph (c), the additional contribution must be calculated on a level percentage of covered payroll basis by the established date for full funding in effect when the valuation is prepared, assuming annual payroll growth at the applicable percentage rate set forth in subdivision 8, paragraph (c). For all other retirement plans, the additional annual contribution must be calculated on a level annual dollar amount basis.

(b) For any retirement plan other than the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, and the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, if there has not been a change in the actuarial assumptions used for calculating the actuarial accrued liability of the fund, a change in the benefit plan governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund, a change in the actuarial cost method used in calculating the actuarial accrued liability of all or a portion of the fund, or a combination of the three, which change or changes by itself or by themselves without inclusion of any other items of increase or decrease produce a net increase in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund, the established date for full funding is the first actuarial valuation date occurring after June 1, 2020.

(c) For any retirement plan other than the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund and the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, if there has been a change in any or all of the actuarial assumptions used for calculating the actuarial accrued liability of the fund, a change in the benefit plan governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund, a change in the actuarial cost method used in calculating the actuarial accrued liability of all or a portion of the fund, or a combination of the three, and the change or changes, by itself or by themselves and without inclusion of any other items of increase or decrease, produce a net increase in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the fund, the established date for full funding must be determined using the following procedure:

(i) the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund must be determined in accordance with the plan provisions governing annuities and retirement benefits and the actuarial assumptions in effect before an applicable change;

(ii) the level annual dollar contribution or level percentage, whichever is applicable, needed to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount determined under item (i) by the established date for full funding in effect before the change must be calculated using the interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect before the change;

(iii) the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund must be determined in accordance with any new plan provisions governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund and any new actuarial assumptions and the remaining plan provisions governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund and actuarial assumptions in effect before the change;

(iv) the level annual dollar contribution or level percentage, whichever is applicable, needed to amortize the difference between the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount calculated under item (i) and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount calculated under item (iii) over a period of 30 years from the end of the plan year in which the applicable change is effective must be calculated using the applicable interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect after any applicable change;

(v) the level annual dollar or level percentage amortization contribution under item (iv) must be added to the level annual dollar amortization contribution or level percentage calculated under item (ii);

(vi) the period in which the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount determined in item (iii) is amortized by the total level annual dollar or level percentage amortization contribution computed under item (v) must be calculated using the interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect after any applicable change, rounded to the nearest integral number of years, but not to exceed 30 years from the end of the plan year in which the determination of the established date for full funding using the procedure set forth in this clause is made and not to be less than the period of years beginning in the plan year in which the determination of the established date for full funding using the procedure set forth in this clause is made and ending by the date for full funding in effect before the change; and

(vii) the period determined under item (vi) must be added to the date as of which the actuarial valuation was prepared and the date obtained is the new established date for full funding.

(d) For the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2020.

(e) For the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2031.

(f) For the Teachers Retirement Association, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2037.

(g) For the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

(h) For the judges retirement plan, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

(i) For the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

(j) For the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the established date for full funding is June 30 of the 25th year from the valuation date. In addition to other requirements of this chapter, the annual actuarial valuation shall contain an exhibit indicating the funded ratio and the deficiency or sufficiency in annual contributions when comparing liabilities to the market value of the assets of the fund as of the close of the most recent fiscal year.

(k) For the retirement plans for which the annual actuarial valuation indicates an excess of valuation assets over the actuarial accrued liability, the valuation assets in excess of the actuarial accrued liability must be recognized as a reduction in the current contribution requirements by an amount equal to the amortization of the excess expressed as a level percentage of pay over a 30-year period beginning anew with each annual actuarial valuation of the plan.

deleted text begin (l) In addition to calculating the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan for financial reporting purposes under paragraphs (a) to (j), the actuarial valuation of the retirement plan must also include a calculation of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan for purposes of determining the amortization contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial liability of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund. For this exhibit, the calculation must be the unfunded actuarial accrued liability net of the postretirement adjustment liability funded from the investment performance of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund or the retirement benefit fund. deleted text end

Sec. 72.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.351, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Incentive.

(a) For an employee eligible under subdivision 1, if approved under paragraph (b), the employer may provide an amount up to $17,000, to an employee who terminates service, to be used:

(1) unless the appointing authority has designated the use under clause (2) or the use under clause (3) for the initial retirement incentive applicable to that employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for deposit in the employee's account in the health care savings plan established by section 352.98;

(2) notwithstanding section 352.01, subdivision 11, or 354.05, subdivision 13, whichever applies, if the appointing authority has designated the use under this clause for the initial retirement incentive applicable to that employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for purchase of service credit for unperformed service sufficient to enable the employee to retire under section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); 353.30; 354.44, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), or 354A.31, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), whichever applies; or

(3) if the appointing authority has designated the use under this clause for the initial retirement incentive applicable to the employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for purchase of a lifetime annuity or an annuity for a specific number of years from the applicable retirement plan to provide additional benefits, as provided in paragraph (d).

(b) Approval to provide the incentive must be obtained from the commissioner of finance if the eligible employee is a state employee and must be obtained from the applicable governing board with respect to any other employing entity. An employee is eligible for the payment under paragraph (a), clause (2), if the employee uses money from a deferred compensation account that, combined with the payment under paragraph (a), clause (2), would be sufficient to purchase enough service credit to qualify for retirement under section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); 353.30, subdivision 1a; 354.44, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), or 354A.31, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), whichever applies.

(c) The cost to purchase service credit under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be made in accordance with section 356.551.

(d) The annuity purchase under paragraph (a), clause (3), must be made using annuity factorsnew text begin , as determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214,new text end derived from the applicable factors used by the applicable retirement plan deleted text begin to transfer amounts to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund anddeleted text end to calculate optional annuity forms. The purchased annuity must be the actuarial equivalent of the incentive amount.

Sec. 73.

new text begin [356.415] POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS; STATEWIDE RETIREMENT PLANS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Annual postretirement adjustments. new text end

new text begin (a) 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: new text end

new text begin (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 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 one full month, 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, effective January 1 following the year in which the person has been retired for less than 12 months. new text end

new text begin (b) The increases provided by this section commence on January 1, 2010. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new 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, or 354.35 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, or age 62, 65, or normal retirement age, as selected by the member at retirement, for an annuity amount payable under section 354.35. A postretirement adjustment granted on the period certain retirement annuity must terminate when the period certain retirement annuity terminates. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Covered retirement plans. new text end

new text begin The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans: new text end

new text begin (1) the legislators retirement plan established under chapter 3A; new text end

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

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

new text begin (4) the State Patrol retirement plan established under chapter 352B; new text end

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

new text begin (6) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353; new text end

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

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

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

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

Sec. 74.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.123, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Fund creation; revenue and authorized disbursements.

(a) There is created a special fund to be known as the "judges' retirement fund."

(b) The judges' retirement fund must be credited with all contributions; all interest, dividends, and other investment proceeds; and all other income authorized by this chapter or other applicable law.

(c) From this fund there are appropriated the payments authorized by this chapter, in the amounts and at the times provided, including the necessary and reasonable expenses of the Minnesota State Retirement System in administering the fund deleted text begin and the transfers to the Minnesota postretirement investment funddeleted text end .

Sec. 75.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.123, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Investment.

(a) The executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System shall, from time to time, certify to the State Board of Investment such portions of the judges' retirement fund as in the director's judgment may not be required for immediate use.

deleted text begin (b) Assets from the judges' retirement fund must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for retirement and disability benefits as provided in sections 11A.18 and 352.119. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end The State Board of Investment shall thereupon invest and reinvest sums so deleted text begin transferred, ordeleted text end certifieddeleted text begin ,deleted text end in such securities as are duly authorized legal investments for such purposes under section 11A.24 in compliance with sections 356A.04 and 356A.06.

Sec. 76.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.124, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Postretirement adjustment eligibility. new text end

new text begin A retirement annuity under subdivision 1, 3, or 5, a disability benefit under subdivision 4, and a survivor's annuity under subdivision 9 or 11 are eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. new text end

Sec. 77.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 11A.041; 11A.18; 11A.181; 352.119, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 352B.26, subdivisions 1 and 3; 353.271; 353A.02, subdivision 20; 353A.09, subdivisions 2 and 3; 354.05, subdivision 26; 354.55, subdivision 14; 354.63; 356.41; 356.431, subdivision 2; 422A.01, subdivision 13; 422A.06, subdivision 4; and 490.123, subdivisions 1c and 1e, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Sec. 78.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 77 are effective July 1, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 2

DISABILITY BENEFIT PROVISION CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.34, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Officers exempted.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (a) conservation officers and crime bureau officers who were first employed on or after July 1, 1973, and who are members of the State Patrol retirement fund by reason of their employment, and members of the Minnesota State Patrol Division and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety who are members of the State Patrol Retirement Association by reason of their employment, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end not continue employment after attaining the age of 60 years, except for a fractional portion of one year that will enable the employee to complete the employee's next full year of allowable service as defined pursuant to section deleted text begin 352B.01deleted text end new text begin 352B.011new text end , subdivision 3; and (b) conservation officers and crime bureau officers who were first employed and are members of the State Patrol retirement fund by reason of their employment before July 1, 1973, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end not continue employment after attaining the age of 70 years.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 299A.465, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Officer or firefighter disabled in line of duty.

(a) This subdivision applies to any peace officer or firefighter:

(1) who the Public Employees Retirement Association new text begin or the Minnesota State Retirement System new text end determines is eligible to receive a duty disability benefit pursuant to section 353.656new text begin or 352B.10, subdivision 1, respectivelynew text end ; or

(2) who (i) does not qualify to receive disability benefits by operation of the eligibility requirements set forth in section 353.656, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), (ii) retires pursuant to section 353.651, subdivision 4, or (iii) is a member of a local police or salaried firefighters relief association and qualifies for a duty disability benefit under the terms of plans of the relief associations, and the peace officer or firefighter described in item (i), (ii), or (iii) has discontinued public service as a peace officer or firefighter as a result of a disabling injury and has been determined, by the Public Employees Retirement Association, to have otherwise met the duty disability criteria set forth in section 353.01, subdivision 41.

(b) A determination made on behalf of a peace officer or firefighter described in paragraph (a), clause (2), must be at the request of the peace officer or firefighter made for the purposes of this section. Determinations made in accordance with paragraph (a) are binding on the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state. The determination must be made by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association new text begin or by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System, whichever applies,new text end and is not subject to section 356.96, subdivision 2. Upon making a determination, the executive director shall provide written notice to the peace officer or firefighter and the employer. This notice must include:

(1) a written statement of the reasons for the determination;

(2) a notice that the person may petition for a review of the determination by requesting that a contested case be initiated before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the cost of which must be borne by the peace officer or firefighter and the employer; and

(3) a statement that any person who does not petition for a review within 60 days is precluded from contesting issues determined by the executive director in any other administrative review or court procedure.

If, prior to the contested case hearing, additional information is provided to support the claim for duty disability as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 41, new text begin or 352B.011, subdivision 7, whichever applies, new text end the executive director may reverse the determination without the requested hearing. If a hearing is held before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the determination rendered by the judge conducting the fact-finding hearing is a final decision and order under section 14.62, subdivision 2a, and is binding on the new text begin applicablenew text end executive director, the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state. Review of a final determination made by the Office of Administrative Hearings under this section may only be obtained by writ of certiorari to the Minnesota Court of Appeals under sections 14.63 to 14.68. Only the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state have standing to participate in a judicial review of the decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(c) The officer's or firefighter's employer shall continue to provide health coverage for:

(1) the officer or firefighter; and

(2) the officer's or firefighter's dependents if the officer or firefighter was receiving dependent coverage at the time of the injury under the employer's group health plan.

(d) The employer is responsible for the continued payment of the employer's contribution for coverage of the officer or firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's dependents. Coverage must continue for the officer or firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's dependents until the officer or firefighter reaches or, if deceased, would have reached the age of 65. However, coverage for dependents does not have to be continued after the person is no longer a dependent.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and also applies to any member of the State Patrol retirement plan who was awarded a duty disability benefit on or after July 1, 2008. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Excluded employees.

"State employee" does not include:

(1) students employed by the University of Minnesota, or the state colleges and universities, unless approved for coverage by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever is applicable;

(2) employees who are eligible for membership in the state Teachers Retirement Association, except employees of the Department of Education who have chosen or may choose to be covered by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System instead of the Teachers Retirement Association;

(3) employees of the University of Minnesota who are excluded from coverage by action of the Board of Regents;

(4) officers and enlisted personnel in the National Guard and the naval militia who are assigned to permanent peacetime duty and who under federal law are or are required to be members of a federal retirement system;

(5) election officers;

(6) persons who are engaged in public work for the state but who are employed by contractors when the performance of the contract is authorized by the legislature or other competent authority;

(7) officers and employees of the senate, or of the house of representatives, or of a legislative committee or commission who are temporarily employed;

(8) receivers, jurors, notaries public, and court employees who are not in the judicial branch as defined in section 43A.02, subdivision 25, except referees and adjusters employed by the Department of Labor and Industry;

(9) patient and inmate help in state charitable, penal, and correctional institutions including the Minnesota Veterans Home;

(10) persons who are employed for professional services where the service is incidental to their regular professional duties and whose compensation is paid on a per diem basis;

(11) employees of the Sibley House Association;

(12) the members of any state board or commission who serve the state intermittently and are paid on a per diem basis; the secretary, secretary-treasurer, and treasurer of those boards if their compensation is $5,000 or less per year, or, if they are legally prohibited from serving more than three years; and the board of managers of the State Agricultural Society and its treasurer unless the treasurer is also its full-time secretary;

(13) state troopers and persons who are described in section deleted text begin 352B.01, subdivision 2deleted text end new text begin 352B.011, subdivision 10new text end , clauses (2) to deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end ;

(14) temporary employees of the Minnesota State Fair who are employed on or after July 1 for a period not to extend beyond October 15 of that year; and persons who are employed at any time by the state fair administration for special events held on the fairgrounds;

(15) emergency employees who are in the classified service; except that if an emergency employee, within the same pay period, becomes a provisional or probationary employee on other than a temporary basis, the employee deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be considered a "state employee" retroactively to the beginning of the pay period;

(16) temporary employees in the classified service, and temporary employees in the unclassified service who are appointed for a definite period of not more than six months and who are employed less than six months in any one-year period;

(17) interns hired for six months or less and trainee employees, except those listed in subdivision 2a, clause (8);

(18) persons whose compensation is paid on a fee basis or as an independent contractor;

(19) state employees who are employed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in unclassified positions enumerated in section 43A.08, subdivision 1, clause (9);

(20) state employees who in any year have credit for 12 months service as teachers in the public schools of the state and as teachers are members of the Teachers Retirement Association or a retirement system in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Duluth, except for incidental employment as a state employee that is not covered by one of the teacher retirement associations or systems;

(21) employees of the adjutant general who are employed on an unlimited intermittent or temporary basis in the classified or unclassified service for the support of Army and Air National Guard training facilities;

(22) chaplains and nuns who 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, if no irrevocable election of coverage has been made under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992;

(23) examination monitors who are employed by departments, agencies, commissions, and boards to conduct examinations required by law;

(24) persons who are appointed to serve as members of fact-finding commissions or adjustment panels, arbitrators, or labor referees under chapter 179;

(25) temporary employees who are employed for limited periods under any state or federal program for training or rehabilitation, including persons who are employed for limited periods from areas of economic distress, but not including skilled and supervisory personnel and persons having civil service status covered by the system;

(26) full-time students who are employed by the Minnesota Historical Society intermittently during part of the year and full-time during the summer months;

(27) temporary employees who are appointed for not more than six months, of the Metropolitan Council and of any of its statutory boards, if the board members are appointed by the Metropolitan Council;

(28) persons who are employed in positions designated by the Department of Finance as student workers;

(29) members of trades who are employed by the successor to the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission, who have trade union pension plan coverage under a collective bargaining agreement, and who are first employed after June 1, 1977;

(30) off-duty peace officers while employed by the Metropolitan Council;

(31) persons who are employed as full-time police officers by the Metropolitan Council and as police officers are members of the public employees police and fire fund;

(32) persons who are employed as full-time firefighters by the Department of Military Affairs and as firefighters are members of the public employees police and fire fund;

(33) foreign citizens with a work permit of less than three years, or an H-1b/JV visa valid for less than three years of employment, unless notice of extension is supplied which allows them to work for three or more years as of the date the extension is granted, in which case they are eligible for coverage from the date extended; and

(34) persons who are employed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and who elected to remain members of the Public Employees Retirement Association or the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, whichever applies, under Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 136C.75.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 17a. new text end

new text begin Occupational disability. new text end

new text begin "Occupational disability," for purposes of determining eligibility for disability benefits for a correctional employee, means a disabling condition that is expected to prevent the correctional employee, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of the position held by the correctional employee. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 17b. new text end

new text begin Duty disability, physical or psychological. new text end

new text begin "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 are specific to the correctional employee. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 17c. new text end

new text begin Regular disability, physical or psychological. new text end

new text begin "Regular disability, physical or psychological," for a correctional employee, means an occupational disability resulting from a disease or an injury that arises from any activities while not at work or from activities while at work performing normal or less frequent duties that do not present inherent dangers specific to covered correctional positions. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 17d. new text end

new text begin Normal duties. new text end

new text begin "Normal duties" means specific tasks designated in the applicant's job description and which the applicant performs on a day-to-day basis, but do not include less frequent duties which may be requested to be done by the employer from time to time. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 17e. new text end

new text begin Less frequent duties. new text end

new text begin "Less frequent duties" means tasks designated in the applicant's job description as either required from time to time or as assigned, but which are not carried out as part of the normal routine of the applicant's job. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.113, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical or psychological examinations; authorization for payment of benefit.

(a) An applicant shall provide medical, chiropractic, or psychological evidence to support an application for total and permanent disability.

(b) The director shall have the employee examined by at least one additional licensed chiropractor, physician, or psychologist designated by the medical adviser. The chiropractors, physicians, or psychologists shall make written reports to the director concerning the employee's disability including expert opinions as to whether the employee is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 352.01, subdivision 17.

(c) 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 as a consequence the employee is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(d) The medical adviser shall consider the reports of the physicians, 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 deleted text begin 180 daysdeleted text end new text begin 18 monthsnew text end 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.

(e) A terminated employee may apply for a disability benefit within deleted text begin 180 daysdeleted text end new text begin 18 monthsnew text end 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.

(f) 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 July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Job-related disabilitydeleted text end new text begin Duty disability; computation of benefitnew text end .

A covered correctional employee who deleted text begin becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year as a direct result of an injury, sickness, or other disability that incurred in or arose out of any act of duty that makes the employee physically or mentally unable to perform the dutiesdeleted text end new text begin is determined to have a duty disability, physical or psychological, as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 17b,new text end is entitled to a new text begin duty new text end disability benefit. The new text begin duty new text end disability benefit deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be based on covered correctional service only. The new text begin duty disability new text end benefit amount is 50 percent of the average salary defined in section 352.93, plus an additional percent equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5, for each year of covered correctional service in excess of 20 years, ten months, prorated for completed months.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Non-job-relateddeleted text end new text begin Regularnew text end disabilitynew text begin ; computation of benefitnew text end .

A covered correctional employee whonew text begin was hired before July 1, 2009new text end , after rendering at least one year of covered correctional servicenew text begin , or a covered correctional employee who was first hired after June 30, 2009, after rendering at least three years of covered correctional plan servicenew text end , deleted text begin becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year because of sickness or injury that occurred while not engaged in covered employmentdeleted text end new text begin and who is determined to have a regular disability, physical or psychological, as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 17c,new text end is entitled to a new text begin regular new text end disability benefitnew text begin . The regular disability benefit must be new text end based on covered correctional service only. The new text begin regular new text end disability benefit must be computed as provided in section 352.93, subdivisions 1 and 2deleted text begin , anddeleted text end new text begin . The regular disability benefit of a covered correctional employee who was first hired before July 1, 2009, and who is determined to have a regular disability, physical or psychological, under this subdivisionnew text end must be computed as though the employee had at least 15 years of covered correctional service.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Applying for benefits; accrual.

No application for disability benefits deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end be made until after the last day physically on the job. The disability benefit deleted text begin shall deleted text end deleted text begin begindeleted text end new text begin beginsnew text end to accrue the day following the last day for which the employee is paid sick leave or annual leavenew text begin ,new text end but not earlier than 180 days before the date the application is filed.new text begin A terminated employee must file a written application within the time frame specified under section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e).new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical or psychological evidence.

(a) An applicant shall provide medical, chiropractic, or psychological evidence to support an application for disability benefits. The director shall have the employee examined by at least one additional licensed physician, chiropractor, or psychologist who is designated by the medical adviser. The physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, shall make written reports to the director concerning the question of the employee's disability, including their expert opinions as to whether the employee deleted text begin is disableddeleted text end new text begin has an occupational disability new text end within the meaning of deleted text begin thisdeleted text end sectionnew text begin 352.01, subdivision 17a, and whether the employee has a duty disability, physical or psychological, under section 352.01, subdivision 17b, or has a regular disability, physical or psychological, under section 352.01, subdivision 17cnew text end . The director shall also obtain written certification from the employer stating whether or not the employee is on sick leave of absence because of a disability that will prevent further service to the employernew text begin performing normal duties as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 17d, or performing less frequent duties as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 17enew text end , and as a consequence, the employee is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(b) If, on considering the reports by the physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists and any other evidence supplied by the employee or others, the medical adviser finds new text begin that new text end the employee deleted text begin disableddeleted text end new text begin has an occupational disability new text end within the meaning of deleted text begin thisdeleted text end sectionnew text begin 352.01, subdivision 17anew text end , the advisor shall make the appropriate recommendation to the director, in writing, together with the date from which the employee has been disabled. The director shall then determine the propriety of authorizing payment of a new text begin duty new text end disability benefit new text begin or a regular disability benefit new text end as provided in this section.

(c) Unless the payment of a disability benefit has terminated because the employee deleted text begin isdeleted text end no longer deleted text begin disableddeleted text end new text begin has an occupational disabilitynew text end , or because the employee has reached either age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55 new text end or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, the disability benefit must cease with the last payment which was received by the disabled employee or which had accrued during the employee's lifetime. While disability benefits are paid, the director has the right, at reasonable times, to require the disabled employee to submit proof of the continuance of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin an occupational new text end disability deleted text begin claimeddeleted text end . If any examination indicates to the medical adviser that the employee deleted text begin isdeleted text end no longer deleted text begin disableddeleted text end new text begin has an occupational disabilitynew text end , the disability payment must be discontinued upon the person's reinstatement to state service or within 60 days of the finding, whichever is sooner.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Retirement status at normal retirement age.

The disability benefit paid to a disabled correctional employee under this section deleted text begin shall terminatedeleted text end new text begin terminatesnew text end at the end of the month in which the employee reaches age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end , or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. If the disabled correctional employee is still disabled when the employee reaches age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end , or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, the employee deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be deemed to be a retired employee. If the employee had elected an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, the employee shall receive an annuity in accordance with the terms of the optional annuity previously elected. If the employee had not elected an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, the employee may within 90 days of attaining age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end or reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, either elect to receive a normal retirement annuity computed in the manner provided in section 352.93 or elect to receive an optional annuity as provided in section 352.116, subdivision 3, based on the same length of service as used in the calculation of the disability benefit. Election of an optional annuity must be made within 90 days before attaining age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end or reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. If an optional annuity is elected, the optional annuity deleted text begin shall begindeleted text end new text begin beginsnew text end to accrue on the first of the month following the month in which the employee reaches age deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [352B.011] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Accumulated deductions. new text end

new text begin "Accumulated deductions" means the total sums deducted from the salary of a member and the total amount of assessments paid by a member in place of deductions and credited to the member's individual account as permitted by law without interest. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Allowable service. new text end

new text begin (a) "Allowable service" means: new text end

new text begin (1) service in a month during which a member is paid a salary from which a member contribution is deducted, deposited, and credited in the State Patrol retirement fund; new text end

new text begin (2) for members defined in subdivision 10, clause (1), service in any month for which payments have been made to the State Patrol retirement fund under law; and new text end

new text begin (3) for members defined in subdivision 10, clauses (2) and (3), service for which payments have been made to the State Patrol retirement fund under law, service for which payments were made to the State Police officers retirement fund under law after June 30, 1961, and all prior service which was credited to a member for service on or before June 30, 1961. new text end

new text begin (b) Allowable service also includes any period of absence from duty by a member who, by reason of injury incurred in the performance of duty, is temporarily disabled and for which disability the state is liable under the workers' compensation law, until the date authorized by the executive director for commencement of payment of a disability benefit or until the date of a return to employment. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Average monthly salary. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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. 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 end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Department head. new text end

new text begin "Department head" means the head of any department, institution, or branch of the state service that directly pays salaries from state funds to a member who prepares, approves, and submits salary abstracts of employees to the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Dependent child. new text end

new text begin "Dependent child" means a natural or adopted unmarried child of a deceased member under the age of 18 years, including any child of the member conceived during the lifetime of the member and born after the death of the member. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Duty disability. new text end

new text begin "Duty disability" means a physical or psychological 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 the person as a member of the State Patrol retirement fund, and that is the direct result of any injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of normal duties or the actual performance of less frequent duties, either of which are specific to protecting the property and personal safety of others and that present inherent dangers that are specific to the positions covered by the State Patrol retirement fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Fund. new text end

new text begin "Fund" means the State Patrol retirement fund. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Less frequent duties. new text end

new text begin "Less frequent duties" means tasks which are designated in the member's job description as either required from time to time or as assigned, but which are not carried out as part of the normal routine of the member's position. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Member. new text end

new text begin "Member" means: new text end

new text begin (1) a State Patrol member currently employed under section 299D.03 by the state, who is a peace officer under section 626.84, and whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds; new text end

new text begin (2) a conservation officer employed under section 97A.201, currently employed by the state, whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds; new text end

new text begin (3) a crime bureau officer who was employed by the crime bureau and was a member of the Highway Patrolmen's retirement fund on July 1, 1978, whether or not that person has the power of arrest by warrant after that date, or who is employed as police personnel, with powers of arrest by warrant under section 299C.04, and who is currently employed by the state, and whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds; new text end

new text begin (4) a person who is employed by the state in the Department of Public Safety in a data processing management position with salary or compensation paid from state funds, who was a crime bureau officer covered by the State Patrol retirement plan on August 15, 1987, and who was initially hired in the data processing management position within the department during September 1987, or January 1988, with membership continuing for the duration of the person's employment in that position, whether or not the person has the power of arrest by warrant after August 15, 1987; new text end

new text begin (5) a public safety employee who is a peace officer under section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and who is employed by the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement under section 299L.01; new text end

new text begin (6) a Fugitive Apprehension Unit officer after October 31, 2000, who is employed by the Office of Special Investigations of the Department of Corrections and who is a peace officer under section 626.84; new text end

new text begin (7) an employee of the Department of Commerce defined as a peace officer in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), who is employed by the Division of Insurance Fraud Prevention under section 45.0135 after January 1, 2005, and who has not attained the mandatory retirement age specified in section 43A.34, subdivision 4; and new text end

new text begin (8) an employee of the Department of Public Safety, who is a licensed peace officer under section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and is employed as the statewide coordinator of the Gang and Drug Oversight Council. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Normal duties. new text end

new text begin "Normal duties" means specific tasks which are designated in the member's job description and which the applicant performs on a day-to-day basis, but do not include less frequent duties which may be requested to be done by the employer from time to time. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Regular disability. new text end

new text begin "Regular disability" means a physical or psychological 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 State Patrol retirement plan, and which results from a disease or an injury that arises from any activities while not at work, or while at work and performing those normal or less frequent duties that do not present inherent dangers that are specific to the occupations covered by the State Patrol retirement plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Surviving spouse. new text end

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), this section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

new text begin (b) Subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (1), is effective retroactively from July 1, 1969, and allowable service on the records of the State Patrol retirement plan credit consistent with that provision is validated. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Fund created; membership.

A State Patrol retirement fund is established. Its membership consists of all persons defined in section deleted text begin 352B.01, subdivision 2deleted text end new text begin 352B.011, subdivision 10new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 17.

new text begin [352B.085] SERVICE CREDIT FOR CERTAIN DISABILITY LEAVES OF ABSENCE. new text end

new text begin A member on leave of absence receiving temporary workers' compensation payments and a reduced salary or no salary from the employer who is entitled to allowable service credit for the period of absence under section 352B.011, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), may make payment to the fund for the difference between salary received, if any, and the salary that the member would normally receive if the member was not on leave of absence during the period. The member shall pay an amount equal to the member and employer contribution rate under section 352B.02, subdivisions 1b and 1c, on the differential salary amount for the period of the leave of absence. The employing department, at its option, may pay the employer amount on behalf of the member. Payment made under this subdivision must include interest at the rate of 8.5 percent per year, and must be completed within one year of the member's return from the leave of absence. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [352B.086] SERVICE CREDIT FOR UNIFORMED SERVICE. new text end

new text begin (a) A member who is absent from employment by reason of service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), and who returns to state employment in a position covered by the plan upon discharge from service in the uniformed services within the time frame required in United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), may obtain service credit for the period of the uniformed service, provided that the member did not separate from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions. new text end

new text begin (b) The member may obtain credit by paying into the fund an equivalent member contribution based on the member 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 during the purchase period that the member would have received if the member had continued to provide employment services to the state 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 during the 12-month period of covered employment rendered immediately preceding the purchase period. new text end

new text begin (c) The equivalent employer contribution and, if applicable, the equivalent employer additional contribution, must be paid by the employing unit, using the employer and employer additional 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. new text end

new text begin (d) If the member equivalent contributions provided for in this subdivision 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 subdivision. new text end

new text begin (e) To receive allowable service credit under this subdivision, the contributions specified in this section must be transmitted to the fund during the period which begins with the date on which the individual returns to state employment covered by the plan and which has a duration of three times the length of the uniformed service period, but not to exceed five years. If the determined payment period is calculated to be less than one year, the contributions required under this subdivision to receive service credit must be transmitted to the fund within one year from the discharge date. new text end

new text begin (f) The amount of allowable 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. new text end

new text begin (g) The employing unit shall pay interest on all equivalent member and employer contribution amounts payable under this section. Interest must be computed at a rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the end of each fiscal year of the leave or break in service to the end of the month in which payment is received. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

deleted text begin Injuries; payment amountsdeleted text end new text begin Duty disabilitynew text end .

A member who deleted text begin becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform duties for at least one year as a direct result of an injury, sickness, or other disability that incurred in or arose out of any act of dutydeleted text end new text begin is determined to qualify for duty disability as defined in section 352B.011, subdivision 7new text end , is entitled to receive new text begin a dutynew text end disability deleted text begin benefitsdeleted text end new text begin benefitnew text end while disabled. The benefits must be paid deleted text begin indeleted text end monthly deleted text begin installmentsdeleted text end . The new text begin duty disabilitynew text end benefit is an amount equal to the member's average monthly salary multiplied by 60 percent, plus an additional percent equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6, for each year and pro rata for completed months of service in excess of 20 years, if any.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Disabled while not on dutydeleted text end new text begin Regular disability benefitnew text end .

deleted text begin Ifdeleted text end A member with at least one year of service deleted text begin becomes disabled and is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year because of sickness or injury that occurred while not engaged in covered employment, the individualdeleted text end new text begin who qualifies for a regular disability benefit as defined in section 352B.011, subdivision 12,new text end is entitled to new text begin a regular new text end disability deleted text begin benefitsdeleted text end new text begin benefitnew text end . The new text begin regular disabilitynew text end benefit must be computed as if the individual were 55 years old at the date of disability and new text begin as ifnew text end the annuity was payable under section 352B.08. If a new text begin regularnew text end disability under this subdivision occurs after one year of service but before 15 years of service, the new text begin regularnew text end disability benefit must be computed as though the individual had credit for 15 years of service.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Applying for benefits; accrual. new text end

new text begin No application for disability benefits shall be made until after the last day physically on the job. The disability benefit begins to accrue the day following the last day for which the employee is paid sick leave or annual leave but not earlier than 180 days before the date the application is filed. A member who is terminated must file a written application within the time frame specified under section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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, subdivisions 2b and 2c, 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 deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end 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 deleted text begin 65deleted text end new text begin 55new text end or following the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Death; payment to dependent children; family maximums.

new text begin (a)new text end Each dependent child, as defined in section deleted text begin 352B.01, subdivision 10deleted text end new text begin 352B.011, subdivision 6new text end , is entitled to receive a monthly annuity equal to ten percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member.

new text begin (b)new text end A dependent child over 18 and under 23 years of age also may receive the monthly benefit provided in this section if the child is continuously attending an accredited school as a full-time student during the normal school year as determined by the director. If the child does not continuously attend school, but separates from full-time attendance during any part of a school year, the annuity must cease at the end of the month of separation.

new text begin (c)new text end In addition, a payment of $20 per month must be prorated equally to the surviving dependent children when the former member is survived by more than one dependent child.

new text begin (d)new text end Payments for the benefit of any dependent child must be made to the surviving spouse, or if there is none, to the legal guardian of the child.

new text begin (e)new text end The monthly benefit for any one family, including a surviving spouse benefit, if applicable, must not be less than 50 percent nor exceed 70 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 3

STATE CORRECTIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.91, subdivision 3d, is amended to read:

Subd. 3d.

Other correctional personnel.

(a) "Covered correctional service" means service by a state employee in one of the employment positions at a correctional facility or at the Minnesota Security Hospital specified in paragraph (b) if at least 75 percent of the employee's working time is spent in direct contact with inmates or patients and the fact of this direct contact is certified to the executive director by the appropriate commissioner.

(b) The employment positions are:

(1) new text begin automotive mechanic;new text end

new text begin (2) new text end baker;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end central services administrative specialist, intermediate;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end central services administrative specialist, principal;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end chaplain;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end chief cook;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end cook;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end cook coordinator;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end corrections program therapist 1;

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end corrections program therapist 2;

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end corrections program therapist 3;

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end corrections program therapist 4;

deleted text begin (12)deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end corrections inmate program coordinator;

deleted text begin (13)deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end corrections transitions program coordinator;

deleted text begin (14)deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end corrections security caseworker;

deleted text begin (15)deleted text end new text begin (16) new text end corrections security caseworker career;

deleted text begin (16)deleted text end new text begin (17) new text end corrections teaching assistant;

deleted text begin (17)deleted text end new text begin (18) new text end delivery van driver;

deleted text begin (18)deleted text end new text begin (19) new text end dentist;

deleted text begin (19)deleted text end new text begin (20) new text end electrician supervisor;

deleted text begin (20)deleted text end new text begin (21) new text end general maintenance worker lead;

deleted text begin (21)deleted text end new text begin (22) new text end general repair worker;

deleted text begin (22)deleted text end new text begin (23) new text end library/information research services specialist;

deleted text begin (23)deleted text end new text begin (24) new text end library/information research services specialist senior;

deleted text begin (24)deleted text end new text begin (25) new text end library technician;

deleted text begin (25)deleted text end new text begin (26) new text end painter lead;

deleted text begin (26)deleted text end new text begin (27) new text end plant maintenance engineer lead;

deleted text begin (27)deleted text end new text begin (28) new text end plumber supervisor;

deleted text begin (28)deleted text end new text begin (29) new text end psychologist 1;

deleted text begin (29)deleted text end new text begin (30) new text end psychologist 3;

deleted text begin (30)deleted text end new text begin (31) new text end recreation therapist;

deleted text begin (31)deleted text end new text begin (32) new text end recreation therapist coordinator;

deleted text begin (32)deleted text end new text begin (33) new text end recreation program assistant;

deleted text begin (33)deleted text end new text begin (34) new text end recreation therapist senior;

deleted text begin (34)deleted text end new text begin (35) new text end sports medicine specialist;

deleted text begin (35)deleted text end new text begin (36) new text end work therapy assistant;

deleted text begin (36)deleted text end new text begin (37) new text end work therapy program coordinator; and

deleted text begin (37)deleted text end new text begin (38) new text end work therapy technician.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from May 29, 2007. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin MSRS-CORRECTIONAL; ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN POSITION FROM COVERAGE. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 352.91, to the contrary, including Minnesota Statutes, section 352.91, subdivision 2, "covered correctional service" does not mean service rendered by a state employee as an automotive mechanic lead. 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 4

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.346, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

(a) This section applies to a terminated state employee who:

(1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause (2), was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered by a pension plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System or the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(2) terminated state or Metropolitan Council employment;

(3) at the time of termination under clause (2), met the age and service requirements necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or, for a terminated employee under the unclassified employees retirement plan, met the age and service requirements necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or elected a lump-sum payment; and

(4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different appointing authority, working a reduced schedule that is both (i) a reduction of at least 25 percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and (ii) 1,044 hours or less in state or Metropolitan Council service.

(b) For purposes of this section, an unreduced retirement annuity includes a retirement annuity computed under a provision of law which permits retirement, without application of an earlier retirement reduction factor, whenever age plus years of allowable service total at least 90.

(c) For purposes of this section, as it applies to deleted text begin staffdeleted text end new text begin state employees who are members new text end of the Public Employees Retirement Association who are at least age 62, the length of separation requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work agreements under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable.

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 2008, section 43A.346, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Duration.

Postretirement option employment deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end for an initial period not to exceed one year. During that period, the appointing authority may not modify the conditions specified in the written offer without the person's consent, except as required by law or by the collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan applicable to the person. At the end of the initial period, the appointing authority has sole discretion to determine if the offer of a postretirement option position will be renewed, renewed with modifications, or terminated. deleted text begin If the person is under age 62, an offer of renewal and any related verbal offer or agreement must not be made until at least 30 days after termination of the person's previous postretirement option employment.deleted text end Postretirement option employment may be renewed for periods of up to one year, not to exceed a total duration of five years. No person deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end be employed in one or a combination of postretirement option positions under this section for a total of more than five years.

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 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Member contributions.

(a) deleted text begin Eachdeleted text end new text begin The new text end member deleted text begin shall pay a sum equal to the followingdeleted text end new text begin contribution is 10.40 new text end percent of the member's salarydeleted text begin , which constitutes the member contribution to the fund:deleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin before July 1, 2007 deleted text end deleted text begin 8.40 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.80 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2009, and thereafter deleted text end deleted text begin 10.40. deleted 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, 2009. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 deleted text begin the followingdeleted text end new text begin 15.60 new text end percent of the salary upon which deductions were made, which deleted text begin shall constitutedeleted text end new text begin constitutesnew text end the employer contribution to the funddeleted text begin :deleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin before July 1, 2007 deleted text end deleted text begin 12.60 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008 deleted text end deleted text begin 13.60 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009 deleted text end deleted text begin 14.60 deleted text end
deleted text begin from July 1, 2009, and thereafter deleted text end deleted text begin 15.60. deleted 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, 2009. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 new text begin deductions were withheld from salary and new text end contributions were madedeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin at the applicable rates under section 353.27, 353.65, or 353E.03;new text end

new text begin (2) new text end periods new text begin of service new text end covered by payments in lieu of salary deductions under deleted text begin sectiondeleted text end new text begin sections 353.27, subdivision 12, andnew text end 353.35;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end 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;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end a period of authorized leave of absence with pay from which deductions for employee contributions are made, deposited, and credited to the fund;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end 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;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end 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 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 deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30 new text end 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;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end 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; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end 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 new text begin with the same governmental subdivision new text end 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 is 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 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 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 deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30 new text end 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 perioddeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (9) a period specified under subdivision 40. new text end

(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 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, "applicable 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.

(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. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 16b, is amended to read:

Subd. 16b.

Uncredited military service credit purchase.

(a) A public employee who has at least three years of allowable service with the Public Employees Retirement Association or the public employees police and fire plan and who performed service in the United States armed forces before becoming a public employee, or who failed to obtain service credit for a military leave of absence under subdivision 16, paragraph deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (a), clause (7)new text end , is entitled to purchase allowable service credit for the initial period of enlistment, induction, or call to active duty without any voluntary extension by making payment under section 356.551new text begin . This authority is voidednew text end if the public employee has deleted text begin notdeleted text end purchased service credit from any other Minnesota defined benefit public employee pension plannew text begin , other than a volunteer fire plan,new text end for the same period of servicenew text begin , or if the separation from the United States armed forces was under less than honorable conditionsnew text end .

(b) A public employee who desires to purchase service credit under paragraph (a) must apply with the executive director to make the purchase. The application must include all necessary documentation of the public employee's qualifications to make the purchase, signed written permission to allow the executive director to request and receive necessary verification of applicable facts and eligibility requirements, and any other relevant information that the executive director may require.

(c) Allowable service credit for the purchase period must be granted by the Public Employees Retirement Association or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, to the purchasing public employee upon receipt of the purchase payment amount. Payment must be made before the deleted text begin effective date of retirement of thedeleted text end public deleted text begin employeedeleted text end new text begin employee's termination of public service or termination of membership, whichever is earliernew text end .

(d) This subdivision is repealed July 1, 2013.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.0161, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application.

This section applies to employees covered by any plan specified in this chapter or chapter 353E for any period of authorized leave of absence specified in section 353.01, subdivision 16, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end , for which the employee obtains credit for allowable service by making payment as specified in this section to the applicable fund.

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 2008, section 353.03, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Executive director.

(a) Appointment. The board shall appoint an executive director on the basis of education, experience in the retirement field, and leadership ability. The executive director must have had at least five years' experience in an executive level management position, which has included responsibility for pensions, deferred compensation, or employee benefits. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the board. The salary of the executive director is as provided by section 15A.0815.

(b) Duties. The management of the association is vested in the executive director who shall be the executive and administrative head of the association. The executive director shall act as adviser to the board on all matters pertaining to the association and shall also act as the secretary of the board. The executive director shall:

(1) attend all meetings of the board;

(2) prepare and recommend to the board appropriate rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

(3) establish and maintain an adequate system of records and accounts following recognized accounting principles and controls;

(4) designate, with the approval of the board, up to two persons who may serve in the unclassified service and whose salaries are set in accordance with section 43A.18, subdivision 3, appoint a confidential secretary in the unclassified service, and appoint employees to carry out this chapter, who are subject to chapters 43A and 179A in the same manner as are executive branch employees;

(5) organize the work of the association as the director deems necessary to fulfill the functions of the association, and define the duties of its employees and delegate to them any powers or duties, subject to the control of, and under such conditions as, the executive director may prescribe;

(6) with the approval of the board, contract for the services of an approved actuary, professional management services, and any other consulting services as necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. All contracts are subject to chapter 16C. The commissioner of administration shall not approve, and the association shall not enter into, any contract to provide lobbying services or legislative advocacy of any kind. Any approved actuary retained by the executive director shall function as the actuarial advisor of the board and the executive directordeleted text begin and may perform actuarial valuations and experience studies to supplement those performed by the actuary retained deleted text end new text begin . In addition to filing requirements new text end under section 356.214deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ,new text end any supplemental actuarial valuations or experience studies shall be filed with the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. Copies of professional management survey reports shall be transmitted to the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the Legislative Reference Library as provided by section 3.195, and to the executive director of the commission at the same time as reports are furnished to the board. Only management firms experienced in conducting management surveys of federal, state, or local public retirement systems shall be qualified to contract with the director hereunder;

(7) with the approval of the board provide in-service training for the employees of the association;

(8) make refunds of accumulated contributions to former members and to the designated beneficiary, surviving spouse, legal representative or next of kin of deceased members or deceased former members, as provided in this chapter;

(9) determine the amount of the annuities and disability benefits of members covered by the association and authorize payment of the annuities and benefits beginning as of the dates on which the annuities and benefits begin to accrue, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(10) pay annuities, refunds, survivor benefits, salaries, and necessary operating expenses of the association;

(11) prepare and submit to the board and the legislature an annual financial report covering the operation of the association, as required by section 356.20;

(12) prepare and submit biennial and annual budgets to the board for its approval and submit the approved budgets to the Department of Finance for approval by the commissioner;

(13) reduce all or part of the accrued interest payable under section 353.27, subdivisions 12, 12a, and 12b, or 353.28, subdivision 5, upon receipt of proof by the association of an unreasonable processing delay or other extenuating circumstances of the employing unitnew text begin ; and notwithstanding section 353.27, subdivision 7, may waive the payment of accrued interest to the member if a credit has been taken by the employer to correct an employee deduction taken in error and if the accrued interest is $10 or lessnew text end . The executive director shall prescribe and submit for approval by the board the conditions under which such interest may be reduced; and

(14) with the approval of the board, perform such other duties as may be required for the administration of the association and the other provisions of this chapter and for the transaction of its business.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Employee contribution.

(a) new text begin For a basic member, new text end the employee contribution is deleted text begin the following applicable percentage of the totaldeleted text end new text begin 9.10 percent of new text end salarydeleted text begin amount for a "basic member" anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end For a deleted text begin "coordinated member":deleted text end new text begin coordinated member, the employee contribution is six percent of salary plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b.new text end

deleted text begin Basic Program deleted text end deleted text begin Coordinated Program deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective before January 1, 2006 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.10 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2006 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.50 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2007 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.75 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2008 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 6.00 plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b deleted text end

(b) These contributions must be made by deduction from salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 10, in the manner provided in subdivision 4. If any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution must be based on the total salary received by the member 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. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Employer contribution.

(a) new text begin For a basic member, new text end the employer contribution is deleted text begin the following applicable percentage of the totaldeleted text end new text begin 9.10 percent of new text end salary deleted text begin amount for "basic members" anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end For deleted text begin "coordinated members":deleted text end new text begin a coordinated member, the employer contribution is six percent of salary plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b.new text end

deleted text begin Basic Program deleted text end deleted text begin Coordinated Program deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective before January 1, 2006 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.10 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2006 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.50 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2007 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 5.75 deleted text end
deleted text begin Effective January 1, 2008 deleted text end deleted text begin 9.10 deleted text end deleted text begin 6.00 plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b deleted text end

(b) This contribution 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. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 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 deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end . 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 association 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, the association shall remove all invalid service and, upon termination of public service, the association shall refund all erroneous employee deductions to the person, with interest new text begin as determined new text end under section 353.34, subdivision 2, and all erroneous employer contributions new text begin without interest new text end to the employer. This paragraph has both retroactive and prospective application.

(c) new text begin Adjustments to correct new text end employer contributions and employee deductions taken in error from amounts which are not salary under section 353.01, subdivision 10, deleted text begin are invalid upon discovery by the association anddeleted text end must be deleted text begin refundeddeleted text end new text begin made new text end as specified in paragraph deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (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 yearsnew text end .

new text begin (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). new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Upon discovery of the receipt of erroneous new text begin employee new text end deductions and new text begin employer new text end contributions under paragraph (a), clause (2), or paragraph (c), the association must require the employer to discontinue the erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributionsnew text begin reported on behalf of a membernew text end . Upon discontinuation, the association deleted text begin eitherdeleted text end must deleted text begin refund deleted text end new text begin :new text end

new text begin (1) for a member, provide a refund or credit to the employer in the amount of new text end the invalid employee deductions deleted text begin to the person without interest anddeleted text end new text begin 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; and the employer must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the member;new text end

new text begin (2) for a former member who: new text end

new text begin (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 new text end

new text begin (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 new text end

new text begin (3) return new text end the invalid employer contributions new text begin reported on behalf of a member or former member new text end to the employer deleted text begin or providedeleted text end new text begin by providing new text end a credit against future contributions payable by the employer deleted text begin for the amount of all erroneous deductions and contributions. If the employing unit receives a credit under this paragraph, the employing unit is responsible for refunding to the applicable employee any amount that had been erroneously deducted from the person's salary. In the event that a retirement annuity or disability benefit has been computed using invalid service or salary, the association must adjust the annuity or benefit and recover any overpayment under subdivision 7bdeleted text end .

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end 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.

deleted text begin (f) Any refund to a member under this subdivision that is reasonably determined to cause the plan to fail to be a qualified plan under section 401(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as amended, may not be refunded and instead must be credited against future contributions payable by the employer. The employer receiving the credit is responsible for refunding to the applicable employee any amount that had been erroneously deducted from the person's salary. deleted text end

new text begin (g) If the accrual date of any retirement annuity, survivor benefit, or disability benefit is within the limitation period specified in paragraph (c), and an overpayment has resulted by using invalid service or salary, or due to any erroneous calculation procedure, the association must recalculate the annuity or benefit payable and recover any overpayment as provided under subdivision 7b. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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 end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) This section is effective the day following enactment. new text end

new text begin (b) The interest required on deductions in error as provided in paragraph (e) must be applied to any refunds paid on or after June 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 7b, is amended to read:

Subd. 7b.

new text begin Recovery of new text end overpaymentsdeleted text begin to membersdeleted text end .

new text begin (a) new text end In the event deleted text begin of an overpayment to a member, retiree, beneficiary, or other person,deleted text end the executive director deleted text begin shall recover the overpayment by suspending or reducing the payment of a retirement annuity, refund, disability benefit, survivor benefit, or optional annuity payable to the applicable person or the person's estate, whichever applies, under this chapter until all outstanding money has been recovereddeleted text end new text begin determines that an overpaid annuity or benefit that is the result of invalid salary included in the average salary used to calculate the payment amount must be recovered, the association must determine the amount of the employee deductions taken in error on the invalid salary, with interest determined in the manner provided for a former member under subdivision 7, paragraph (e), clause (2), item (i), and must subtract that amount from the total annuity or benefit overpayment, and the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit, if any, must be recoverednew text end .

new text begin (b) If the invalid employee deductions plus interest exceed the amount of the overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the benefit or annuity is being paid. new text end

new text begin (c) Any invalid employer contributions reported on the invalid salary must be credited to the employer as provided in subdivision 7, paragraph (e). new text end

new text begin (d) If a member or former member, who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit for which an overpayment is being recovered, dies before recovery of the overpayment is completed and a joint and survivor optional annuity is payable, the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit must continue to be recovered from the payment to the optional annuity beneficiary. new text end

new text begin (e) If the association finds that a refund has been overpaid to a former member, beneficiary or other person, the amount of the overpayment must be recovered. new text end

new text begin (f) The board of trustees shall adopt policies directing the period of time and manner for the collection of any overpaid retirement or optional annuity, and survivor or disability benefit, or a refund that the executive director determines must be recovered as provided under this section. 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 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Age, service, and salary requirements.

A coordinated new text begin or basic new text end member who has at least three years of allowable service and becomes totally and permanently disabled before normal retirement age, deleted text begin and a basic member who has at least three years of allowable service and who becomes totally and permanently disabled,deleted text end upon application as defined under section 353.031, is entitled to a disability benefit in an amount determined under subdivision 3. If the disabled person's public service has terminated at any time, at least two of the required three years of allowable service must have been rendered after last becoming an active member.

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 2008, section 353.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Benefit restriction. new text end

new text begin No person is entitled to receive disability benefits and a retirement annuity at the same time. 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 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Coordinated member new text begin disabilitant transfer to new text end retirement status.

deleted text begin No person is entitled to receive disability benefits and a retirement annuity at the same time.deleted text end The disability benefits paid to a coordinated member must terminate when the person reaches normal retirement age. If the coordinated member is still totally and permanently disabled upon attaining normal retirement age, the coordinated member is deemed to be on retirement status. If an optional annuity is elected under subdivision 3a, the coordinated member shall receive an annuity under the terms of the optional annuity previously elected, or, if an optional annuity is not elected under subdivision 3a, the coordinated member may elect to receive a normal retirement annuity under section 353.29 or an annuity equal to the disability benefit paid before the coordinated member reaches normal retirement age, whichever amount is greater, or elect to receive an optional annuity under section 353.30, subdivision 3. The annuity of a disabled coordinated member who attains normal retirement age must be computed under the law in effect upon attainment of normal retirement age. Election of an optional annuity must be made before the coordinated member attains normal retirement age. If an optional annuity is elected, the election is effective on the date on which the person attains normal retirement age and the optional annuity begins to accrue on the first day of the month next following the month in which the person attains that age.

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 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Basic deleted text begin disabilitydeleted text end new text begin disabilitant transfer to retirement status; new text end survivor benefits.

new text begin (a) new text end If a basic member who is receiving a disability benefit under subdivision 3deleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end dies before attaining age 65 or within five years of the effective date of the disability, whichever is later, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive a survivor benefit under section 353.31, deleted text begin unlessdeleted text end new text begin and any dependent child or children are entitled to dependent child benefits under section 353.31, subdivision 1b, paragraph (b). If there are no dependent children, in lieu of the survivor benefit specified under section 353.31, new text end the surviving spouse deleted text begin electeddeleted text end new text begin may elect new text end to receive a refund under section 353.32, subdivision 1deleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (b) If a basic member who is receiving a disability benefit under subdivision 3 new text end is living at age 65 or five years after the effective date of the disability, whichever is later, the basic member may deleted text begin continue todeleted text end receive a normal new text begin retirement annuity equal to the new text end disability benefitnew text begin previously received, adjusted for the amount no longer payable under subdivision 3, paragraph (b)new text end , or new text begin the person may new text end elect a joint and survivor optional annuity under section 353.31, subdivision 1b. The election of the joint and survivor optional annuity must occur within 90 days of attaining age 65 or of reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. The optional annuity takes effect on the first day of the month following the month in which the person attains age 65 or reaches the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is laterdeleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin (3) if there is a dependent child or children under clause (1) or (2), the dependent child is entitled to a dependent child benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1b, paragraph (b). deleted 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 2008, section 353.65, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Employee contribution deleted text begin ratedeleted text end .

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end The employee contribution is deleted text begin an amount equal to thedeleted text end new text begin 9.4 new text end percent of the deleted text begin totaldeleted text end salary of the member deleted text begin specified in paragraph (b)deleted text end . This contribution 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.

deleted text begin (b) For calendar year 2006, the employee contribution rate is 7.0 percent. For calendar year 2007, the employee contribution rate is 7.8 percent. For calendar year 2008, the employee contribution rate is 8.6 percent. For calendar year 2009 and thereafter, the employee contribution rate is 9.4 percent. deleted 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 2008, section 353.65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Employer contribution deleted text begin ratedeleted text end .

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end The employer contribution deleted text begin shall be an amount equal to thedeleted text end new text begin is 14.1 new text end percent of the deleted text begin totaldeleted text end salary of deleted text begin everydeleted text end new text begin the new text end member deleted text begin as specified in paragraph (b)deleted text end . This contribution deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be made from funds available to the employing subdivision by the means and in the manner provided in section 353.28.

deleted text begin (b) For calendar year 2006, the employer contribution rate is 10.5 percent. For calendar year 2007, the employer contribution rate is 11.7 percent. For calendar year 2008, the employer contribution rate is 12.9 percent. For calendar year 2009 and thereafter, the employer contribution rate is 14.1 percent. deleted 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 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Military service contribution and refund.

A person who was an active member of a local police or firefighters relief association upon its consolidation with the public employees retirement association, and who was otherwise eligible for automatic service credit for military service under Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 423.57, and who has not elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund at the time of consolidation, must make employee contributions under section 353.01, subdivision 16, paragraph deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (a), clause (8)new text end , to receive allowable service credit from the association for a military service leave after the effective date of the consolidation. A person who later elects, under subdivision 3, to retain benefit coverage under the bylaws of the local relief association is eligible for a refund from the association at the time of retirement. The association shall refund the employee contributions plus interest at the rate of six percent, compounded quarterly, from the date on which contributions were made until the first day of the month in which the refund is paid. The employer shall receive a refund of the employer contributions. The association shall not pay a refund to a person who later elects, under subdivision 3, the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund or to the person's 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. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353F.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Medical facility.

"Medical facility" means:

(1) Bridges Medical Services;

(2) the City of Cannon Falls Hospital;

(3) Clearwater County Memorial Hospital doing business as Clearwater Health Services in Bagley;

(4) the Dassel Lakeside Community Home;

(5) the Fair Oaks Lodge, Wadena;

(6) the Glencoe Area Health Center;

(7) Hutchinson Area Health Care;

(8) the Lakefield Nursing Home;

(9) the Lakeview Nursing Home in Gaylord;

(10) the Luverne Public Hospital;

(11) the Oakland Park Nursing Home;

(12) the RenVilla Nursing Home;

(13) the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, with respect to the Department of Radiology and the Department of Radiation/Oncology;

(14) the St. Peter Community Health Care Center;

(15) the Waconia-Ridgeview Medical Center; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(16) new text begin the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc.; andnew text end

new text begin (17) new text end the Worthington Regional Hospital.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 353F.02, subdivision 3. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 42. new text end

new text begin Fiscal year. new text end

new text begin The fiscal year of the association begins on July 1 of each calendar year and ends on June 30 of the following 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. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Employeenew text begin contributionnew text end .

(a) new text begin For a basic member, new text end the employee contribution to the fund is deleted text begin an amount equal to the following percentagedeleted text end new text begin 9.0 percent new text end of the new text begin member's new text end salary deleted text begin of a member:deleted text end new text begin . For a coordinated member, the employee contribution is 5.5 percent of the member's salary.new text end

deleted text begin (1) after July 1, 2006, for a teacher employed by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member, and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) for every other teacher, after July 1, 2006, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member. deleted text end

(b) This contribution must be made by deduction from salary. Where any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution must be based on the entire salary received.

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 2008, section 354.44, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Retirement annuity accrual date.

(a) An annuity payment begins to accrue, provided that the age and service requirements under subdivision 1 are satisfied, after the termination of teaching service, or after the application for retirement has been filed with the deleted text begin board, whichever is laterdeleted text end new text begin executive directornew text end , as follows:

(1) on the deleted text begin 16thdeleted text end day deleted text begin ofdeleted text end new text begin after new text end the deleted text begin month ofdeleted text end termination deleted text begin or filing if the termination or filing occurs on or before the 15th day of the monthdeleted text end new text begin of teaching servicenew text end ;

(2) on the deleted text begin first day of the month following the month of termination or filing if the termination or filing occurs on or after the 16th day of the monthdeleted text end new text begin day of receipt of application if the application is filed with the executive director after the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching servicenew text end ;

(3) on July 1 for all school principals and other administrators who receive a full annual contract salary during the fiscal year for performance of a full year's contract duties; or

deleted text begin (4) a later date to be either the first or the 16th day of a month occurring within the six-month period immediately following the termination of teaching service as specified under paragraph (b) by the member. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end if an application for retirement is filed with the deleted text begin boarddeleted text end new text begin executive director new text end during the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching service, the annuity may begin to accrue as if the application for retirement had been filed with the board on the date teaching service terminated deleted text begin or a later date under paragraph (a), clause (4)deleted text end .

new text begin (b) A member, or a person authorized to act on behalf of the member, may specify a different date of retirement from that determined in paragraph (a), as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) if the application is filed on or before the date of termination of teaching service, the accrual date may be a date no earlier than the day after the termination of teaching service and no later than six months after the termination date; or new text end

new text begin (2) if the application is filed during the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching service, the accrual date may begin to accrue retroactively, but no earlier than the day after teaching service terminated and no later than six months after the termination date. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Resumption of teaching service after retirement.

(a) Any person who retired under the provisions of this chapter and has thereafter resumed teaching in any employer unit to which this chapter applies is eligible to continue to receive payments in accordance with the annuity except that all or a portion of the annuity payments must be deferred during the calendar year immediately following deleted text begin any calendardeleted text end new text begin the fiscal new text end year in which the person's salary from the teaching service is in an amount greater than $46,000. The amount of the annuity deferral is one-half of the salary amount in excess of $46,000 and must be deducted from the annuity payable for the calendar year immediately following the deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin fiscal new text end year in which the excess amount was earned.

(b) If the person is retired for only a fractional part of the deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin fiscal new text end year during the initial year of retirement, the maximum reemployment salary exempt from triggering a deferral as specified in this subdivision must be prorated for that deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin fiscal new text end year.

(c) After a person has reached the Social Security normal retirement age, no deferral requirement is applicable regardless of the amount of salary.

(d) The amount of the retirement annuity deferral must be handled or disposed of as provided in section 356.47.

(e) For the purpose of this subdivision, salary from teaching service includes, but is not limited to:

(1) all income for services performed as a consultant or an independent contractor for an employer unit covered by the provisions of this chapter; and

(2) the greater of either the income received or an amount based on the rate paid with respect to an administrative position, consultant, or independent contractor in an employer unit with approximately the same number of pupils and at the same level as the position occupied by the person who resumes teaching service.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.47, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Death before retirement.

(a) If a member dies before retirement and is covered under section 354.44, subdivision 2, and neither an optional annuity, nor a reversionary annuity, nor a benefit under section 354.46, subdivision 1, is payable to the survivors if the member was a basic member, then the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the designated beneficiary is entitled to an amount equal to the member's accumulated deductions with interest credited to the account of the member to the date of death of the member. If the designated beneficiary is a minor, interest must be credited to the date the beneficiary reaches legal age, or the date of receipt, whichever is earlier.

(b) If a member dies before retirement and is covered under section 354.44, subdivision 6, and neither an optional annuity, nor reversionary annuity, nor the benefit described in section 354.46, subdivision 1, is payable to the survivors if the member was a basic member, then the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the designated beneficiary is entitled to an amount equal to the member's accumulated deductions credited to the account of the member as of June 30, 1957, and from July 1, 1957, to the date of death of the member, the member's accumulated deductions plus six percent interest compounded annually.

(c) If the designated beneficiary under paragraph (b) is a minor, any interest credited under that paragraph must be credited to the date the beneficiary reaches legal age, or the date of receipt, whichever is earlier.

new text begin (d) The amount of any refund payable under this subdivision must be reduced by any permanent disability payment under section 354.48 received by the member. 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. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Determination by executive director.

(a) The executive director shall have the member examined by at least two licensed physicians, licensed chiropractors, or licensed psychologists deleted text begin selected by the medical adviserdeleted text end .

(b) These physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, shall make written reports to the executive director concerning the member's disability, including expert opinions as to whether or not the member is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354.05, subdivision 14.

(c) The executive director shall also obtain written certification from the last employer stating whether or not the member was separated from service because of a disability which would reasonably prevent further service to the employer and as a consequence the member is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(d) If, upon the consideration of the reports of the physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists and any other evidence presented by the member or by others interested therein, the executive director finds that the member is totally and permanently disabled, the executive director shall grant the member a disability benefit.

(e) An employee who is placed on leave of absence without compensation because of disability is not barred from receiving 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. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Regular physical examinations.

At least once each year during the first five years following the allowance of a disability benefit to any member, and at least once in every three-year period thereafter, the executive director deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end require the disability deleted text begin beneficiarydeleted text end new text begin recipient new text end to undergo an expert examination by a physician or physicians, by a chiropractor or chiropractors, or by one or more psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, engaged by the executive director. If an examination indicates that the member is no longer permanently and totally disabled or that the member is engaged or is able to engage in a substantial gainful occupation, payments of the disability benefit by the association must be discontinued. The payments must be discontinued as soon as the member is reinstated to the payroll following sick leave, but payment may not be made for more than 60 days after the physicians, the chiropractors, or the psychologists engaged by the executive director find that the person 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. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.49, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Calculation.

new text begin (a) new text end Except as provided in section 354.44, subdivision 1, any person who ceases to be a member by reason of termination of teaching service, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin is entitled tonew text end receive a refund in an amount equal to the accumulated deductions credited to the account as of June 30, 1957, and after July 1, 1957, the accumulated deductions with interest at the rate of six percent per annum compounded annually. For the purpose of this subdivision, interest deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be computed on fiscal year end balances to the first day of the month in which the refund is issued.

new text begin (b) If the person has received permanent disability payments under section 354.48, the refund amount must be reduced by the amount of those payments. 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. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.52, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

deleted text begin Annualdeleted text end Postretirement income deleted text begin reportsdeleted text end new text begin reportingnew text end .

deleted text begin On or before each February 15, a representative authorized by andeleted text end new text begin Each new text end employing unit must report to the executive director the amount of income earned during the previous deleted text begin calendardeleted text end new text begin fiscal new text end year by each retiree for teaching service performed after retirement. This deleted text begin annual report must bedeleted text end new text begin shall be done through the payroll reporting system and is new text end based on reemployment income as defined in section 354.44, subdivision 5deleted text begin , and it must be made on a form provided by the executive directordeleted text end . deleted text begin Signingdeleted text end new text begin Submitting new text end the deleted text begin reportdeleted text end new text begin salary data through payroll reporting new text end has the force and effect of an oath as to the correctness of the amount of postretirement reemployment income earned.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.52, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:

Subd. 4b.

Payroll cycle reporting requirements.

An employing unit shall provide the following data to the association for payroll warrants on an ongoing basis within 14 calendar days after the date of the payroll warrant in a format prescribed by the executive director:

(1) association member number;

(2) employer-assigned employee number;

(3) Social Security number;

(4) amount of each salary deduction;

(5) amount of salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 35, from which each deduction was made;

(6) reason for payment;

(7) service credit;

(8) the beginning and ending dates of the payroll period covered and the date of actual payment;

(9) fiscal year of salary earnings;

(10) total remittance amount including employee, employer, and additional employer contributions; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

new text begin (11) reemployed annuitant salary under section 354.44, subdivision 5; and new text end

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (12)new text end other information as may be required by the executive director.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 31.

new text begin [354.543] PRIOR OR UNCREDITED MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Service credit purchase authorized. new text end

new text begin (a) If paragraph (b) does not apply, a teacher who has at least three years of allowable service credit with the Teachers Retirement Association and who performed service in the United States armed forces before becoming a teacher as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 2, or who failed to obtain service credit for a military leave of absence under the provisions of section 354.53, is entitled to purchase allowable and formula service credit for the initial period of enlistment, induction, or call to active duty without any voluntary extension by making payment under section 356.551. new text end

new text begin (b) A service credit purchase is prohibited if: new text end

new text begin (1) the teacher separated from service with the United States armed forces with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions; or new text end

new text begin (2) the teacher has purchased or otherwise received service credit from any Minnesota defined benefit public employee pension plan, other than a volunteer fire plan, for the same period of service. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application and documentation. new text end

new text begin A teacher who desires to purchase service credit under subdivision 1 must apply with the executive director to make the purchase. The application must include all necessary documentation of the teacher's qualifications to make the purchase, signed written permission to allow the executive director to request and receive necessary verification of applicable facts and eligibility requirements, and any other relevant information that the executive director may require. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Service credit grant. new text end

new text begin Allowable and formula service credit for the purchase period must be granted by the Teachers Retirement Association to the purchasing teacher upon receipt of the purchase payment amount. Payment must be made before the teacher's termination of teaching service. 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. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.55, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Deferred annuity; augmentation.

(a) Any person covered under section 354.44, subdivision 6, who ceases to render teaching service, may leave the person's accumulated deductions in the fund for the purpose of receiving a deferred annuity at retirement. deleted text begin Eligibility for an annuity under this subdivision is governed pursuant to section 354.44, subdivision 1, or 354.60.deleted text end

(b) The amount of the deferred retirement annuity is determined by section 354.44, subdivision 6, and augmented as provided in this subdivision. The required reserves deleted text begin related to that portion ofdeleted text end new text begin for new text end the annuity which had accrued when the member ceased to render teaching service must be augmentednew text begin , as further specified in this subdivision,new text end by interest compounded annually from the first day of the month following the month during which the member ceased to render teaching service to the effective date of retirement.

new text begin (c)new text end deleted text begin There shall bedeleted text end No augmentation new text begin is not creditablenew text end if deleted text begin thisdeleted text end new text begin the deferral new text end period is less than three months or if deleted text begin this period commences prior todeleted text end new text begin deferral commenced before new text end July 1, 1971. deleted text begin The rates of interest used for this purpose must be five percent compounded annually commencing July 1, 1971, until January 1, 1981, and three percent compounded annually thereafter until January 1 of the year following the year in which the former member attains age 55 and from that date to the effective date of retirement, the rate is five percent compounded annually 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.deleted text end

new text begin (d) For persons who became covered employees before July 1, 2006, with a deferral period commencing after June 30, 1971, the annuity must be augmented using five percent interest compounded annually until January 1, 1981, and three percent interest compounded annually thereafter until January 1 of the year following the year in which the deferred annuitant attains age 55. From that date to the effective date of retirement, the rate is five percent compounded annually. new text end

new text begin (e) For persons who become covered employees after June 30, 2006, the interest rate used to augment the deferred annuity is 2.5 percent interest compounded annually. new text end

new text begin (f)new text end If a person has more than one period of uninterrupted service, a separate average salary determined under section 354.44, subdivision 6, must be used for each period and the required reserves related to each period must be augmented deleted text begin by interest pursuant todeleted text end new text begin as specified in new text end this subdivision. The sum of the augmented required reserves deleted text begin so determined shall be the basis for purchasingdeleted text end new text begin is the present value of new text end the deleted text begin deferreddeleted text end annuity.new text begin For the purposes of this subdivision, "period of uninterrupted service" means a period of covered teaching service during which the member has not been separated from active service for more than one fiscal year.new text end

new text begin (g)new text end If a person repays a refund, the service restored by the repayment must be considered as continuous with the next period of service for which the person has new text begin allowable service new text end credit deleted text begin with this funddeleted text end new text begin in the Teachers Retirement Associationnew text end .

new text begin (h)new text end If a person does not render teaching service in any one fiscal year or more consecutive fiscal years and then resumes teaching service, the formula percentages used from the date of the resumption of teaching service must be those applicable to new members.

new text begin (i)new text end The mortality table and interest assumption used to compute the annuity must be the applicable mortality table established by the board under section 354.07, subdivision 1, and the interest rate assumption under section 356.215 in effect when the member retires. deleted text begin A period of uninterrupted service for the purposes of this subdivision means a period of covered teaching service during which the member has not been separated from active service for more than one fiscal year.deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end In no case deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end the annuity payable under this subdivision be less than the amount of annuity payable deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 354.44, subdivision 6.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (k) new text end The requirements and provisions for retirement before normal retirement age contained in section 354.44, subdivision 6, deleted text begin clause (3) or (5),deleted text end deleted text begin shalldeleted text end also apply to an employee fulfilling the requirements with a combination of service as provided in section 354.60.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end The augmentation provided by this subdivision applies to the benefit provided in section 354.46, subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end The augmentation provided by this subdivision deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin doesnew text end not apply to any period in which a person is on an approved leave of absence from an employer unit covered by the provisions of this chapter.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end The retirement annuity or disability benefit of, or the survivor benefit payable on behalf of, a former teacher who terminated service before July 1, 1997, which is not first payable until after June 30, 1997, must be increased on an actuarial equivalent basis to reflect the change in the postretirement interest rate actuarial assumption under section 356.215, subdivision 8, from five percent to six percent under a calculation procedure and tables adopted by the board as recommended by an approved actuary and approved by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.096, is amended to read:

354A.096 MEDICAL LEAVE.

Any teacher in the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association who is on an authorized medical leave of absence and subsequently returns to teaching service is entitled to receive allowable service credit, not to exceed one year, for the period of leave, upon making the prescribed payment to the fund. This payment must include the required employee and employer contributions at the rates specified in section 354A.12, subdivisions 1 and deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 2anew text end , as applied to the member's average full-time monthly salary rate on the date the leave of absence commenced plus annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent per year from the end of the fiscal year during which the leave terminates to the end of the month during which payment is made. The member must pay the total amount required unless the employing unit, at its option, pays the employer contributions. The total amount required must be paid by the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the leave of absence terminated or before the member retires, whichever is earlier. Payment must be accompanied by a copy of the resolution or action of the employing authority granting the leave and the employing authority, upon granting the leave, must certify the leave to the association in a manner specified by the executive director. A member may not receive more than one year of allowable service credit during any fiscal year by making payment under this section. A member may not receive disability benefits under section 354A.36 and receive allowable service credit under this section for the same period of time.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Employer regular and additional deleted text begin contribution ratesdeleted text end new text begin contributionsnew text end .

(a) The employing units shall make the following employer contributions to teachers retirement fund associations:

(1) deleted text begin for any coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall pay the employer Social Security taxes;deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end for any coordinated member of one of the following teachers retirement fund associations in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund association in an amount equal to the designated percentage of the salary of the coordinated member as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association 4.50 percent
St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association 4.50 percent

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end for any basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund in an amount equal to 8.00 percent of the salary of the basic member;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end for a basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to 3.64 percent of the salary of the basic member;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end for a coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the coordinated member's salary, as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association 1.29 percent
St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association new text begin 3.84 percent new text end
deleted text begin July 1, 1993 - June 30, 1994 deleted text end deleted text begin 0.50 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995 deleted text end deleted text begin 1.50 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin July 1, 1997, and thereafter deleted text end deleted text begin 3.84 percent deleted text end

(b) The regular and additional employer contributions must be remitted directly to the respective teachers retirement fund association at least once each month. Delinquent amounts are payable with interest under the procedure in subdivision 1a.

(c) Payments of regular and additional employer contributions for school district or technical college employees who are paid from normal operating funds must be made from the appropriate fund of the district or technical college.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Adjustment for erroneous receipts. new text end

new text begin (a) Adjustments to correct employer contributions and employee deductions taken in error from amounts which are not salary under section 354A.011, subdivision 24, must be made as specified in this section. new text end

new text begin (b) Upon discovery of the receipt of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions under paragraph (a), the executive director must require the employer to discontinue the erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions reported on behalf of an active member. Upon discontinuation, the executive director must provide for a refund or credit to the employer in the amount of the invalid employee deductions with interest on the employee deductions at the rate specified in section 354A.37, subdivision 3, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction to the first day of the month in which the credit or refund is made. The employer must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the active member. new text end

new text begin (c) If the individual is a former member who is not receiving a retirement annuity or benefit and has not received a refund under section 354A.37, subdivision 3, related to the applicable service, the executive director must return the erroneous employee deductions to the former member through a refund with interest at the rate specified in section 354A.37, subdivision 3, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction to the first day of the month in which the credit or refund is made. new text end

new text begin (d) The executive director must 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. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Recovery of benefit overpayments. new text end

new text begin (a) If the executive director discovers, within the time period specified in subdivision 8 following the payment of a refund or the accrual date of any retirement annuity, survivor benefit, or disability benefit, that benefit overpayment has occurred due to using invalid service or salary, or due to any erroneous calculation procedure, the executive director must recalculate the annuity or benefit payable and recover any overpayment. The executive director shall recover the overpayment by requiring direct repayment or by suspending or reducing the payment of a retirement annuity or other benefit payable under this chapter to the applicable person or the person's estate, whichever applies, until all outstanding amounts have been recovered. new text end

new text begin (b) In the event the executive director determines that an overpaid annuity or benefit that is the result of invalid salary included in the average salary used to calculate the payment amount must be recovered, the executive director must determine the amount of the employee deductions taken in error on the invalid salary, with interest as determined under 354A.37, subdivision 3, and must subtract that amount from the total annuity or benefit overpayment, and the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit, if any, must be recovered. new text end

new text begin (c) If the invalid employee deductions plus interest exceed the amount of the overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the benefit or annuity is being paid. new text end

new text begin (d) Any invalid employer contributions reported on the invalid salary must be credited against future contributions payable by the employer. new text end

new text begin (e) If a member or former member, who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit for which an overpayment is being recovered, dies before recovery of the overpayment is completed and an optional annuity or refund is payable, the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit must continue to be recovered from the payment to the optional annuity beneficiary or refund recipient. new text end

new text begin (f) The board of trustees shall adopt policies directing the period of time and manner for the collection of any overpaid retirement or optional annuity, and survivor or disability benefit, or a refund that the executive director determines must be recovered as provided under this section. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Additional procedures. new text end

new text begin (a) If paragraph (b) does not apply, the period of adjustment under subdivisions 6 and 7 is limited to the fiscal year in which the error is discovered by the executive director and the immediate two preceding fiscal years. new text end

new text begin (b) 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 specified under paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the executive director may apply the Revenue Procedures defined in the 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 refund or overpayment. new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, interest of $10 or less shall not be payable to a member or former member. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Employer responsibility for fees, penalties. new text end

new text begin Any fees or penalties assessed by the 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 end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.36, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Requirement for regular physical examinations.

At least once each year during the first five years following the granting of a disability benefit to a coordinated member by the board and at least once in every three year period thereafter, the board deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end require the disability benefit recipient to undergo an expert examination as a condition for continued entitlement of the benefit recipient to receive a disability benefit. new text begin If the board requires an examination, new text end the expert examination must be made at the place of residence of the disability benefit recipient or at any other place mutually agreeable to the disability benefit recipient and the board. The expert examination must be made by a physician or physicians, by a chiropractor or chiropractors, or by one or more psychologists engaged by the board. The physician or physicians, the chiropractor or chiropractors, or the psychologist or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, conducting the expert examination shall make a written report to the board concerning the disability benefit recipient and the recipient's disability, including a statement of the expert opinion of the physician, chiropractor, or psychologist as to whether or not the member remains permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354A.011, subdivision 14. If the board determines from consideration of the written expert examination report of the physician, of the chiropractor, or of the psychologist, with respect to a mental impairment, that the disability benefit recipient is no longer permanently and totally disabled or if the board determines that the benefit recipient is engaged or is able to engage in a gainful occupation, unless the disability benefit recipient is partially employed under subdivision 7, then further disability benefit payments from the fund must be discontinued. The discontinuation of disability benefits must occur immediately if the disability recipient is reinstated to the district payroll following sick leave and within 60 days of the determination by the board following the expert examination and report of the physician or physicians, chiropractor or chiropractors, or psychologist or psychologists engaged by the board that the disability benefit recipient is no longer permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354A.011, subdivision 14.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Automatic deposits.

(a) The chief administrative officer of a covered retirement plan may remit, through an automatic deposit system, annuity, benefit, or refund payments only to a financial institution associated with the National Automated Clearinghouse Association or a comparable successor organization that is trustee for a person who is eligible to receive the annuity, benefit, or refund.

(b) Upon the request of a retiree, disabilitant, survivor, or former member, the chief administrative officer of a covered retirement plan may remit the annuity, benefit, or refund deleted text begin checkdeleted text end new text begin payment new text end to the applicable financial institution for deposit in the person's individual account or the person's joint account. new text begin If an overpayment of benefits is paid after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient, the chief administrative officer of the pension plan is authorized to issue an administrative subpoena consistent with the requirements of section 13A.02, requiring the applicable financial institution to disclose the names of all joint and co-owners of the account and a description of all deposits to, and withdrawals from, the account which take place on or after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient. new text end An overpayment to a joint account after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient must be repaid to the fund of the applicable covered retirement plan by the joint tenant if the overpayment is not repaid to that fund by the financial institution associated with the National Automated Clearinghouse Association or its successor. The governing board of the covered retirement plan may prescribe the conditions under which these payments may be made.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.465, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Inclusion as recipient.

deleted text begin Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary of the laws, articles of incorporation, or bylaws governing a covered retirement plan specified in subdivision 3,deleted text end A retiring member may designate a qualified supplemental needs trust under subdivision 2 as the remainder recipient on an optional retirement annuity form for a period not to exceed the lifetime of the beneficiary of the supplemental needs trust.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.465, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expanded eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, for a retirement plan specified in paragraph (b), a designation under subdivision 1 may be made by an active, disabled, deferred, or retiring member. new text end

new text begin (b) The applicable plan is the Teachers Retirement Association established under chapter 354. 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. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.611, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Maximum benefit limitations.

A member's annual benefit, if necessary, must be reduced to the extent required by section 415(b) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, as adjusted by the United States secretary of the treasury under section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Codenew text begin for any applicable increases in the cost of living after the member's termination of employmentnew text end . For purposes of section 415 of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, the limitation year of a pension plan covered by this section must be the fiscal year or calendar year of that plan, whichever is applicable. deleted text begin The accrued benefit limitation described in section 415(e) of the Internal Revenue Code must cease to be effective for limitation years beginning after December 31, 1999.deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.611, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Compensation.

(a) For purposes of this section, compensation means a member's compensation actually paid or made available for any limitation year deleted text begin determined as provided bydeleted text end new text begin including items described in new text end new text begin federalnew text end treasury regulation section deleted text begin 1.415-2(d)(10)deleted text end new text begin 1.415(c)-2(b) and excluding items described in federal treasury regulation section 1.415(c)-2(c)new text end .

(b) Compensation for any period includes:

(1) any elective deferral as defined in section 402(g)(3) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code;

(2) any elective amounts that are not includable in a member's gross income by reason of sections 125 or 457 of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code; and

(3) any elective amounts that are not includable in a member's gross income by reason of section 132(f)(4) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.635, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Eligible retirement plan.

(a) An "eligible retirement plan" is:

(1) an individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code;

(2) an individual retirement annuity plan under section 408(b) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code;

(3) an annuity plan under section 403(a) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code;

(4) a qualified trust plan under section 401(a) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distribution;

(5) an annuity contract under section 403(b) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(6) an eligible deferred compensation plan under section 457(b) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, which is maintained by a state or local government and which agrees to separately account for the amounts transferred into the plannew text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (7) in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to a nonspousal beneficiary, an individual account or annuity treated as an inherited individual retirement account under section 402(c)(11) of the federal Internal Revenue Codenew text end .

(b) For distributions of after-tax contributions which are not includable in gross income, the after-tax portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or (b) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in either section 401(a) or 403(a) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, that agrees to separately account for the amounts transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of the distribution which is includable in gross income and the portion of the distribution which is not includable.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.635, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Distributee.

A "distributee" is:

(1) an employee or a former employee;

(2) the surviving spouse of an employee or former employee; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(3) the former spouse of the employee or former employee who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order as defined in section 414(p) of the new text begin federalnew text end Internal Revenue Code, or who is a recipient of a court-ordered equitable distribution of marital property, as provided in section 518.58deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (4) a nonspousal beneficiary of an employee or former employee who qualifies for a distribution under the plan and is a designated beneficiary as defined in section 401(a)(9)(E) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.96, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Petition for review.

(a) A person who claims a right under subdivision 2 may petition for a review of that decision by the governing board of the covered pension plan.

(b) A petition under this section must be sent to the chief administrative officer by mail and must be postmarked no later than 60 days after the person received the notice required by subdivision 3. The petition must include the person's statement of the reason or reasons that the person believes the decision of the chief administrative officer should be reversed or modified. The petition may include all documentation and written materials that the petitioner deems to be relevant. new text begin In developing a record for review by the board when a decision is appealed, the executive director may direct that the applicant participate in a fact-finding session conducted by an administrative law judge assigned by the Office of Administrative Hearings and, as applicable, participate in a vocational assessment conducted by a qualified rehabilitation counselor on contract with the applicable retirement 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. 48.

Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 5, section 5, as amended by Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 5, section 36, is amended to read:

Sec. 5.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) Sections 1, 3, and 4 are effective the day following final enactment and section 3 has effect retroactively from July 25, 2005.

(b) Section 2 with respect to the Cannon Falls Hospital District is effective upon the latter of:

(1) the day after the governing body of the Cannon Falls Hospital District and its chief clerical officer meet the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3; and

(2) the first day of the month following certification to the Cannon Falls Hospital District by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized City of Cannon Falls Hospital employees under section 1 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the current employer or by the entity which is the employer following the privatization.

(c) Section 2, with respect to Clearwater County Memorial Hospital, is effective upon the latter of:

(1) the day after the governing body of Clearwater County and its chief clerical officer meet the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, except that the certificate of approval must be filed before January 1, deleted text begin 2009deleted text end new text begin 2010new text end ; and

(2) the first day of the month following certification to Clearwater County by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized Clearwater Health Services employees under section 2 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the current employer or by the entity which is the employer following the privatization.

(d) Section 2 with respect to the Dassel Lakeside Community Home is effective upon the latter of:

(1) the day after the governing body of the city of Dassel and its chief clerical officer timely complete compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3; and

(2) the first day of the month next following certification to the Dassel City Council by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized Dassel Lakeside Community Home employees under section 2 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the city of Dassel or by the entity which is the employer following the 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. 49.

new text begin CITY OF DULUTH AND DULUTH AIRPORT AUTHORITY; CORRECTING ERRONEOUS EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS AND ADJUSTING OVERPAID BENEFITS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivisions 7 and 7b, or Minnesota Statutes 2008, chapters 353 and 356, to the contrary, this section establishes the procedures by which the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall adjust erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions paid on behalf of active employees and former members by the city of Duluth and by the Duluth Airport Authority on amounts determined by the executive director to be invalid salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 10, reported between January 1, 1997, and October 23, 2008, and for adjusting benefits that were paid to former members and their beneficiaries based upon invalid salary amounts. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Refunds of employee deductions. new text end

new text begin (a) The executive director shall refund to active employees or former members who are not receiving retirement annuities or benefits all erroneous employee deductions identified by the city of Duluth or by the Duluth Airport Authority as deductions taken from amounts determined to be invalid salary. The refunds must include interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the date each refund is paid. new text end

new text begin (b) The refund payment for active employees must be sent to the applicable governmental subdivision which must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the active members who are employees of the city of Duluth or who are employees of the Duluth Airport Authority, as applicable. new text end

new text begin (c) Refunds to former members must be mailed by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association to the former member's last known address. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Benefit adjustments. new text end

new text begin (a) For a former member who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit, or for a person receiving an optional annuity or survivor benefit, the executive director must: new text end

new text begin (1) adjust the annuity or benefit payment to the correct monthly benefit amount payable by reducing the average salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 17a, by the invalid salary amounts; new text end

new text begin (2) determine the amount of the overpaid benefits paid from the effective date of the annuity or benefit payment to the first of the month in which the monthly benefit amount is corrected; new text end

new text begin (3) calculate the amount of employee deductions taken in error on invalid salary, including interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the date the annuity or benefit is adjusted as provided under clause (1); and new text end

new text begin (4) determine the net amount of overpaid benefits by reducing the amount of the overpaid annuity or benefit as determined in clause (2) by the amount of the erroneous employee deductions with interest determined in clause (3). new text end

new text begin (b) If a former member's erroneous employee deductions plus interest determined under this section exceeds the amount of the person's overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the annuity or benefit is being paid. new text end

new text begin (c) The executive director shall recover the net amount of all overpaid annuities or benefits as provided under subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Employer credits and obligations. new text end

new text begin (a) The executive director shall provide a credit without interest to the city of Duluth and to the Duluth Airport Authority for the amount of that governmental subdivision's erroneous employer contributions. The credit must first be used to offset the net amount of the overpaid retirement annuities and the disability and survivor benefits that remains after applying the amount of erroneous employee deductions with interest as provided under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4). The remaining erroneous employer contributions, if any, must be credited against future employer contributions required to be paid by the applicable governmental subdivision. If the overpaid benefits exceed the employer contribution credit, the balance of the overpaid benefits is the obligation of the city of Duluth or the Duluth Airport Authority, whichever is applicable. new text end

new text begin (b) The Public Employees Retirement Association board of trustees shall determine the period of time and manner for the collection of overpaid retirement annuities and benefits, if any, from the city of Duluth and the Duluth Airport Authority. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) This section is effective for the city of Duluth the day after the Duluth city council and the chief clerical officer of the city of Duluth timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the city of Duluth. new text end

new text begin (b) This section is effective for the Duluth Airport Authority the day after the Duluth Airport Authority and the chief clerical officer of the Duluth Airport Authority timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the Duluth Airport Authority. new text end

Sec. 50.

new text begin APPLICATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION ERRONEOUS RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS PROVISION; ELECTION. new text end

new text begin (a) If adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, due to invalid salary amounts are in process as of the effective date of this section for employees or former employees of a governmental subdivision, the governing body of the governmental subdivision may elect to have the statute of limitations under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, paragraphs (c) and (g), apply to adjustments or corrections in process as of the effective date of Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, by a resolution of the governing body transmitted to the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director within 90 days after the effective date of this section. new text end

new text begin (b) If the governing body of the governmental subdivision declines the treatment permitted under paragraph (a) or fails to submit a resolution in a timely manner, the statute of limitations does not apply to adjustments or corrections in process as of the effective date. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 51.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 354.06, subdivision 6; and 354.55, subdivision 14, new text end new text begin are 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 5

LOCAL GOVERNMENT POST RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 11b, is amended to read:

Subd. 11b.

Termination of membership.

(a) "Termination of membership" means the conclusion of membership in the association for a person who has not terminated public service under subdivision 11a and occurs:

(1) when a person files a written election with the association to discontinue employee deductions under section 353.27, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (1);

(2) when a city manager files a written election with the association to discontinue employee deductions under section 353.028, subdivision 2;deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(3) when a member transfers to a temporary position and becomes excluded from membership under subdivision 2b, clause (4)deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (4) when a member is approved to participate in the postretirement option authorized under section 353.371. new text end

(b) The termination of membership under deleted text begin clausedeleted text end new text begin clauses new text end (3) new text begin and (4) new text end must be reported to the association by the governmental 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. 2.

new text begin [353.371] POSTRETIREMENT OPTION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) This section applies to a basic or coordinated member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association who: new text end

new text begin (1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause (2), was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; new text end

new text begin (2) terminates membership as defined under section 353.01, subdivision 11b; new text end

new text begin (3) at the time of termination under clause (2), was at least age 62 and met the age and service requirements necessary to receive a retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity; new text end

new text begin (4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different governmental subdivision, working a reduced schedule that is both: new text end

new text begin (i) a reduction of at least 25 percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and new text end

new text begin (ii) 1,044 hours or less in public; and new text end

new text begin (5) is not eligible for participation in the state employee postretirement option program under section 43A.346. new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, the length of separation requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work agreements under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Annuity reduction not applicable. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the provisions of section 353.37 governing annuities of reemployed annuitants do not apply for the duration of a terminated member's employment in a postretirement option position. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Governing body discretion. new text end

new text begin The governing body of the governmental subdivision has sole discretion to determine if and the extent to which a postretirement option position under this section is available to a terminated member. Any offer of such a position must be made in writing to the person by the governing body's designee in a manner prescribed by the executive director. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duration. new text end

new text begin Postretirement option employment shall be for an initial period not to exceed one year. At the end of the initial period, the governing body has sole discretion to determine if the offer of a postretirement option position will be renewed, renewed with modifications, or terminated. Postretirement option employment may be renewed annually, but may not be renewed after the individual attains retirement age as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 416(l). new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Copy to fund. new text end

new text begin The appointing authority shall provide the Public Employees Retirement Association with documentation, as prescribed by the executive director, of the terms of any agreement entered into with a member who accepts continuing employment with the appointing authority under the terms of this section, and any subsequent renewal agreement. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin No service credit. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person may not earn service credit in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for employment covered under this section, and employer contributions and payroll deductions for the retirement fund must not be made based on earnings of a person working under an agreement covered by this section. No change may be made to a monthly annuity or retirement allowance based on employment under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Subsequent employment. new text end

new text begin If a person has been in a postretirement option position and accepts any other position in public service beyond the period of time for which the person participated in the postretirement option provided under this section, the person may not earn service credit in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, no employer contributions or payroll deductions for the retirement fund may be made, and the provisions of section 353.37 apply. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires on June 30, 2011. Individuals must not be appointed to a postretirement option position after that date. new text end

ARTICLE 6

MNSCU RELATED RETIREMENT PROVISIONS

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.481] EARLY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may offer a targeted early separation incentive program for its employees. new text end

new text begin (b) The early separation incentive program may include one or both of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) cash incentives, not to exceed one year of base salary; or new text end

new text begin (2) employer contributions to the postretirement healthcare savings plan established under section 352.98. new text end

new text begin (c) To be eligible to receive an incentive, an employee must be at least age 55 and must have at least five years of employment by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. The board of trustees shall establish the eligibility requirements for system employees to receive an incentive. The board of trustees shall file a copy of its proposed eligibility requirements with the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Higher Education and the Higher Education Budget and Policy Division of the Senate Committee on Finance and with the chair and ranking members of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at least 30 days before their final adoption by the board of trustees, shall post the same document on the system website at the same time, and shall hold a public hearing on the proposed eligibility requirements. The type and any additional amount of the incentive to be offered may vary by employee classification, as specified by the board. new text end

new text begin (d) The president of a college or university, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate: new text end

new text begin (1) specific departments or programs at the college or university whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or new text end

new text begin (2) positions at the college or university eligible to be offered the incentive program. new text end

new text begin (e) The chancellor, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate: new text end

new text begin (1) system office divisions whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or new text end

new text begin (2) positions at the system office eligible to be offered the incentive program. new text end

new text begin (f) Acceptance of the offered incentive must be voluntary on the part of the employee and must be in writing. The incentive may only be offered at the sole discretion of the president of the applicable college or university. new text end

new text begin (g) A decision by the president of a college or university or by the chancellor not to offer an incentive may not be challenged. new text end

new text begin (h) The cost of the incentive is payable by the college or university on whose behalf the president offered the incentive or from the system office budget if the chancellor offered the incentive. If a college or university is merged, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the successor institution. If a college or university is closed, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the board of trustees. new text end

new text begin (i) Annually, the chancellor and the president of each college or university must report on the number and types of early separation incentives which were offered and utilized under this section. The report must be filed annually with the board of trustees and with the Legislative Reference Library on or before September 1. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; SUNSET. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires June 30, 2014. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [136F.482] APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS. new text end

new text begin Unilateral implementation of section 136F.481 by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, by the chancellor, or by a president of a college or university is not an unfair labor practice under chapter 179A. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; SUNSET. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires June 30, 2014. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Coverage; election.

deleted text begin (a) For eligible persons who were employed by the former state university system or the former community college system before May 1, 1995, the person has the retirement coverage that the person had for employment immediately before May 1, 1995. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) For all other eligible personsdeleted text end new text begin (a) Eligible persons who were employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System on or after June 30, 2009new text end , unless otherwise specified in this section, deleted text begin the eligible person isdeleted text end new text begin are new text end authorized to elect prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage rather than coverage by the plan established by this chapter. The election of prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be made within one year of commencing eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment. If an election is not made within the specified election period due to a termination of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment, an election may be made within 90 days of returning to eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment. All elections are irrevocable. deleted text begin Prior todeleted text end new text begin Before new text end making an electionnew text begin ,new text end the eligible person deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end covered by the plan indicated as default coverage under subdivision 3.

new text begin (b) Except as provided in paragraph new text end (c)new text begin ,new text end a purchase of service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association plan for any period or periods of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment occurring deleted text begin prior todeleted text end new text begin before new text end the election under paragraph deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end is prohibited.

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a faculty member who is a member of the individual retirement account plan who first achieves tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university after June 30, 2009, may elect to transfer retirement coverage under the teachers retirement plan within one year of the faculty member achieving tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university. The faculty member electing Teachers Retirement Association coverage under this paragraph must purchase service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association for the entire period of time covered under the individual retirement account plan and the purchase payment amount must be determined under section 356.551. The Teachers Retirement Association may charge a faculty member transferring coverage a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with computing the actuarial cost of purchasing service credit and making the transfer. A faculty member transferring from the individual retirement account plan to the Teachers Retirement Association may use any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the individual retirement account plan, any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the higher education supplemental retirement plan established under chapter 354C, or any source specified in section 356.441, subdivision 1, to purchase the service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association. If the total amount of payments under this paragraph are less than the total purchase payment amount under section 356.551, the payment amounts must be refunded to the applicable source. The retirement coverage transfer and service credit purchase authority under this paragraph expires with respect to any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty initially hired after June 30, 2014. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 7

ST. PAUL TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND ASSOCIATION
POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.29, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Postretirement adjustment.

(a) The postretirement adjustment described in deleted text begin the articles and bylaws of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Associationdeleted text end new text begin this sectionnew text end must be determined by the new text begin executive director of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association and approved by the new text end board annually deleted text begin after June 30deleted text end deleted text begin using the procedures under this sectiondeleted text end .

(b) new text begin On January 1, new text end each eligible person who has been receiving an annuity or benefit under the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or this chapter for at least deleted text begin 12deleted text end new text begin three calendar new text end months as of the end of the deleted text begin fiscaldeleted text end new text begin last day of the previous calendar new text end year is eligible to receive a postretirement deleted text begin adjustment of 2.0 percent that is payable each January 1deleted text end new text begin increase as further specified in this subdivisionnew text end .

new text begin (c) A percentage adjustment must be computed and paid under this subdivision to eligible persons under paragraph (b). This adjustment is determined by reference to the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers all items index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the United States Department of Labor each year as part of the determination of annual cost-of-living adjustments to recipients of federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. For calculations of the cost-of-living adjustment under paragraph (d), the term "average third quarter Consumer Price Index value" means the sum of the monthly index values as initially reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the months of July, August, and September, divided by 3. new text end

new text begin (d) Before January 1 of each year, the executive director must calculate the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment by dividing the most recent average third quarter index value by the same average third quarter index value from the previous year, subtract one from the resulting quotient, and express the result as a percentage amount, which must be rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent. new text end

new text begin (e) The amount calculated under paragraph (d) is the full cost-of-living adjustment to be applied as a permanent increase to the regular payment of each eligible member on January 1 of the next calendar year. For any eligible member whose effective date of benefit commencement occurred during the calendar year before the cost-of-living adjustment is applied, the full increase amount must be prorated on the basis of whole calendar quarters in benefit payment status in the calendar year prior to the January 1 on which the cost-of-living adjustment is applied, calculated to the third decimal place. new text end

new text begin (f) The adjustment may not be less than zero, nor greater than five percent. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin BYLAW REVISION AUTHORIZATION. new text end

new text begin Consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivision 4, the board of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall revise the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the teachers retirement fund association to conform with section 1. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.29, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 3 are effective January 1, 2010, and expire June 30, 2011. new text end

ARTICLE 8

LOCAL POLICE AND PAID FIRE
RELIEF ASSOCIATION CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Relief association financial requirements; minimum municipal obligation.

(a) The officers of the relief association shall determine the financial requirements of the relief association and minimum obligation of the municipality 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 municipality must be determined on or before the submission date established by the municipality 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) for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association, the Fairmont Police Relief Association, and the Virginia Fire Department Relief Association, 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. No amount of administrative expenses under this clause are to be included in the financial requirements of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association; 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 deleted text begin by December 31, 2010, the Fairmont Police Relief Association, the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association, and the Virginia Fire Department Relief Association, by the date determined under section 356.216, paragraph (a), clause (2), for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association, and by December 31, 2020, for the Minneapolis Police Relief Association,deleted text end 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 8deleted text begin . Thedeleted text end new text begin , by that fund'snew text end amortization date new text begin as new text end specified in deleted text begin this clause applies to all local police or salaried firefighters' relief associations and that date supersedes any amortization date specified in any applicable special lawdeleted text end new text begin paragraph (d)new text end .

new text begin (d) The Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association special fund amortization date is determined under section 423C.15, subdivisions 3 and 4. The Virginia Fire Department Relief Association special fund amortization date is December 31, 2010. The Minneapolis Police Relief Association special fund and the Fairmont Police Relief Association special fund amortization date is December 31, 2020. The Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association special fund amortization date is determined under section 356.216, paragraph (a), clause (2). The amortization date specified in this paragraph supersedes any amortization date specified in any applicable special law. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end 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 amounts anticipated for the following calendar year from the applicable 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), 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 1b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day after the Fairmont City Council and the chief clerical officer of the city of Fairmont timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Amortization state aid.

(a) 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 begin If a municipality loses entitlement for amortization state aid in any year because its local relief association no longer has an unfunded actuarial accrued liability, the municipality is not entitled to amortization state aid in any subsequent year.deleted text end

(b) The total amount of amortization state aid to all entitled municipalities must not exceed $5,055,000.

(c) 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 Minneapolis Police Relief Association and by $772,768 on account of the Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association. If the amortization state aid amounts determined under this paragraph exceed the amount appropriated for this purpose, the amortization state aid for actual allocation must be reduced pro rata.

(d) Payment of amortization state aid to municipalities must be made directly 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 treasurer of the local relief association for immediate deposit in the special fund of the relief association.

(e) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe and periodically revise the form for and content of the application for the amortization state aid.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Reallocation of amortization or supplementary amortization state aid.

(a) Seventy percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid or supplemental amortization aid distributed under subdivisions 1 and 1a that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality for use by a local police or salaried fire relief association must be distributed by the commissioner of revenue according to this paragraph. The commissioner shall distribute deleted text begin 70deleted text end new text begin 50new text end percent of the amounts derived under this paragraph to the Teachers Retirement Associationnew text begin , ten percent to the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association,new text end and deleted text begin 30deleted text end new text begin 40new text end percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association to fund the unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities of the respective funds. These payments shall be made on or before June 30 each fiscal year. The amount required under this paragraph is appropriated annually from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue. If the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association becomes fully funded, its eligibility for 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 and supplementary amortization aid under paragraph (a), Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, must make contributions to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association in accordance with the following schedule:

Fiscal Year Amount
1996 $ 0
1997 $ 0
1998 $ 200,000
1999 $ 400,000
2000 $ 600,000
2001 and thereafter $ 800,000

(c) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, and the city of Minneapolis must each make contributions to the Teachers Retirement Association in accordance with the following schedule:

Fiscal Year City amount School district amount
1996 $ 0 $ 0
1997 $ 0 $ 0
1998 $ 250,000 $ 250,000
1999 $ 400,000 $ 400,000
2000 $ 550,000 $ 550,000
2001 $ 700,000 $ 700,000
2002 $ 850,000 $ 850,000
2003 and thereafter $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000

(d) Money contributed under paragraph (a) and either paragraph (b) or (c), as applicable, must be credited to a separate account in the applicable teachers retirement fund and may not be used in determining any benefit increases. The separate account terminates for a fund when the aid payments to the fund under paragraph (a) cease.

(e) Thirty percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid or supplemental amortization aid under subdivisions 1 and 1a that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality for use by a local police or salaried firefighter relief association 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. The amount required under this paragraph is appropriated annually to the commissioner of revenue.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423C.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Board composition and elections.

The board shall consist of two persons appointed by the city and deleted text begin tendeleted text end new text begin the number of new text end other members new text begin specified in the association bylaws, but not to exceed ten, who must be new text end selected by the members. Elections for active and retired positions on the board shall be conducted pursuant to the association's bylaws.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

ARTICLE 9

VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE LUMP SUM
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT PLAN

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Purposenew text begin ; accounts; continuationnew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end The purpose of the supplemental investment fund is to provide an investment vehicle for the assets of various public retirement plans and funds.

new text begin (b)new text end The fund consists of deleted text begin sevendeleted text end new text begin eight new text end investment accounts: an income share account, a growth share account, an international share account, a money market account, a fixed interest account, a bond market account, deleted text begin anddeleted text end a common stock index accountnew text begin , and a volunteer firefighter accountnew text end .

new text begin (c)new text end The supplemental investment fund is a continuation of the supplemental retirement fund in existence on January 1, 1980.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Assets.

new text begin (a) new text end The assets of the supplemental investment fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end consist of the money certified and transmitted to the state board from the participating public retirement plans and funds deleted text begin ordeleted text end deleted text begin from the board of the Minnesota State Colleges anddeleted text end deleted text begin Universities under section deleted text end new text begin and from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under section 353G.08new text end .

new text begin (b) With the exception of the assets of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund,new text end the assets must be used to purchase investment shares in the investment accounts new text begin as new text end specified by the plan or fund. new text begin The assets of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund must be invested in the volunteer firefighter account.new text end

new text begin (c) new text end These accounts must be valued at least on a monthly basis but may be valued more frequently as determined by the State Board of Investment.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin ,new text end for the purposes of this chapter and chapters 423, 423A, 424 and 424Anew text begin ,new text end 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 with respect to peace officers covered under chapter 422A; 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 a local police relief association to which section 69.77 applies, the State Patrol retirement plan, the public employees police and fire fund, or the Minneapolis Employees Retirement 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 (2) and (3).

(j) "Municipal clerk, municipal clerk-treasurer, or county auditor" means 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. In a park district, the clerk is the secretary of the board of park district commissioners. In the case of the University of Minnesota, the clerk is that official designated by the Board of Regents. For the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the clerk is the person designated by the commission. For the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Public Safety, the clerk is the respective commissioner. For a tribal police department which exercises state arrest powers under section 626.90, 626.91, 626.92, or 626.93, the clerk is the person designated by the applicable American Indian tribal government.

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.011, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Qualification for fire or police state aid.

(a) new text begin Unless retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, new text end 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 association 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.

new text begin (b) Where retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, 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. new text end

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

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end 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.

new text begin (e) new text end Except as provided in subdivision 2b, on or before March 15 annually, 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 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be apportioned. Each full month of employment of a qualifying officer during the calendar year deleted text begin shall entitledeleted text end new text begin entitles new text end 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 deleted text begin shall commencedeleted text end new text begin commences new text end when the peace officer is entered on the payroll of the respective municipal police department or county sheriff's department. No peace officer deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end be included in the certification of the number of peace officers by more than one municipality or county for the same month.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.011, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Qualification for state aid.

Any municipality in this state having for more than one year an organized fire department and officially established by the governing body of the municipality or an independent nonprofit fire fighting corporation created under the nonprofit corporation act of this state and operating exclusively for fire fighting purposes and providing retirement and relief benefits to its members deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end having a separate subsidiary incorporated firefighter's relief and pension association providing retirement and relief benefitsnew text begin , or participating in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan,new text end may qualify to receive state aid if it meets the following minimum requirements or equivalent as determined by the state fire marshal by July 1, 1972:

(a) ten paid or volunteer firefighters including a fire chief and assistant fire chief, and

(b) regular scheduled meetings and frequent drills including instructions in fire fighting tactics and in the use, care, and operation of all fire apparatus and equipment, and

(c) 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, boots, and

(d) apparatus suitably housed in a building of good construction with facilities for care of hose and equipment, and

(e) a reliable and adequate method of receiving fire alarms by telephone or with electric siren and suitable means of sounding an alarm, and

(f) if response is to be provided outside the corporate limits of the municipality wherein the fire department is located, the municipality has another piece of motorized apparatus to make the response, and

(g) other requirements the commissioner establishes by rule.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 association.

(b) The commissioner shall calculate an initial fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (c) and a minimum fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (d). The municipality or fire department must receive 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 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 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end 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 market value of each 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 new text begin or covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end 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. new text begin 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.new text end

(e) new text begin Unless the firefighters of the applicable fire department are members of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan,new text end 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.new text begin 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.new text end

(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 apportionments.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.021, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Appeal.

In the event that deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin a new text end municipality, new text begin a new text end county, new text begin a new text end fire relief association, deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin a new text end police relief associationnew text begin , or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan,new text end 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. The decision of the commissioner is subject to appeal, review, and adjustment by the district court in the county in which the applicable new text begin municipality, new text end fire new text begin department, new text end or police department is located.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner of finance's warrant.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner of finance shall issue to new text begin 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 353G or to new text end the county, municipality, or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation certified to the commissioner of finance 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.

new text begin (b)new text end The amount of state aid due and not paid by October 1 accrues interest at the rate of one percent for each month or part of a month the amount remains unpaid, beginning the preceding July 1.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Deposit of state aid.

(a) new text begin 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, new text end 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 new text begin the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is not covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, if new text end there is no relief association organized, or if the association has dissolveddeleted text begin ,deleted text end or has been removed as trustees of state aid, then the treasurer of the municipality shall deposit the money in the municipal treasury as provided for in section 424A.08 and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner set forth in that section.

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

(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;

(2) 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 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), if applicable; or

(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).

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

(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.

(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 first toward the commission's employer contribution for police officers to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund under section 422A.101, subdivision 2a, and, if there is any amount of police state aid remaining, shall apply that remainder 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 finance for transfer to the funds and accounts from which the salaries of peace officers certified under section 69.011, subdivision 2a, are paid. The commissioner of revenue shall certify to the commissioners of public safety, natural resources, and finance 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 finance 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 deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin shallnew text end 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. 10.

new text begin [353G.01] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, the words or terms defined in this section have the meanings given to them unless the context of the word or term clearly indicates otherwise. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Advisory board. new text end

new text begin "Advisory board" means the board established by section 353G.03. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Board. new text end

new text begin "Board" means the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association operating under section 353.03. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Commissioner of finance. new text end

new text begin "Commissioner of finance" means the state official appointed and qualified under section 16A.01. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Executive director; director. new text end

new text begin "Executive director" or "director" means the person appointed under section 353.03, subdivision 3a. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Fund. new text end

new text begin "Fund" means the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund established under section 353G.02, subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Good time service credit. new text end

new text begin "Good time service credit" means the length of service credit for an active firefighter that is reported by the applicable fire chief based on the minimum firefighter activity standards of the fire department. The credit may be recognized on an annual or monthly basis. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Member. new text end

new text begin "Member" means a volunteer firefighter who provides active service to a municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation where the applicable municipality or corporation has elected coverage by the retirement plan under section 353G.05, and which service is covered by the retirement plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Municipality. new text end

new text begin "Municipality" means a governmental entity specified in section 69.011, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clauses (1), (2), and (5). new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Plan. new text end

new text begin "Plan" means the retirement plan established by this chapter. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Retirement fund. new text end

new text begin "Retirement fund" means the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund established under section 353G.02, subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Retirement plan. new text end

new text begin "Retirement plan" means the retirement plan established by this chapter. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Standards for actuarial work. new text end

new text begin "Standards for actuarial work" means the standards adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement under section 3.85, subdivision 10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin State Board of Investment. new text end

new text begin "State Board of Investment" means the board created by article XI, section 8, of the Minnesota Constitution and governed by chapter 11A. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Volunteer firefighter. new text end

new text begin "Volunteer firefighter" means a person who is an active member of a municipal fire department or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and who, in that capacity, engages in fire suppression activities, provides emergency response services, or delivers fire education or prevention services on an on-call basis. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [353G.02] PLAN AND FUND CREATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Retirement plan. new text end

new text begin The voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is created. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The policy-making, management, and administrative functions related to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan and fund are vested in the board of trustees and the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association. Their duties, authority, and responsibilities are as provided in section 353.03. Fiduciary activities of the plan and fund must be undertaken in a manner consistent with chapter 356A. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Retirement fund. new text end

new text begin (a) The voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund is created. The fund contains the assets attributable to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan. new text end

new text begin (b) The State Board of Investment shall invest those portions of the retirement fund not required for immediate purposes in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan in the statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter account of the Minnesota supplemental investment fund under section 11A.17. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of finance is the ex officio treasurer of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund. The commissioner of finance's general bond to the state covers all liability for actions taken as the treasurer of the retirement fund. new text end

new text begin (d) The revenues of the retirement plan beyond investment returns are governed by section 353G.08 and must be deposited in the retirement fund. The disbursements of the retirement plan are governed by section 353G.08. The commissioner of finance shall transmit a detailed statement showing all credits to and disbursements from the retirement fund to the executive director monthly. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Audit; actuarial valuation. new text end

new text begin (a) The legislative auditor shall periodically audit the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund. new text end

new text begin (b) An actuarial valuation of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan may be performed periodically as determined to be appropriate or useful by the board. An actuarial valuation must be performed by the approved actuary retained under section 356.214 and must conform with section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work. An actuarial valuation must contain sufficient detail for each participating employing entity to ascertain the actuarial condition of its account in the fund and the contribution requirement towards its account. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Legal advisor; attorney general. new text end

new text begin (a) The legal advisor of the board and the executive director with respect to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is the attorney general. new text end

new text begin (b) The board may sue, petition, be sued, or be petitioned under this chapter with respect to the plan or the fund in the name of the board. new text end

new text begin (c) The attorney general shall represent the board in all actions by the board or against the board with respect to the plan or the fund. new text end

new text begin (d) Venue of all actions related to the plan or fund is in the court for the first judicial district unless the action is an appeal to the Court of Appeals under section 356.96. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [353G.03] VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE LUMP-SUM VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT PLAN ADVISORY BOARD. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A Voluntary Statewide Lump-Sum Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan Advisory Board is created. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Function; purpose. new text end

new text begin The advisory board shall provide advice to the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association about the retirement coverage needs of volunteer firefighters who are members of the plan and about the legislative and administrative changes that would assist the retirement plan in accommodating volunteer firefighters who are not members of the plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Composition. new text end

new text begin (a) The advisory board consists of seven members. new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory board members are: new text end

new text begin (1) one representative of Minnesota townships, appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships; new text end

new text begin (2) two representatives of Minnesota cities, appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities; new text end

new text begin (3) one representative of Minnesota fire chiefs, who is a fire chief, appointed by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association; new text end

new text begin (4) two representatives of Minnesota volunteer firefighters, who are active volunteer firefighters, appointed by the Minnesota State Fire Departments Association; and new text end

new text begin (5) one representative of the Office of the State Auditor, designated by the state auditor. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Term. new text end

new text begin (a) The initial terms on the advisory board for the Minnesota townships representative and the Minnesota fire chiefs representative are one year. The initial terms on the advisory board for one of the Minnesota cities representatives and one of the Minnesota active volunteer firefighter representatives are two years. The initial terms on the advisory board for the other Minnesota cities representative and the other Minnesota active volunteer firefighter representative are three years. The term for the Office of the State Auditor representative is determined by the state auditor. new text end

new text begin (b) Subsequent terms on the advisory board other than the Office of the State Auditor representative are three years. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Compensation of advisory board. new text end

new text begin The compensation of members of the advisory board other than the Office of the State Auditor representative is governed by section 15.0575, subdivision 3. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin [353G.04] INFORMATION FROM MUNICIPALITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. new text end

new text begin The chief executive officers of municipalities and fire departments with volunteer firefighters covered by the voluntary lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan shall provide all relevant information and records requested by the board, the executive director, and the State Board of Investment as required to perform their duties. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin [353G.05] PLAN COVERAGE ELECTION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Coverage. new text end

new text begin Any municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation may elect to have its volunteer firefighters covered by the retirement plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Election of coverage. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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 there is one, 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. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (f) Upon receipt of the cost analysis, the governing body of the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation associated with the fire department shall approve or disapprove the retirement coverage change within 90 days. If the retirement coverage change is not acted upon within 90 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 end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [353G.06] DISESTABLISHMENT OF PRIOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION SPECIAL FUND UPON RETIREMENT COVERAGE CHANGE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Special fund disestablishment. new text end

new text begin (a) On the date immediately prior to the effective date of the coverage change, the special fund of the applicable volunteer firefighters' relief association, if one exists, ceases to exist as a pension fund of the association and legal title to the assets of the special fund transfers to the State Board of Investment, with the beneficial title to the assets of the special fund remaining in the applicable volunteer firefighters. new text end

new text begin (b) If the market value of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association for which retirement coverage changed under this chapter declines in the interval between the date of the most recent financial report or statement, and the special fund disestablishment date, the applicable municipality shall transfer an additional amount to the State Board of Investment equal to that decline. If more than one municipality is responsible for the direct management of the fire department, the municipalities shall allocate the additional transfer amount among the various applicable municipalities one-half in proportion to the population of each municipality and one-half in proportion to the market value of each municipality. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Other relief association changes. new text end

new text begin In addition to the transfer and disestablishment of the special fund under subdivision 1, notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 424A or 424B to the contrary, upon the effective date of the change in volunteer firefighter retirement coverage, if the relief association membership elects to retain the relief association after the benefit coverage election, the following changes must be implemented with respect to the applicable volunteer firefighters' relief association: new text end

new text begin (1) the relief association board of trustees membership is reduced to five, comprised of the fire chief of the fire department and four trustees elected by and from the relief association membership; new text end

new text begin (2) the relief association may only maintain a general fund, which continues to be governed by section 424A.06; new text end

new text begin (3) the relief association is not authorized to receive the proceeds of any state aid or to receive any municipal funds; and new text end

new text begin (4) the relief association may not pay any service pension or benefit that was not authorized as a general fund disbursement under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association in effect prior to the plan coverage election process. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Successor in interest. new text end

new text begin Upon the disestablishment of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association under this section, the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is the successor in interest of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association for all claims against the special fund other than a claim against the special fund, the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the municipality, the fire department, or any person connected with the volunteer firefighters' relief association in a fiduciary capacity under chapter 356A or common law that was based on any act or acts which were not performed in good faith and which constituted a breach of a fiduciary obligation. As the successor in interest of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan may assert any applicable defense in any judicial proceeding which the board of trustees of the volunteer firefighters' relief association or the municipality would have been entitled to assert. new text end

Sec. 16.

new text begin [353G.07] CERTIFICATION OF GOOD TIME SERVICE CREDIT. new text end

new text begin (a) Annually, by March 31, the fire chief of the fire department with firefighters who are active members of the retirement plan shall certify to the executive director the good time service credit for the previous calendar year of each firefighter rendering active service with the fire department. new text end

new text begin (b) The fire chief shall provide to each firefighter rendering active service with the fire department notification of the amount of good time service credit rendered by the firefighter for the calendar year. The good time service credit notification must be provided to the firefighter 60 days before its certification to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, along with an indication of the process for the firefighter to challenge the fire chief's determination of good time service credit. If the good time service credit amount is challenged in a timely fashion, the fire chief shall hold a hearing on the challenge, accept and consider any additional pertinent information, and make a final determination of good time service credit. The final determination of good time service credit by the fire chief is not reviewable by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association or by the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association. new text end

new text begin (c) The good time service credit certification is an official public document. If a false good time service credit certification is filed or if false information regarding good time service credits is provided, section 353.19 applies. new text end

new text begin (d) The good time service credit certification must be expressed as a percentage of a full year of service during which an active firefighter rendered at least the minimum level and quantity of fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, or fire education duties required by the fire department under the rules and regulations applicable to the fire department. No more than one year of good time service credit may be certified for a calendar year. new text end

new text begin (e) If a firefighter covered by the retirement plan leaves active firefighting service to render active military service that is required to be covered by the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, the person must be certified as providing a full year of good time service credit in each year of the military service, up to the applicable limit of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. If the firefighter does not return from the military service in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the good time service credits applicable to that military service credit period are forfeited and cancel at the end of the calendar year in which the federal law time limit occurs. new text end

Sec. 17.

new text begin [353G.08] RETIREMENT PLAN FUNDING; DISBURSEMENTS. new text end

new text begin (a) Annually, the executive director shall determine the funding requirements of each account in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan on or before August 1. The funding requirements as directed under this section, must be determined using a mathematical procedure developed and certified as accurate by an approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association and based on present value factors using a six percent interest rate, without any decrement assumptions. The funding requirements must be certified to the entity or entities associated with the fire department whose active firefighters are covered by the retirement plan. new text end

new text begin (b) The overall funding balance of each account for the current calendar year must be determined in the following manner: new text end

new text begin (1) The total accrued liability for all active and deferred members of the account as of December 31 of the current year must be calculated based on the good time service credit of active and deferred members as of that date. new text end

new text begin (2) The total present assets of the account projected to December 31 of the current year, including receipts by and disbursements from the account anticipated to occur on or before December 31, must be calculated. To the extent possible, the market value of assets must be utilized in making this calculation. new text end

new text begin (3) The amount of the total present assets calculated under clause (2) must be subtracted from the amount of the total accrued liability calculated under clause (1). If the amount of total present assets exceeds the amount of the total accrued liability, then the account is considered to have a surplus over full funding. If the amount of the total present assets is less than the amount of the total accrued liability, then the account is considered to have a deficit from full funding. If the amount of total present assets is equal to the amount of the total accrued liability, then the special fund is considered to be fully funded. new text end

new text begin (c) The financial requirements of each account for the following calendar year must be determined in the following manner: new text end

new text begin (1) The total accrued liability for all active and deferred members of the account as of December 31 of the calendar year next following the current calendar year must be calculated based on the good time service used in the calculation under paragraph (b), clause (1), increased by one year. new text end

new text begin (2) The increase in the total accrued liability of the account for the following calendar year over the total accrued liability of the account for the current year must be calculated. new text end

new text begin (3) The amount of anticipated future administrative expenses of the account must be calculated by multiplying the dollar amount of the administrative expenses for the most recent prior calendar year by the factor of 1.035. new text end

new text begin (4) If the account is fully funded, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (2) and (3). new text end

new text begin (5) If the account has a deficit from full funding, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (2) and (3) plus an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of the deficit from full funding of the account. new text end

new text begin (6) If the account has a surplus over full funding, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the financial requirement of the account calculated as though the account was fully funded under clause (4) and, if the account has also had a surplus over full funding during the prior two years, additionally reduced by an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of the surplus over full funding of the account. new text end

new text begin (d) The required contribution of the entity or entities associated with the fire department whose active firefighters are covered by the retirement plan is the annual financial requirements of the account of the retirement plan under paragraph (c) reduced by the amount of any fire state aid payable under sections 69.011 to 69.051 reasonably anticipated to be received by the retirement plan attributable to the entity or entities during the following calendar year, and an amount of interest on the assets projected to be received during the following calendar year calculated at the rate of six percent per annum. The required contribution must be allocated between the entities if more than one entity is involved. A reasonable amount of anticipated fire state aid is an amount that does not exceed the fire state aid actually received in the prior year multiplied by the factor 1.035. new text end

new text begin (e) The required contribution calculated in paragraph (d) must be paid to the retirement plan on or before December 31 of the year for which it was calculated. If the contribution is not received by the retirement plan by December 31, it is payable with interest at an annual compound rate of six percent from the date due until the date payment is received by the retirement plan. If the entity does not pay the full amount of the required contribution, the executive director shall collect the unpaid amount under section 353.28, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (f) The assets of the retirement fund may only be disbursed for: new text end

new text begin (1) the administrative expenses of the retirement plan; new text end

new text begin (2) the investment expenses of the retirement fund; new text end

new text begin (3) the service pensions payable under section 353G.10, 353G.11, 353G.14, or 353G.15; and new text end

new text begin (4) the survivor benefits payable under section 353G.12. new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [353G.09] RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Entitlement. new text end

new text begin Except as provided in subdivision 3, an active member of the retirement plan is entitled to a lump-sum service pension from the retirement plan if the person: new text end

new text begin (1) has separated from active service with the fire department for at least 30 days; new text end

new text begin (2) has attained the age of at least 50 years; new text end

new text begin (3) has completed at least five years of good time service credit as a member of the retirement plan; and new text end

new text begin (4) applies in a manner prescribed by the executive director for the service pension. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Vesting schedule; nonforfeitable portion of service pension. new text end

new text begin If an active member has completed less than 20 years of good time service credit, the person's entitlement is to the nonforfeitable percentage of the applicable service pension amount, as follows: new text end

new text begin Completed years of good time service credit new text end new text begin Nonforfeitable percentage of the service pension new text end
new text begin 5 new text end new text begin 40 percent new text end
new text begin 6 new text end new text begin 44 percent new text end
new text begin 7 new text end new text begin 48 percent new text end
new text begin 8 new text end new text begin 52 percent new text end
new text begin 9 new text end new text begin 56 percent new text end
new text begin 10 new text end new text begin 60 percent new text end
new text begin 11 new text end new text begin 64 percent new text end
new text begin 12 new text end new text begin 68 percent new text end
new text begin 13 new text end new text begin 72 percent new text end
new text begin 14 new text end new text begin 76 percent new text end
new text begin 15 new text end new text begin 80 percent new text end
new text begin 16 new text end new text begin 84 percent new text end
new text begin 17 new text end new text begin 88 percent new text end
new text begin 18 new text end new text begin 92 percent new text end
new text begin 19 new text end new text begin 96 percent new text end
new text begin 20 and thereafter new text end new text begin 100 percent new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Alternative pension eligibility and computation. new text end

new text begin (a) An active member of the retirement plan is entitled to an alternative lump-sum service pension from the retirement plan if the person: new text end

new text begin (1) has separated from active service with the fire department for at least 30 days; new text end

new text begin (2) has attained the age of at least 50 years or the age for receipt of a service pension under the benefit plan of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association as of the date immediately prior to the election of the retirement coverage change, whichever is later; new text end

new text begin (3) has completed at least five years of active service with the fire department and at least five years in total as a member of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association or of the retirement plan, but has not rendered at least five years of good time service credit as a member of the retirement plan; and new text end

new text begin (4) applies in a manner prescribed by the executive director for the service pension. new text end

new text begin (b) The alternative lump-sum service pension is the service pension amount specified in the bylaws of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association either as of the date immediately prior to the election of the retirement coverage change or as of the date immediately before the termination of firefighting services, whichever is earlier, multiplied by the total number of years of service as a member of that volunteer firefighters' relief association and as a member of the retirement plan. new text end

Sec. 19.

new text begin [353G.10] DEFERRED SERVICE PENSION AMOUNT. new text end

new text begin A person who was an active member of a fire department covered by the retirement plan who has separated from active firefighting service for at least 30 days and who has completed at least five years of good time service credit, but has not attained the age of 50 years, is entitled to a deferred service pension on or after attaining the age of 50 years and applying in a manner specified by the executive director for the service pension. The service pension payable is the nonforfeitable percentage of the service pension under section 353G.09, subdivision 2, and is payable without any interest over the period of deferral. new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin [353G.11] SERVICE PENSION LEVELS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Levels. new text end

new text begin The retirement plan provides the following levels of service pension amounts to be selected at the election of coverage, or, if fully funded, thereafter: new text end

new text begin Level A new text end new text begin $500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level B new text end new text begin $750 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level C new text end new text begin $1,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level D new text end new text begin $1,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level E new text end new text begin $2,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level F new text end new text begin $2,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level G new text end new text begin $3,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level H new text end new text begin $3,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level I new text end new text begin $4,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level J new text end new text begin $4,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level K new text end new text begin $5,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level L new text end new text begin $5,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level M new text end new text begin $6,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level N new text end new text begin $6,500 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level O new text end new text begin $7,000 per year of good time service credit new text end
new text begin Level P new text end new text begin $7,500 per year of good time service credit new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Level selection. new text end

new text begin At the time of the election to transfer retirement coverage, or on April 30 thereafter, the governing body or bodies of the entity or entities operating the fire department whose firefighters are covered by the retirement plan may request a cost estimate from the executive director of an increase in the service pension level applicable to the active firefighters of the fire department. Within 90 days of the receipt of the cost estimate prepared by the executive director using a procedure certified as accurate by the approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association, the governing body or bodies may approve the service pension level change, effective for the following calendar year. If not approved in a timely fashion, the service pension level change is considered to have been disapproved. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Supplemental benefit. new text end

new text begin The retirement plan also shall pay a supplemental benefit as provided for in section 424A.10. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Ancillary benefits. new text end

new text begin No disability, death, funeral, or other ancillary benefit beyond a service pension or a survivor benefit is payable from the retirement plan. new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin [353G.12] SURVIVOR BENEFIT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Entitlement. new text end

new text begin (a) A survivor of a deceased active member of the retirement plan or a deceased deferred member of the retirement plan, upon application as prescribed by the executive director, is entitled to receive a survivor benefit. new text end

new text begin (b) A survivor is the spouse of the member, or if none, the minor child or children of the member, or if none, the estate of the member. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Survivor benefit amount. new text end

new text begin The amount of the survivor benefit is the amount of the service pension that would have been payable to the member of the retirement plan on the date of death if the member had been age 50 or older on that date. new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin [353G.13] PORTABILITY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin An active firefighter who is a member of the retirement plan who also renders firefighting service and has good time service credit in the retirement plan from another fire department, if the good time service credit in the plan from a combination of periods totals at least five years, is eligible, upon complying with the other requirements of section 353G.09, to receive a service pension upon filing an application in the manner prescribed by the executive director, computed as provided in subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Combined service pension computation. new text end

new text begin The service pension payable to a firefighter who qualifies under subdivision 1 is the per year of good time service credit service pension amount in effect for each account in which the firefighter has good time service credit as of the date on which the firefighter terminated active service with the fire department associated with the applicable account, multiplied by the number of years of good time service credit that the firefighter has in the applicable account. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Payment. new text end

new text begin A service pension under this section must be paid in a single payment, with the applicable portion of the total service pension payment amount deducted from each account. new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin [353G.14] PURCHASE OF ANNUITY CONTRACTS. new text end

new text begin The executive director may purchase an annuity contract on behalf of a retiring firefighter with a total premium payment in an amount equal to the lump-sum service pension payable under section 353G.09 if the purchase was requested by the retiring firefighter in a manner prescribed by the executive director. The annuity contract must be purchased from an insurance carrier that is licensed to do business in this state. If purchased, the annuity contract is in lieu of any service pension or other benefit from the retirement plan. The annuity contract may be purchased at any time after the volunteer firefighter discontinues active service, but the annuity contract must stipulate that no annuity amounts are payable before the former volunteer firefighter attains the age of 50. new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin [353G.15] INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT TRANSFER. new text end

new text begin Upon receipt of a determination that the retirement plan is a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, the executive director, upon request, shall transfer the service pension amount under sections 353G.08 and 353G.11 of a former volunteer firefighter who has terminated active firefighting services covered by the plan and who has attained the age of at least 50 years to the person's individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The transfer request must be in a manner prescribed by the executive director and must be filed by the former volunteer firefighter who has sufficient service credit to be entitled to a service pension or, following the death of a participating active firefighter, must be filed by the deceased firefighter's surviving spouse. new text end

Sec. 25.

new text begin [353G.16] EXEMPTION FROM PROCESS. new text end

new text begin The provisions of section 356.401 apply to the retirement plan. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund;

(8) the University of Minnesota faculty retirement plan;

(9) the University of Minnesota faculty supplemental retirement plan;

(10) the judges retirement fund;

(11) a police or firefighter's relief association specified or described in section 69.77, subdivision 1a;

(12) a volunteer firefighter relief association governed by section 69.771, subdivision 1;

(13) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(14) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(15) the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Associationnew text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (16) the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plannew text end .

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 3A;

(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;

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

(6) the unclassified state employees retirement program, established by chapter 352D;

(7) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353;

(8) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353;

(9) the public employees defined contribution plan, established by chapter 353D;

(10) the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353E;

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

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

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

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

(14) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;

(15) the individual retirement account plan, established by chapter 354B;

(16) the higher education supplemental retirement plan, established by chapter 354C;

(17) the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, established by chapter 422A;

(18) the Minneapolis Police Relief Association, established by chapter 423B;

(19) the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association, established by chapter 423C; and

(20) the judges retirement fund, established by chapter 490.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.96, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, for the purpose of this section, the terms in paragraphs (b) to (e) have the meanings given them.

(b) "Chief administrative officer" means the executive director of a covered pension plan or the executive director's designee or representative.

(c) "Covered pension plan" means a plan enumerated in section 356.20, subdivision 2, clauses (1) to (4), (10), and (13) to deleted text begin (15)deleted text end new text begin (16)new text end , but does not mean the deferred compensation plan administered under sections 352.965 and 352.97 or to the postretirement health care savings plan administered under section 352.98.

(d) "Governing board" means the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the Board of Trustees of the Teachers Retirement Association, or the Board of Directors of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

(e) "Person" includes an active, retired, deferred, or nonvested inactive participant in a covered pension plan or a beneficiary of a participant, or an individual who has applied to be a participant or who is or may be a survivor of a participant, or a state agency or other governmental unit that employs active participants in a covered pension plan.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 firefighters' relief association new text begin or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end for service that the individual has performed as a volunteer firefighter;

(2) "survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter" means the legally married spouse of a deceased volunteer firefighter, or, if none, the surviving minor child or minor children of a deceased 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 has been a fully qualified member of the relief association new text begin or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end 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 new text begin or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end to be entitled to a service pension, but has not applied for or has not received the service pension.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Payment of supplemental benefit.

(a) Upon the payment by a firefighters' relief association new text begin or by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan new text end 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 fundnew text begin 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 plannew text end . The amount of this benefit equals 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 new text begin or the retirement plan new text end of a lump-sum survivor benefit deleted text begin or funeral benefitdeleted text end to a survivor of a deceased active volunteer firefighter or of a deceased deferred volunteer firefighter, the association may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the special fund of the relief association if its articles of incorporation or bylaws so providenew text begin and the retirement plan may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the retirement fund if chapter 353G so providesnew text end . The amount of the supplemental survivor benefit is 20 percent of the survivor benefit deleted text begin or funeral benefitdeleted text end , 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.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

State reimbursement.

(a) Each year, to be eligible for state reimbursement of the amount of supplemental benefits paid under subdivision 2 during the preceding calendar year, the relief association deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan shallnew text end apply to the commissioner of revenue by February 15. By March 15, the commissioner shall reimburse the relief association for the amount of the supplemental benefits paid to qualified recipients and to survivors of deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighters.

(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of and supporting information that must be supplied as part of the application for state reimbursement. The commissioner of revenue shall reimburse the relief association by paying the reimbursement amount to the treasurer of the municipality where the association is locatednew text begin and shall reimburse the retirement plan by paying the reimbursement amount to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Associationnew text end . Within 30 days after receipt, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the state reimbursement to the treasurer of the association if 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 reimbursement payment to the association until the complete financial report is filed. If the association has dissolved or has been removed as a trustee of state aid, the treasurer shall deposit the money in a special account in the municipal treasury, and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner provided in section 424A.08. When paid to the association, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the special fund of the relief associationnew text begin and when paid to the retirement plan, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the retirement fund of the plannew text end .

(c) A sum sufficient to make the payments is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue.

Sec. 32.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 31 are effective August 1, 2009. new text end

ARTICLE 10

VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION CHANGES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Deposit of state aid.

(a) 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 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 deleted text begin as provided for in section 424A.08deleted text end and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner set forth in deleted text begin thatdeleted text end sectionnew text begin 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 3new text end .

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

(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;

(2) 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 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), if applicable; or

(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).

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

(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.

(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 first toward the commission's employer contribution for police officers to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund under section 422A.101, subdivision 2a, and, if there is any amount of police state aid remaining, shall apply that remainder 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 finance for transfer to the funds and accounts from which the salaries of peace officers certified under section 69.011, subdivision 2a, are paid. The commissioner of revenue shall certify to the commissioners of public safety, natural resources, and finance 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 finance 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 deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin shallnew text end 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.771, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Remedy for noncompliance; determination.

(a) A municipality in which there exists a firefighters' relief association as specified in subdivision 1 which does not comply with the applicable provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 or the provisions of any applicable special law relating to the funding or financing of the association does not qualify initially to receive, and is not entitled subsequently to retain, fire state aid under sections 69.011 to 69.051 until the reason for the disqualification specified by the state auditor is remedied, whereupon the municipality or relief association, if otherwise qualified, is entitled to again receive fire state aid for the year occurring immediately subsequent to the year in which the disqualification is remedied.

(b) The state auditor shall determine if a municipality to which a firefighters' relief association is directly associated or a firefighters' relief association fails to comply with the provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 or the funding or financing provisions of any applicable special law based upon the information contained in the annual financial report of the firefighters' relief association required under section 69.051, the actuarial valuation of the relief association, if applicable, the relief association officers' financial requirements of the relief association and minimum municipal obligation determination documentation under section 69.772, subdivisions 3 and 4; 69.773, subdivisions 4 and 5; or 69.774, subdivision 2, if requested to be filed by the state auditor, the applicable municipal or nonprofit firefighting corporation budget, if requested to be filed by the state auditor, and any other relevant documents or reports obtained by the state auditor.

(c) The municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation and the associated relief association are not eligible to receive or to retain fire state aid if:

(1) the relief association fails to prepare or to file the financial report or financial statement under section 69.051;

(2) the relief association treasurer is not bonded in the manner and in the amount required by section 69.051, subdivision 2;

(3) the relief association officers fail to determine or improperly determine the accrued liability and the annual accruing liability of the relief association under section 69.772, subdivisions 2, 2a, and 3, paragraph (c), clause (2), if applicable;

(4) if applicable, the relief association officers fail to obtain and file a required actuarial valuation or the officers file an actuarial valuation that does not contain the special fund actuarial liability calculated under the entry age normal actuarial cost method, the special fund current assets, the special fund unfunded actuarial accrued liability, the special fund normal cost under the entry age normal actuarial cost method, the amortization requirement for the special fund unfunded actuarial accrued liability by the applicable target date, a summary of the applicable benefit plan, a summary of the membership of the relief association, a summary of the actuarial assumptions used in preparing the valuation, and a signed statement by the actuary attesting to its results and certifying to the qualifications of the actuary as an approved actuary under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c);

(5) the municipality failed to provide a municipal contribution, or the nonprofit firefighting corporation failed to provide a corporate contribution, in the amount equal to the minimum municipal obligation if the relief association is governed under section 69.772, or the amount necessary, when added to the fire state aid actually received in the plan year in question, to at least equal in total the calculated annual financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association if the relief association is governed under section 69.773, and, if the municipal or corporate contribution is deficient, the municipality failed to include the minimum municipal obligation certified under section 69.772, subdivision 3, or 69.773, subdivision 5, in its budget and tax levy or the nonprofit firefighting corporation failed to include the minimum corporate obligation certified under section 69.774, subdivision 2, in the corporate budget;

(6) the new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association did not receive municipal ratification for the most recent plan amendment when municipal ratification was required under section 69.772, subdivision 6; 69.773, subdivision 6; or 424A.02, subdivision 10;

(7) the relief association invested special fund assets in an investment security that is not authorized under section 69.775;

(8) the relief association had an administrative expense that is not authorized under section 69.80 or 424A.05, subdivision 3, or the municipality had an expenditure that is not authorized under section 424A.08;

(9) the relief association officers fail to provide a complete and accurate public pension plan investment portfolio and performance disclosure under section 356.219;

(10) the relief association fails to obtain the acknowledgment from a broker of the statement of investment restrictions under section 356A.06, subdivision 8b;

(11) the relief association officers permitted to occur a prohibited transaction under section 356A.06, subdivision 9, or deleted text begin 424A.001deleted text end new text begin 424A.04new text end , subdivision deleted text begin 7deleted text end new text begin 2anew text end , or failed to undertake correction of a prohibited transaction that did occur; or

(12) the relief association pays a defined benefit service pension in an amount that is in excess of the applicable service pension maximum under section 424A.02, subdivision 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.772, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Certification of financial requirements and minimum municipal obligation; levy.

(a) The officers of the relief association shall certify the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association and the minimum obligation of the municipality with respect to the special fund of the relief association as determined under subdivision 3 to the governing body of the municipality on or before August 1 of each year. The financial requirements of the relief association and the minimum municipal obligation must be included in the financial report or financial statement under section 69.051.new text begin The schedule forms related to the determination of the financial requirements must be filed with the state auditor by March 31, annually, if the relief association is required to file a financial statement under section 69.051, subdivision 1a, or by June 30, annually, if the relief association is required to file a financial report and audit under section 69.051, subdivision 1.new text end

(b) The municipality shall provide for at least the minimum obligation of the municipality with respect to the special fund of the relief association by tax levy or from any other source of public revenue.

(c) The municipality may levy taxes for the payment of the minimum municipal obligation without any limitation as to rate or amount and irrespective of any limitations imposed by other provisions of law upon the rate or amount of taxation until the balance of the special fund or any fund of the relief association has attained a specified level. In addition, any taxes levied under this section must not cause the amount or rate of any other taxes levied in that year or to be levied in a subsequent year by the municipality which are subject to a limitation as to rate or amount to be reduced.

(d) If the municipality does not include the full amount of the minimum municipal obligations in its levy for any year, the officers of the relief association shall certify that amount to the county auditor, who shall spread a levy in the amount of the certified minimum municipal obligation on the taxable property of the municipality.

(e) If the state auditor determines that a municipal contribution actually made in a plan year was insufficient under section 69.771, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (5), the state auditor may request a copy of the certifications under this subdivision from the relief association or from the city. The relief association or the city, whichever applies, must provide the certifications within 14 days of the date of the request from the state auditor.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.772, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Municipal ratification for plan amendments.

If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), or if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the adoption of or any amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a relief association which increases or otherwise affects the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of any relief association to which this section applies deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin isnew text end not deleted text begin bedeleted text end effective until it is ratified by the governing body of the municipality in which the relief association is located and the officers of a relief association shall not seek municipal ratification prior to preparing and certifying an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the amendment. If the special fund of the relief association has a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), and if the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the relief association may adopt or amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of the relief association which deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin arenew text end effective without municipal ratification so long as this does not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the deleted text begin priordeleted text end surplus over full funding new text begin reported in the prior year new text end and this does not result in the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association exceeding the expected amount of the future fire state aid to be received by the relief association as determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the change. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification pursuant to this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin isnew text end no longer deleted text begin bedeleted text end effective without municipal ratification and any service pensions or retirement benefits payable after that date deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin maynew text end be paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.773, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Municipal ratification for plan amendments.

If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 4, or if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the adoption of or any amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a relief association which increases or otherwise affects the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of any relief association to which this section applies deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin isnew text end not deleted text begin bedeleted text end effective until it is ratified by the governing body of the municipality in which the relief association is located. If the special fund of the relief association has a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 4, and if the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the relief association may adopt or amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of the relief association which deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin arenew text end effective without municipal ratification so long as this does not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the deleted text begin priordeleted text end surplus over full funding new text begin reported in the prior year new text end and this does not result in the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association exceeding the expected amount of the future fire state aid to be received by the relief association as determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an updated actuarial valuation including the proposed change or an estimate of the expected actuarial impact of the proposed change prepared by the actuary of the relief association. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification pursuant to this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin isnew text end no longer deleted text begin bedeleted text end effective without municipal ratification and any service pensions or retirement benefits payable after that date deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin maynew text end paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.219, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Content of reports.

(a) The report required by subdivision 1 must include a written statement of the investment policy. Following that initial report, subsequent reports must include investment policy changes and the effective date of each policy change rather than a complete statement of investment policy, unless the state auditor requests submission of a complete current statement. The report must also include the information required by the following paragraphs, as applicable.

(b) If, after four years of reporting under this paragraph, the total portfolio time weighted rate of return, net of all investment related costs and fees, provided by the public pension plan differs by no more than 0.1 percent from the comparable return for the plan calculated by the Office of the State Auditor, and if a public pension plan has a total market value of $25,000,000 or more as of the beginning of the calendar year, and if the public pension plan's annual audit is performed by the state auditor or by the legislative auditor, the report required by subdivision 1 must include the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each asset class included in the pension fund as of the beginning of the calendar year and as of the end of the calendar year. At the discretion of the state auditor, the public pension plan may be required to submit the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class included in the pension fund for each month, and the amount and date of each injection and withdrawal to the total portfolio and to each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class. If the market value of a public pension plan's fund drops below $25,000,000 in a subsequent year, it must continue reporting under this paragraph for any subsequent year in which the public pension plan is not fully invested as specified in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), except that if the public pension plan's annual audit is not performed by the state auditor or legislative auditor, paragraph (c) applies.

(c) If paragraph (b) would apply if the annual audit were provided by the state auditor or legislative auditor, the report required by subdivision 1 must include the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each asset class included in the pension fund as of the beginning of the calendar year and for each month, and the amount and date of each injection and withdrawal to the total portfolio and to each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class.

(d) For public pension plans to which paragraph (b) or (c) applies, the report required by subdivision 1 must also include a calculation of the total time-weighted rate of return available from index-matching investments assuming the asset class performance targets and target asset mix indicated in the written statement of investment policy. The provided information must include a description of indices used in the analyses and an explanation of why those indices are appropriate. This paragraph does not apply to any fully invested plan, as defined by subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Reporting by the State Board of Investment under this paragraph is limited to information on the Minnesota public pension plans required to be invested by the State Board of Investment under section 11A.23.

(e) If a public pension plan has a total market value of less than $25,000,000 as of the beginning of the calendar year and was never required to file under paragraph (b) or (c), the report required by subdivision 1 must include the amount and date of each total portfolio injection and withdrawal. In addition, the report must include the market value of the total portfolio as of the beginning of the calendar year and for each quarter.

(f) Any public pension plan reporting under paragraph (b) or (c) must include computed time-weighted rates of return with the report, in addition to all other required information, as applicable. The chief administrative officer of the public pension plan submitting the returns must certify, on a form prescribed by the state auditor, that the returns have been computed by the pension plan's investment performance consultant or custodial bank. The chief administrative officer of the public pension plan submitting the returns also must certify that the returns are net of all costs and fees, including investment management fees, and that the procedures used to compute the returns are consistent with Bank Administration Institute studies of investment performance measurement and presentation standards set by the deleted text begin Certified Financial Analystdeleted text end new text begin CFA new text end Institute. If the certifications required under this paragraph are not provided, the reporting requirements of paragraph (c) apply.

(g) For public pension plans reporting under paragraph (e), the public pension plan must retain supporting information specifying the date and amount of each injection and withdrawal to each investment account and investment portfolio. The public pension plan must also retain the market value of each investment account and investment portfolio at the beginning of the calendar year and for each quarter. Information that is required to be collected and retained for any given year or years under this paragraph must be submitted to the Office of the State Auditor if the Office of the State Auditor requests in writing that the information be submitted by a public pension plan or plans, or be submitted by the State Board of Investment for any plan or plans for which the State Board of Investment is the investment authority under this section. If the state auditor requests information under this subdivision, and the public plan fails to comply, the pension plan is subject to penalties under subdivision 5, unless penalties are waived by the state auditor under that subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [420.20] PROHIBITION OF SERVICE BY MINORS AS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. new text end

new text begin It is unlawful for any municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation to employ a minor to serve as a firefighter or to permit a minor to serve in any capacity performing any firefighting duties with a fire department, except for members of a youth, civic, or educational organization or program who participate with uninterrupted adult supervision, as allowed by federal law and by section 181A.04. Such organizations or programs include, but are not limited to, Boy Scout Explorer programs or firefighting degree programs. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Terms defined.

new text begin Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, new text end as used in this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Ancillary benefit.

"Ancillary benefit" means a benefit new text begin payable from the special fund of the relief association new text end other than a service pension that is permitted by law and that is provided for in the relief association bylaws.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Defined benefit relief association. new text end

new text begin "Defined benefit relief association" means a volunteer firefighters' relief association that provides a lump-sum service pension, provides a monthly benefit service pension, or provides a lump-sum service pension as an alternative to the monthly benefit service pension. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1c. new text end

new text begin Defined contribution relief association. new text end

new text begin "Defined contribution relief association" means a volunteer firefighters' relief association that provides a service pension based solely on an individual account balance rather than a specified annual lump-sum or monthly benefit service pension amount. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Fire department.

"Fire department" includes new text begin a new text end municipal fire department deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin or an new text end independent nonprofit firefighting corporation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Municipality.

"Municipality" means a municipality which has new text begin established new text end a fire department with which the relief association is directly associated, or the municipalities which new text begin have entered into a new text end contract with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation of which the relief association is a subsidiary.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Relief association.

"Relief association" meansdeleted text begin (a)deleted text end

new text begin (1) new text end a volunteer firefighters' relief association or new text begin a new text end volunteer firefighters' division or account of a partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association new text begin that is new text end organized and incorporated under chapter 317A and any laws of the state, new text begin is new text end governed by this chapter and chapter 69, and new text begin is new text end directly associated with a fire department established by municipal ordinance; or

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end any deleted text begin separatedeleted text end new text begin separately new text end incorporated volunteer firefighters' relief association new text begin that is new text end subsidiary to and deleted text begin providingdeleted text end new text begin that provides new text end service pension and retirement benefit coverage for members of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation new text begin that is new text end organized under the provisions of chapter 317A, new text begin is new text end governed by this chapter, and deleted text begin operatingdeleted text end new text begin operates new text end exclusively for firefighting purposes. A 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Special fund.

"Special fund" means new text begin the new text end special fund of a volunteer firefighters' relief association or the account for volunteer firefighters within the special fund of a partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Surviving spouse.

For purposes of this chapter, and the deleted text begin governingdeleted text end bylaws deleted text begin of anydeleted text end new text begin governing a new text end relief association to which this chapter applies, deleted text begin the termdeleted text end "surviving spouse" means the spouse of a deceased member who was legally married to the member at the time of new text begin the member's new text end death.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Firefighting service.

"Firefighting service," if the applicable municipality approves for a fire department that is a municipal department, or if the new text begin applicable new text end contracting municipality or municipalities approve for a fire department that is an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, includes new text begin fire department new text end service rendered by fire prevention personnel.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Separate from active service.

"Separate from active service" means deleted text begin todeleted text end new text begin that a firefighter new text end permanently deleted text begin ceasedeleted text end new text begin ceases new text end to perform fire suppression duties with a particular volunteer fire department, deleted text begin todeleted text end permanently deleted text begin ceasedeleted text end new text begin ceases new text end to perform fire prevention duties, deleted text begin todeleted text end permanently deleted text begin ceasedeleted text end new text begin ceases new text end to supervise fire suppression duties, and deleted text begin todeleted text end permanently deleted text begin ceasedeleted text end new text begin ceases new text end to supervise fire prevention duties.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Volunteer firefighter.

"Volunteer firefighter" means a person whonew text begin eithernew text end :

(1) was a member of the applicable fire department or the new text begin independent nonprofit new text end firefighting corporation and a member of the relief association on July 1, 2006; or

(2) became a member of the applicable fire department or the new text begin independent nonprofit new text end firefighting corporation and is eligible for membership in the applicable relief association after June 30, 2006, and

(i) is engaged in providing emergency response services or delivering fire education or prevention services as a member of a municipal fire department, a joint powers entity fire department, or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation;

(ii) is trained in or is qualified to provide fire suppression duties or to provide fire prevention duties under subdivision 8; and

(iii) meets any other minimum firefighter and service standards established by the fire department or new text begin the independent nonprofit new text end firefighting corporation or specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin [424A.002] AUTHORIZATION OF NEW OR CONTINUING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authorization. new text end

new text begin A municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, with approval by the applicable municipality or municipalities, may establish a new volunteer firefighters' relief association or may retain an existing volunteer firefighters' relief association. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Defined benefit or defined contribution relief association. new text end

new text begin The articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the volunteer firefighters' relief association must specify that the relief association is either a defined benefit relief association subject to sections 69.771 to 69.774, 424A.015, and 424A.02 or is a defined contribution relief association subject to sections 424A.015 and 424A.016. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.01, is amended to read:

424A.01 MEMBERSHIP IN A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Subdivision 1.

Minors.

deleted text begin It is unlawful for anydeleted text end new text begin (a) No volunteer firefighters' relief association associated with a new text end municipality or new text begin an new text end independent nonprofit firefighting corporation deleted text begin to employdeleted text end new text begin may include as a relief association member new text end a minor new text begin serving new text end as a deleted text begin volunteerdeleted text end firefighter deleted text begin or to permit a minor to serve in any capacity performing any firefighting duties with a volunteer fire departmentdeleted text end new text begin , except for members of a youth, civic, or educational organization or program who participate with uninterrupted adult supervision, as allowed by federal law and by section 181A.04. Such organizations or programs include, but are not limited to, Boy Scout Explorer programs or firefighting degree programsnew text end .

new text begin (b) No volunteer firefighters' relief association associated with a municipality or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation may include as a relief association member a minor serving as a volunteer firefighter. new text end

Subd. 2.

Status of substitute volunteer firefighters.

No person who is serving as a substitute volunteer firefighter deleted text begin shall be deemeddeleted text end new text begin may be considered new text end to be a firefighter for purposes of chapter 69 or this chapter deleted text begin nor shall bedeleted text end new text begin and no substitute volunteer firefighter is new text end authorized to be a member of any volunteer firefighters' relief association governed by chapter 69 or this chapter.

Subd. 3.

Status of nonmember volunteer firefighters.

No person who is serving as a firefighter in a fire department but who is not a member of the applicable firefighters' relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end entitled to any service pension or ancillary benefits from the relief association.

Subd. 4.

Exclusion of persons constituting an unwarranted health risk.

The board of trustees of every relief association may exclude from membership in the relief association all applicants who, due to some medically determinable physical or mental impairment or condition, deleted text begin woulddeleted text end new text begin is determined to new text end constitute a predictable and unwarranted risk of imposing liability for an ancillary benefit at any age earlier than the minimum age specified for receipt of a service pension. Notwithstanding any provision of section 363A.25, it deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end a good and valid defense to a complaint or action brought under chapter 363A that the board of trustees of the relief association made a good faith determination that the applicant suffers from an impairment or condition constituting a predictable and unwarranted risk for the relief association if the determination was made following consideration of: deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end the person's medical history; and deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end the report of the physician completing a physical examination of the applicant deleted text begin completeddeleted text end new text begin undertaken new text end at the expense of the relief association.

Subd. 5.

Fire prevention personnel.

(a) If the fire department is a municipal department and the applicable municipality approves, or if the fire department is an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and the contracting municipality or municipalities approve, the fire department may employ or otherwise utilize the services of persons as volunteer firefighters to perform fire prevention duties and to supervise fire prevention activities.

(b) Personnel serving in fire prevention positions are eligible to be members of the applicable volunteer firefighter relief association and to qualify for service pension or other benefit coverage of the relief association on the same basis as fire department personnel who perform fire suppression duties.

(c) Personnel serving in fire prevention positions also are eligible to receive any other benefits under the applicable law or practice for services on the same basis as personnel new text begin who are new text end employed to perform fire suppression duties.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Return to active firefighting after break in service. new text end

new text begin (a) If a former active 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 person may again become an active member of the relief association. new text end

new text begin (b) A firefighter who returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a) may qualify for the receipt of a service pension from the relief association for the resumption service period if the firefighter meets a minimum period of resumption service specified in the relief association bylaws. new text end

new text begin (c) A firefighter who returns to active lump-sum relief association membership and who qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (b) 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 to apply 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. No firefighter may be paid a service pension twice for the same period of service. If a lump-sum service pension had not been paid to the firefighter upon the firefighter's previous cessation of duties and the firefighter meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, a service pension must be calculated to apply the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of service credit. new text end

new text begin (d) A firefighter who had not been paid a lump-sum service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a), who does not qualify for a service pension under paragraph (b), but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's previous years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension calculated for the previous years of service based on 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. new text end

new text begin (e) If a firefighter receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active monthly benefit relief association membership under paragraph (a), 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 (b), 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. The 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 to apply the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of service credit. new text end

new text begin (f) A firefighter who was not receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a), who does not qualify for a service pension under paragraph (b), but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's previous years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension calculated for the previous years of service based on 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. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin [424A.015] GENERALLY APPLICABLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION PENSION PLAN REGULATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Separation from active service; exception. new text end

new text begin (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. new text end

new text begin (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: new text end

new text begin (1) the person is employed subsequent to retirement by the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever applies, to perform duties within the municipal fire department or corporation on a full-time basis; new text end

new text begin (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 new text end

new text begin (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 end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin No assignment or garnishment. new text end

new text begin A service pension or ancillary benefits paid or payable from the special fund of a relief association to any person receiving or entitled to receive a service pension or ancillary benefits is not subject to garnishment, judgment, execution, or other legal process, except as provided in section 518.58, 518.581, or 518A.53. No person entitled to a service pension or ancillary benefits from the special fund of a relief association may assign any service pension or ancillary benefit payments, and the association does not have the authority to recognize any assignment or pay over any sum which has been assigned. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Purchase of annuity contract. new text end

new text begin A relief association that provides a service pension in a single payment, if the governing articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may purchase an annuity contract on behalf of a retiring member in an amount equal to the service pension otherwise payable at the request of the person and in place of a direct payment to the person. The annuity contract must be purchased from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in this state. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Transfer to individual retirement account. new text end

new text begin 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 death or 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 end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin [424A.016] DEFINED CONTRIBUTION VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION SPECIFIC REGULATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Defined contribution relief association authorization. new text end

new text begin If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws governing the volunteer firefighters' relief association so provide exclusively, the relief association may pay a defined contribution lump-sum service pension instead of a defined benefit service pension governed by section 424A.02. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Defined contribution service pension eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) A relief association, when its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may pay out of the assets of its special fund a defined contribution service pension to each of its members who: new text end

new text begin (1) separates from active service with the fire department; new text end

new text begin (2) reaches age 50; new text end

new text begin (3) completes at least five years of active service as an active member of the municipal fire department to which the relief association is associated; new text end

new text begin (4) completes at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service; and new text end

new text begin (5) complies with any additional conditions as to age, service, and membership that are prescribed by the bylaws of the relief association. new text end

new text begin (b) In the case of a member who has completed at least five years of active service as an active member of the fire department to which the relief association is associated on the date that the relief association is established and incorporated, the requirement that the member complete at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service may be waived by the board of trustees of the relief association if the member completes at least five years of inactive membership with the relief association before the date of the payment of the service pension. During the period of inactive membership, the member is not entitled to receive any disability benefit coverage, is not entitled to receive additional individual account allocation of fire state aid or municipal contribution towards a service pension, and is considered to have the status of a person entitled to a deferred service pension. new text end

new text begin (c) The service pension earned by a volunteer under this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the relief association may be paid whether or not the municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation to which the relief association is associated qualifies for the receipt of fire state aid under chapter 69. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reduced vesting schedule. new text end

new text begin If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a defined contribution relief association so provide, a relief association may pay a reduced service pension not to exceed the nonforfeitable percentage of the account balance to a retiring member who has completed fewer than 20 years of service. The reduced service pension may be paid when the retiring member meets the minimum age and service requirements of subdivision 2. The nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows: new text end

new text begin Completed Years of Service new text end new text begin Nonforfeitable Percentage of Pension Amount new text end
new text begin 5 new text end new text begin 40 percent new text end
new text begin 6 new text end new text begin 52 percent new text end
new text begin 7 new text end new text begin 64 percent new text end
new text begin 8 new text end new text begin 76 percent new text end
new text begin 9 new text end new text begin 88 percent new text end
new text begin 10 new text end new text begin and thereafter new text end new text begin 100 percent new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Individual accounts. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual account must be established for each firefighter who is a member of the relief association. new text end

new text begin (b) To each individual active member account must be credited an equal share of: new text end

new text begin (1) any amounts of fire state aid received by the relief association; new text end

new text begin (2) any amounts of municipal contributions to the relief association raised from levies on real estate or from other available municipal revenue sources exclusive of fire state aid; and new text end

new text begin (3) any amounts equal to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of: new text end

new text begin (i) any former member who terminated active service with the fire department to which the relief association is associated before meeting the minimum service requirement provided for in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and has not returned to active service with the fire department for a period no shorter than five years; or new text end

new text begin (ii) any retired member who retired before obtaining a full nonforfeitable interest in the amounts credited to the individual member account under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association. In addition, any investment return on the assets of the special fund must be credited in proportion to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of each individual active member account. Administrative expenses of the relief association payable from the special fund may be deducted from individual accounts in a manner specified in the bylaws of the relief association. new text end

new text begin (c) Amounts to be credited to individual accounts must be allocated uniformly for all years of active service and allocations must be made for all years of service, except for caps on service credit if so provided in the bylaws of the relief association. The allocation method may utilize monthly proration for fractional years of service, as the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the relief association so provide. The bylaws or articles of incorporation may define a "month," but the definition must require a calendar month to have at least 16 days of active service. If the bylaws or articles of incorporation do not define a "month," a "month" is a completed calendar month of active service measured from the member's date of entry to the same date in the subsequent month. new text end

new text begin (d) At the time of retirement under subdivision 2 and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association, a retiring member is entitled to that portion of the assets of the special fund to the credit of the member in the individual member account which is nonforfeitable under subdivision 3 and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association based on the number of years of service to the credit of the retiring member. new text end

new text begin (e) Annually, the secretary of the relief association shall certify the individual account allocations to the state auditor at the same time that the annual financial statement or financial report and audit of the relief association, whichever applies, is due under section 69.051. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Service pension installment payments. new text end

new text begin A defined contribution relief association, if the governing bylaws so provide, may pay, at the option of the retiring member and in lieu of a single payment of a service pension, the service pension in installments. The election of installment payments is irrevocable and must be made by the retiring member in writing and filed with the secretary of the relief association no later than 30 days before the commencement of payment of the service pension. The amount of the installment payments must be the fractional portion of the remaining account balance equal to one divided by the number of remaining annual installment payments. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Deferred service pensions. new text end

new text begin (a) A member of a relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the member: new text end

new 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; new text end

new text begin (2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and new text end

new text begin (3) separates from active service and membership before reaching age 50 or the minimum age for retirement and commencement of a service pension specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50. new text end

new text begin (b) The deferred service pension is payable when the former member reaches age 50, or 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. new text end

new text begin (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: new text end

new text begin (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 or if the deferred benefit amount is invested in a separate investment vehicle held by the relief association; or new text end

new text begin (2) 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 date on which the investment return is recognized by and credited to the special fund. new text end

new text begin (d) 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 end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Limitation on ancillary benefits. new text end

new text begin (a) A defined contribution relief association may only pay an ancillary benefit which would constitute an authorized disbursement as specified in section 424A.05. The ancillary benefit for active members must equal the vested or nonvested amount of the individual account of the member. new text end

new text begin (b) For deferred members, the ancillary benefit must equal the vested amount of the individual account of the member. For the recipient of installment payments of a service pension, the ancillary benefit must equal the remaining balance in the individual account of the recipient. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Filing of bylaw amendments. new text end

new text begin Each relief association to which this section applies must file a revised copy of its governing bylaws with the state auditor upon the adoption of any amendment to its governing bylaws by the relief association. Failure of the relief association to file a copy of the bylaws or any bylaw amendments with the state auditor disqualifies the municipality from the distribution of any future fire state aid until this filing requirement has been completed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authorization.

(a) A new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association, when its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may pay out of the assets of its special fund a new text begin defined benefitnew text end service pension to each of its members who: (1) separates from active service with the fire department; (2) reaches age 50; (3) completes at least five years of active service as an active member of the municipal fire department to which the relief association is associated; (4) completes at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service; and (5) complies with any additional conditions as to age, service, and membership that are prescribed by the bylaws of the relief association. A service pension computed under this section may be prorated monthly for fractional years of servicedeleted text begin ,deleted text end deleted text begin ifdeleted text end new text begin as new text end the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the relief association so provide. new text begin The bylaws or articles of incorporation may define a "month," but the definition must require a calendar month to have at least 16 days of active service. If the bylaws or articles of incorporation do not define a "month," a "month" is a completed calendar month of active service measured from the member's date of entry to the same date in the subsequent month. new text end The service pension new text begin earned by a volunteer firefighter under this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the volunteer firefighters' relief association new text end may be paid whether or not the municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation to which the relief association is associated qualifies for new text begin the receipt of new text end fire state aid under chapter 69.

(b) In the case of a member who has completed at least five years of active service as an active member of the fire department to which the relief association is associated on the date that the relief association is established and incorporated, the requirement that the member complete at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service may be waived by the board of trustees of the relief association if the member completes at least five years of inactive membership with the relief association before the new text begin date of the new text end payment of the service pension. During the period of inactive membership, the member is not entitled to receive disability benefit coverage, is not entitled to receive additional service credit towards computation of a service pension, and is considered to have the status of a person entitled to a deferred service pension under subdivision 7.

(c) No municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation may delegate the power to take final action in setting a service pension or ancillary benefit amount or level to the board of trustees of the relief association or to approve in advance a service pension or ancillary benefit amount or level equal to the maximum amount or level that this chapter would allow rather than a specific dollar amount or level.

(d) No relief association as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, may pay a new text begin defined benefitnew text end 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 is employed subsequent to retirement by the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever applies, to perform 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 July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Nonforfeitable portion of service pension.

(a) If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association so provide, deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the new text end relief association may pay a reduced service pension to a retiring member who has completed fewer than 20 years of service. The reduced service pension may be paid when the retiring member meets the minimum age and service requirements of subdivision 1.

(b) The amount of the reduced service pension may not exceed the amount calculated by multiplying the service pension appropriate for the completed years of service as specified in the bylaws deleted text begin timesdeleted text end new text begin multiplied by new text end the applicable nonforfeitable percentage of pension.

(c) For a new text begin defined benefit new text end volunteer firefighter relief association that pays a lump-sum service pension, a monthly benefit service pension, or a lump-sum service pension or a monthly benefit service pension as alternative benefit forms, the nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows:

Completed Years of Service Nonforfeitable Percentage of Pension Amount
5 40 percent
6 44 percent
7 48 percent
8 52 percent
9 56 percent
10 60 percent
11 64 percent
12 68 percent
13 72 percent
14 76 percent
15 80 percent
16 84 percent
17 88 percent
18 92 percent
19 96 percent
20 and thereafter 100 percent

deleted text begin (d) For a volunteer firefighter relief association that pays a defined contribution service pension, the nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows: deleted text end

deleted text begin Completed Years of Service deleted text end deleted text begin Nonforfeitable Percentage of Pension Amount deleted text end
deleted text begin 5 deleted text end deleted text begin 40 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin 6 deleted text end deleted text begin 52 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin 7 deleted text end deleted text begin 64 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin 8 deleted text end deleted text begin 76 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin 9 deleted text end deleted text begin 88 percent deleted text end
deleted text begin 10 deleted text end deleted text begin and thereafter deleted text end deleted text begin 100 percent deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Flexible service pension maximums.

(a) Annually on or before August 1 as part of the certification of the financial requirements and minimum municipal obligation determined under section 69.772, subdivision 4, or 69.773, subdivision 5, as applicable, the secretary or some other official of the relief association designated in the bylaws of each new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association shall calculate and certify to the governing body of the applicable qualified municipality the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter for the most recent three-year period. The amount of available financing deleted text begin shall includedeleted text end new text begin includes new text end any amounts of fire state aid received or receivable by the relief association, any amounts of municipal contributions to the relief association raised from levies on real estate or from other available revenue sources exclusive of fire state aid, and one-tenth of the amount of assets in excess of the accrued liabilities of the relief association calculated under section 69.772, subdivision 2; 69.773, subdivisions 2 and 4; or 69.774, subdivision 2, if any.

(b) The maximum service pension which the new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association has authority to provide for in its bylaws for payment to a member retiring after the calculation date when the minimum age and service requirements specified in subdivision 1 are met must be determined using the table in paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies.

(c) For a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association where the governing bylaws provide for a monthly service pension to a retiring member, the maximum monthly service pension amount per month for each year of service credited that may be provided for in the bylaws is the greater of the service pension amount provided for in the bylaws on the date of the calculation of the average amount of the available financing per active covered firefighter or the maximum service pension figure corresponding to the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter:

Minimum Average Amount of Available Financing per Firefighter Maximum Service Pension Amount Payable per Month for Each Year of Service
$ ... $ .25
41 .50
81 1.00
122 1.50
162 2.00
203 2.50
243 3.00
284 3.50
324 4.00
365 4.50
405 5.00
486 6.00
567 7.00
648 8.00
729 9.00
810 10.00
891 11.00
972 12.00
1053 13.00
1134 14.00
1215 15.00
1296 16.00
1377 17.00
1458 18.00
1539 19.00
1620 20.00
1701 21.00
1782 22.00
1823 22.50
1863 23.00
1944 24.00
2025 25.00
2106 26.00
2187 27.00
2268 28.00
2349 29.00
2430 30.00
2511 31.00
2592 32.00
2673 33.00
2754 34.00
2834 35.00
2916 36.00
2997 37.00
3078 38.00
3159 39.00
3240 40.00
3321 41.00
3402 42.00
3483 43.00
3564 44.00
3645 45.00
3726 46.00
3807 47.00
3888 48.00
3969 49.00
4050 50.00
4131 51.00
4212 52.00
4293 53.00
4374 54.00
4455 55.00
4536 56.00
Effective beginning December 31, 2008
4617 57.00
4698 58.00
4779 59.00
4860 60.00
4941 61.00
5022 62.00
5103 63.00
5184 64.00
5265 65.00
Effective beginning December 31, 2009
5346 66.00
5427 67.00
5508 68.00
5589 69.00
5670 70.00
5751 71.00
5832 72.00
5913 73.00
5994 74.00
Effective beginning December 31, 2010
6075 75.00
6156 76.00
6237 77.00
6318 78.00
6399 79.00
6480 80.00
6561 81.00
6642 82.00
6723 83.00
Effective beginning December 31, 2011
6804 84.00
6885 85.00
6966 86.00
7047 87.00
7128 88.00
7209 89.00
7290 90.00
7371 91.00
7452 92.00
Effective beginning December 31, 2012
7533 93.00
7614 94.00
7695 95.00
7776 96.00
7857 97.00
7938 98.00
8019 99.00
8100 100.00
any amount in excess of
8100 100.00

(d) For a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association in which the governing bylaws provide for a lump-sum service pension to a retiring member, the maximum lump-sum service pension amount for each year of service credited that may be provided for in the bylaws is the greater of the service pension amount provided for in the bylaws on the date of the calculation of the average amount of the available financing per active covered firefighter or the maximum service pension figure corresponding to the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter for the applicable specified period:

Minimum Average Amount of Available Financing per Firefighter Maximum Lump-Sum Service Pension Amount Payable for Each Year of Service
$ ... $ 10
11 20
16 30
23 40
27 50
32 60
43 80
54 100
65 120
77 140
86 160
97 180
108 200
131 240
151 280
173 320
194 360
216 400
239 440
259 480
281 520
302 560
324 600
347 640
367 680
389 720
410 760
432 800
486 900
540 1000
594 1100
648 1200
702 1300
756 1400
810 1500
864 1600
918 1700
972 1800
1026 1900
1080 2000
1134 2100
1188 2200
1242 2300
1296 2400
1350 2500
1404 2600
1458 2700
1512 2800
1566 2900
1620 3000
1672 3100
1726 3200
1753 3250
1780 3300
1820 3375
1834 3400
1888 3500
1942 3600
1996 3700
2023 3750
2050 3800
2104 3900
2158 4000
2212 4100
2265 4200
2319 4300
2373 4400
2427 4500
2481 4600
2535 4700
2589 4800
2643 4900
2697 5000
2751 5100
2805 5200
2859 5300
2913 5400
2967 5500
3021 5600
3075 5700
3129 5800
3183 5900
3237 6000
3291 6100
3345 6200
3399 6300
3453 6400
3507 6500
3561 6600
3615 6700
3669 6800
3723 6900
3777 7000
3831 7100
3885 7200
3939 7300
3993 7400
4047 7500
Effective beginning December 31, 2008
4101 7600
4155 7700
4209 7800
4263 7900
4317 8000
4371 8100
4425 8200
4479 8300
Effective beginning December 31, 2009
4533 8400
4587 8500
4641 8600
4695 8700
4749 8800
4803 8900
4857 9000
4911 9100
Effective beginning December 31, 2010
4965 9200
5019 9300
5073 9400
5127 9500
5181 9600
5235 9700
5289 9800
5343 9900
5397 10,000
any amount in excess of
5397 10,000

(e) For a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association in which the governing bylaws provide for a monthly benefit service pension as an alternative form of service pension payment to a lump-sum service pension, the maximum service pension amount for each pension payment type must be determined using the applicable table contained in this subdivision.

(f) If a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association establishes a service pension in compliance with the applicable maximum contained in paragraph (c) or (d) and the minimum average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter is subsequently reduced because of a reduction in fire state aid or because of an increase in the number of active firefighters, the relief association may continue to provide the prior service pension amount specified in its bylaws, but may not increase the service pension amount until the minimum average amount of available financing per firefighter under the table in paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies, permits.

(g) No new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association is authorized to provide a service pension in an amount greater than the largest applicable flexible service pension maximum amount even if the amount of available financing per firefighter is greater than the financing amount associated with the largest applicable flexible service pension maximum.

new text begin (h) The method of calculating service pensions must be applied uniformly for all years of active service. Credit must be given for all years of active service except for caps on service credit if so provided in the bylaws of the relief association. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Penalty for paying pension greater than applicable maximum.

(a) If a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association pays a service pension greater than the maximum service pension associated with the applicable average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter under the table in subdivision 3, paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies, the maximum service pension under subdivision 3, paragraph (f), or the applicable maximum service pension amount specified in subdivision 3, paragraph (g), whichever is less, the state auditor shall:

(1) disqualify the municipality or the nonprofit firefighting corporation associated with the relief association from receiving fire state aid by making the appropriate notification to the municipality and the commissioner of revenue, with the disqualification applicable for the next apportionment and payment of fire state aid; and

(2) new text begin order the treasurer of the applicable relief association to new text end recover the amount of the overpaid service pension or pensions from any retired firefighter who received an overpayment.

(b) Fire state aid amounts from disqualified municipalities for the period of disqualifications under paragraph (a), clause (1), must be credited to the amount of fire insurance premium tax proceeds available for the next subsequent fire state aid apportionment.

(c) The amount of any overpaid service pension recovered under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be credited to the amount of fire insurance premium tax proceeds available for the next subsequent fire state aid apportionment.

(d) The determination of the state auditor that a relief association has paid a service pension greater than the applicable maximum must be made on the basis of the information filed by the relief association and the municipality with the state auditor under sections 69.011, subdivision 2, and 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, whichever applies, and any other relevant information that comes to the attention of the state auditor. The determination of the state auditor is final. An aggrieved municipality, relief association, or person may appeal the determination under section 480A.06.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Deferred service pensions.

(a) A member of a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the member:

(1) has completed the lesser of new text begin either new text end the minimum period of active service with the fire department specified in the bylaws or 20 years of active service with the fire department;

(2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and

(3) separates from active service and membership before reaching age 50 or the minimum age for retirement and commencement of a service pension specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50.

(b) The deferred service pension is payable when the former member reaches age 50, or 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 new text begin defined benefit new text end 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 or if the deferred benefit amount is invested in a separate investment vehicle held by the relief association; or

(2) at an interest rate of up to five percent, compounded annually, as set by the board of directors and approved as provided in subdivision 10.

(d) Interest under paragraph (c), clause (2), is payable following the date on which the municipality has approved the deferred service pension interest rate established by the board of trustees.

deleted text begin (e) A relief association that provides a defined contribution service pension 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 in one of the manners specified in paragraph (c) or alternatively the relief association may credit any 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 date on which the investment return is recognized by and credited to the special fund. deleted text end

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e) 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 (f) 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 July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Lump-sum service pensions; installment payments.

(a) deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin A defined benefit new text end relief association, if the governing bylaws so provide, may pay, at the option of the deleted text begin retiring memberdeleted text end new text begin intended recipient new text end and in lieu of a single payment of a lump-sum service pensionnew text begin or survivor benefitnew text end , a lump-sum service pension new text begin or survivor benefit new text end in installments.

(b) The election of installment payments deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end irrevocable and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be made by the deleted text begin retiring memberdeleted text end new text begin intended recipient new text end in writing and filed with the secretary of the relief association no later than 30 days deleted text begin prior todeleted text end new text begin before new text end the commencement of payment of the service pensionnew text begin or survivor benefitnew text end . The amount of the installment payments deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be determined deleted text begin so that the present value of the aggregate installment payments computed at an interest rate of five percent, compounded annually, is equal to the amount of the single lump-sum payment which would have been made had the installment payments option not been elected. The payment of each installment shall include interest at the rate of five percent, compounded annually on the reserve supporting the remaining installment payments as of the date on which the previous installment payment was paid and computed from the date on which the previous installment payment was paid to the date of payment for the current installment paymentdeleted text end new text begin in any reasonable manner provided for in the governing bylaws, but the total amount of installment payments may not exceed the single payment service pension amount plus interest at an annual rate of five percent on the amount of delayed payments for the period during which payment was delayednew text end .

deleted text begin (c) To the extent that the commissioner of commerce deems it to be necessary or practical, the commissioner may specify and issue procedures, forms or mathematical tables for use in performing the calculations required pursuant to this subdivision. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Limitation on ancillary benefits.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin A defined benefit new text end relief association, including any volunteer firefighters relief association governed by section 69.77 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 new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association in which governing bylaws provide for a lump-sum service pension to a retiring member, 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 new text begin defined benefit new text end 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 deleted text begin anydeleted text end new text begin a defined benefit new text end 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9a, is amended to read:

Subd. 9a.

Postretirement increases.

Notwithstanding any provision of general or special law to the contrary, a new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association paying a monthly service pension may provide a postretirement increase to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients of the relief association if (1) the relief association adopts an appropriate bylaw amendment; and (2) the bylaw amendment is approved by the municipality pursuant to subdivision 10 and section 69.773, subdivision 6. The postretirement increase deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end applicable only to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients receiving a service pension or ancillary benefit as of the effective date of the bylaw amendment. The authority to provide a postretirement increase to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients of a relief association contained in this subdivision deleted text begin shall supersededeleted text end new text begin supersedes new text end any prior special law authorization relating to the provision of postretirement increases.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9b, is amended to read:

Subd. 9b.

Repayment of service pension in certain instances.

If a retired volunteer firefighter does not permanently separate from active firefighting service as required by subdivision 1 and section 424A.001, subdivision 9, by resuming active service as a firefighter in the same volunteer fire department or as a person in charge of firefighters in the same volunteer fire department, no additional service pension amount is payable to the person, no additional service is creditable to the person, and the person deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end repay new text begin to the defined benefit relief association new text end any previously received service pension.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Local approval of bylaw amendments; filing requirements.

(a) Each new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association to which this section applies deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end file a revised copy of its governing bylaws with the state auditor upon the adoption of any amendment to its governing bylaws by the relief association or upon the approval of any amendment to its governing bylaws granted by the governing body of each municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated. Failure of the relief association to file a copy of the bylaws or any bylaw amendments with the state auditor deleted text begin shall disqualifydeleted text end new text begin disqualifies new text end the municipality from the distribution of any future fire state aid until this filing requirement has been completed.

(b) If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.772, subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), or 69.773, subdivision 4, and if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.772 or 69.773, no bylaw amendment which would affect the amount of, the manner of payment of, or the conditions for qualification for service pensions or ancillary benefits or disbursements other than administrative expenses authorized deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.80 payable from the special fund of the relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end effective until it has been ratified by the governing body or bodies of the appropriate municipalities. If the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end this section, the relief association may adopt or amend without municipal ratification its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the service pensions or ancillary benefits payable from the special fund so long as the changes do not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the deleted text begin priordeleted text end surplus over full funding new text begin reported in the prior year new text end and the changes do not result in the financial requirements of the special fund exceeding the expected amount of the deleted text begin futuredeleted text end new text begin subsequent calendar year's new text end fire state aid to be received by the relief association.

(c) If the relief association pays only a lump-sum pension, the financial requirements are to be determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the change. If the relief association pays a monthly benefit service pension, the financial requirements are to be determined by the board of trustees following either an updated actuarial valuation including the proposed change or an estimate of the expected actuarial impact of the proposed change prepared by the actuary of the relief association. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin is new text end no longer deleted text begin bedeleted text end effective without municipal ratification, and any service pensions or ancillary benefits payable after that date deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Transfer of service credit to new district.

Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision 1 or any other law, a member of a fire department which is disbanded upon formation of a fire district to serve substantially the same geographic area, who serves as an active firefighter with the new district fire department, and is a member of the district firefighters' new text begin defined benefit new text end relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end entitled to a nonforfeitable service pension from the new relief association upon completion of a combined total of 20 years active service in the disbanded and the new departments. The amount of the service pension deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end based upon years of service in the new department onlydeleted text begin ,deleted text end and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be in an amount equal to the accrued liability for the appropriate years of service calculated in accordance with section 69.772, subdivision 2.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Combined service pensions.

(a) If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the new text begin defined benefit relief new text end associations so provide, a volunteer firefighter with credit for service as an active firefighter in more than one new text begin defined benefit new text end volunteer firefighters relief association is entitled, when the applicable requirements of paragraph (b) are met and when otherwise qualified, to a prorated service credit from each relief association.

(b) A volunteer firefighter receiving a prorated service pension under this subdivision must have new text begin a new text end total new text begin amount of new text end service credit of ten years or more, if new text begin the bylaws of new text end every affected relief association deleted text begin doesdeleted text end new text begin do new text end not deleted text begin requiredeleted text end new text begin specify new text end only a five-year service vesting requirement, or five years or more, if new text begin the bylaws of new text end every affected relief association deleted text begin requiresdeleted text end new text begin require new text end only a five-year service vesting requirement, as a member of two or more relief associations otherwise qualified. The member must have one year or more of service credit in each relief association. The prorated service pension must be based on the service pension amount in effect for the relief association on the date on which active volunteer firefighting services covered by that relief association terminate. To receive a service pension under this subdivision, the firefighter must become a member of the second or succeeding association and must give notice of membership to the prior association within two years of the date of termination of active service with the prior association. The notice must be attested to by the second or subsequent new text begin relief new text end association secretary.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.021, is amended to read:

424A.021 CREDIT FOR BREAK IN SERVICE TO PROVIDE UNIFORMED SERVICE.

Subdivision 1.

Authorization.

Subject to restrictions stated in this section, a volunteer firefighter who is absent from firefighting service due to service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), may obtain service credit if the relief association is a defined benefit plan or an allocation deleted text begin of any fire state aid, any municipal contributions, and any investment return receiveddeleted text end by the relief association new text begin as though the person was an active member new text end if the relief association is a defined contribution plan for the period of the uniformed service, not to exceed five years, unless a longer period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312.

Subd. 2.

Limitations.

(a) To be eligible for service credit or an deleted text begin investment returndeleted text end allocation new text begin as though an active member new text end under this section, the volunteer firefighter must return to firefighting service with coverage by the same relief association or by the successor to that relief association upon discharge from service in the uniformed service within the time frame required in United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e).

(b) Service credit or an deleted text begin investment returndeleted text end allocation new text begin as though an active member new text end is not authorized if the firefighter separates from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions.

(c) Service credit or an deleted text begin investment returndeleted text end allocation new text begin as though an active member new text end is not authorized if the firefighter fails to provide notice to the fire department that the individual is leaving to provide service in the uniformed service, unless it is not feasible to provide that notice due to the emergency nature of the situation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.03, is amended to read:

424A.03 UNIFORMITY OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SERVICE PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

Subdivision 1.

Limitation on nonuniformity of pensions.

Every partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end provide service pensions to volunteer firefighter members based on the years of service of the members not on the compensation paid to the members for firefighting services. Each relief association deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end provide service pensions to salaried members as set forth in chapter 424 and applicable special laws.

Subd. 2.

Penalties for violations.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin A new text end municipality which has a fire department deleted text begin to whichdeleted text end new text begin associated with new text end a relief association which violates the provisions of subdivision 1 is directly associated or which contracts with an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation deleted text begin of whichdeleted text end new text begin associated with new text end a relief association which violates the provisions of subdivision 1 is a subsidiary deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end not be included in the apportionment of fire state aid deleted text begin by the commissioner of commercedeleted text end to the applicable county auditor deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.021, subdivision 6, and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end not be included in the apportionment of fire state aid by the county auditor to the various municipalities deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.021, subdivision 7.

Subd. 3.

Exception to application of limitation and penalty.

The limitation provided for in subdivision 1 deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin does new text end not apply to any relief association which deleted text begin prior todeleted text end new text begin before new text end January 1, 1957, had established a definite service pension formula for members of the partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association who are regularly employed firefighters.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.04, is amended to read:

424A.04 VOLUNTEER RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

(a) A relief association that is directly associated with a municipal fire department must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of nine members. Six trustees must be elected from the membership of the relief association and three trustees must be drawn from the officials of the municipalities served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated. The bylaws of a relief association which provides a monthly benefit service pension may provide that one of the six trustees elected from the relief association membership may be a retired member receiving a monthly pension who is elected by the membership of the relief association. The three municipal trustees must be one elected municipal official and one elected or appointed municipal official who are designated as municipal representatives by the municipal governing board annually and the chief of the municipal fire department.

(b) A relief association that is a subsidiary of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of nine members. Six trustees must be elected from the membership of the relief association, two trustees must be drawn from the officials of the municipalities served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, and one trustee deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be the fire chief serving with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation. The bylaws of a relief association may provide that one of the six trustees elected from the relief association membership may be a retired member receiving a monthly pension who is elected by the membership of the relief association. The two municipal trustees must be elected or appointed municipal officials, selected as follows:

(1) if only one municipality contracts with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, the municipal trustees must be two officials of the contracting municipality who are designated annually by the governing body of the municipality; or

(2) if two or more municipalities contract with the independent nonprofit corporation, the municipal trustees must be one official from each of the two largest municipalities in population who are designated annually by the governing bodies of the applicable municipalities.

(c) The municipal trustees for a relief association that is directly associated with a fire department operated as or by a joint powers entity must be new text begin the fire chief of the fire department and two trustees new text end designated annually by the joint powers board. The municipal trustees for a relief association that is directly associated with a fire department service area township must be new text begin the fire chief of the fire department and two trustees new text end designated by the township board.

(d) If a relief association lacks the municipal board members provided for in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) because the fire department is not located in or associated with an organized municipality, joint powers entity, or township, the municipal board members must be new text begin the fire chief of the fire department and two board members new text end appointed from the fire department service area by the board of commissioners of the applicable county.

(e) The term of deleted text begin thesedeleted text end new text begin the new text end appointed municipal board members is one year or until the person's successor is qualified, whichever is later.

(f) A municipal trustee under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) has all the rights and duties accorded to any other trustee, except the right to be an officer of the relief association board of trustees.

(g) A board must have at least three officers, who are a president, a secretary and a treasurer. These officers must be elected from among the elected trustees by either the full board of trustees or by the new text begin relief association new text end membership, as specified in the bylaws. In no event may any trustee hold more than one officer position at any one time. The terms of the elected trustees and of the officers of the board must be specified in the bylaws of the relief association, but may not exceed three years. If the term of the elected trustees exceeds one year, the election of the various trustees elected from the membership must be staggered on as equal a basis as is practicable.

Subd. 2.

Fiduciary duty.

The board of trustees new text begin of a relief association new text end shall undertake their activities consistent with chapter 356A.

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Fiduciary responsibility. new text end

new text begin In the discharge of their respective duties, the officers and trustees shall be held to the standard of care specified in section 11A.09. In addition, the trustees shall act in accordance with chapter 356A. Each member of the board is a fiduciary and shall undertake all fiduciary activities in accordance with the standard of care of section 11A.09, and in a manner consistent with chapter 356A. No fiduciary of a relief association shall cause a relief association to engage in a transaction if the fiduciary knows or should know that the transaction constitutes one of the following direct or indirect transactions: new text end

new text begin (1) sale or exchange or leasing of any real property between the relief association and a board member; new text end

new text begin (2) lending of money or other extension of credit between the relief association and a board member or member of the relief association; new text end

new text begin (3) furnishing of goods, services, or facilities between the relief association and a board member; or new text end

new text begin (4) transfer to a board member, or use by or for the benefit of a board member, of any assets of the relief association. A transfer of assets does not mean the payment of relief association benefits or administrative expenses permitted by law. new text end

Subd. 3.

Conditions on relief association consultants.

(a) If a volunteer firefighter relief association deleted text begin hiresdeleted text end new text begin employs new text end or contracts with a consultant to provide legal or financial advice, the new text begin secretary of the relief new text end association shall obtain and the consultant shall provide new text begin to the secretary of the relief association new text end a copy of the consultant's certificate of insurance.

(b) A consultant is any person who is employed under contract to provide legal or financial advice and who is or who represents to the volunteer firefighter relief association that the person is:

(1) an actuary;

(2) a licensed public accountant or a certified public accountant;

(3) an attorney;

(4) an investment advisor or manager, or an investment counselor;

(5) an investment advisor or manager selection consultant;

(6) a pension benefit design advisor or consultant; or

(7) any other financial consultant.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment of special fund.

Every new text begin volunteer firefighters' new text end relief association shall establish and maintain a special fund within the relief association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Special fund assets and revenues.

The special fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be credited with all fire state aid moneys received deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end sections 69.011 to 69.051, all taxes levied by or other revenues received from the municipality deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end sections 69.771 to 69.776 or any applicable special law requiring municipal support for the relief association, any moneys or property donated, given, granted or devised by any person which is specified for use for the support of the special fund and any interest new text begin or investment return new text end earned upon the assets of the special fund. The treasurer of the relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end the custodian of the assets of the special fund and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be the recipient on behalf of the special fund of all revenues payable to the special fund. The treasurer shall maintain adequate records documenting any transaction involving the assets or the revenues of the special fund. These records and the bylaws of the relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin are new text end public and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be open for inspection by any member of the relief association, any officer or employee of the state or new text begin of new text end the municipality, or any member of the public, at reasonable times and places.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Authorized disbursements from the special fund.

(a) Disbursements from the special fund deleted text begin aredeleted text end new text begin may new text end not deleted text begin permitted todeleted text end be made for any purpose other than one of the following:

(1) for the payment of service pensions to retired members of the relief association if authorized and paid under law and the bylaws governing the relief association;

(2) for the payment of temporary or permanent disability benefits to disabled members of the relief association if authorized and paid deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end law and specified in amount in the bylaws governing the relief association;

(3) for the payment of survivor benefits to surviving spouses and surviving children, or if none, to designated beneficiaries, of deceased members of the relief association, and if new text begin no new text end survivors and if no designated beneficiary, for the payment of a death benefit to the estate of the deceased active new text begin or deferred new text end firefighter, if authorized by and paid deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end law and specified in amount in the bylaws governing the relief association;

(4) for the payment of the fees, dues and assessments to the Minnesota State Fire Department Associationdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin and new text end to the Minnesota Area Relief Association Coalitiondeleted text begin , and to the state Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Associationdeleted text end in order to entitle relief association members to membership in and the benefits of these associations or organizations; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

new text begin (5) for the payment of insurance premiums to the state Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Association, or an insurance company licensed by the state of Minnesota offering casualty insurance, in order to entitle relief association members to membership in and the benefits of the association or organization; and new text end

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end for the payment of administrative expenses of the relief association as authorized under section 69.80.

(b) For purposes of this chapter, new text begin 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, new text end a designated beneficiary must be a natural person.new text begin For purposes of this chapter, for a defined contribution volunteer fire relief association, 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 designated beneficiary may be a trust created under chapter 501B.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Investments of assets of the special fund.

The assets of the special fund deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be invested only in securities authorized by section 69.775.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.06, is amended to read:

424A.06 RELIEF ASSOCIATION GENERAL FUND.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment of general fund.

deleted text begin Anydeleted text end new text begin A new text end volunteer firefighters' relief association may establish and maintain a general fund within the relief association.

Subd. 2.

General fund assets and revenues.

To the general fund, if established, deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be credited all moneys received from dues, fines, initiation fees, entertainment revenues and any moneys or property donated, given, granted or devised by any person, for unspecified uses. The treasurer of the relief association deleted text begin shall bedeleted text end new text begin is new text end the custodian of the assets of the general fund and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be the recipient on behalf of the general fund of all revenues payable to the general fund. The treasurer shall maintain adequate records documenting any transaction involving the assets or the revenues of the general fund. These records deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must new text end be open for inspection by any member of the relief association at reasonable times and places.

Subd. 3.

Authorized disbursements from the general fund.

Disbursements from the general fund may be made for any purpose new text begin that is new text end authorized by either the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association.

Subd. 4.

Investment of assets of the general fund.

The assets of the general fund may be invested in any securities new text begin that are new text end authorized by the bylaws of the relief association and may be certified 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 begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.07, is amended to read:

424A.07 NONPROFIT FIREFIGHTING CORPORATIONS; ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS.

deleted text begin Prior todeleted text end new text begin Before new text end paying any service pensions or retirement benefits deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 424A.02 or new text begin before new text end becoming entitled to receive any amounts of fire state aid upon transmittal from a contracting municipality deleted text begin pursuant todeleted text end new text begin under new text end section 69.031, subdivision 5, a nonprofit firefighting corporation shall establish a new text begin volunteer firefighters' new text end relief association governed by this chapter.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.08, is amended to read:

424A.08 MUNICIPALITY WITHOUT RELIEF ASSOCIATION; AUTHORIZED DISBURSEMENTS.

new text begin (a) new text end Any qualified municipality which is entitled to receive fire state aid but which has no volunteer firefighters' relief association directly associated with its fire department new text begin and which has no full-time firefighters with retirement coverage by the public employees police and fire retirement plan new text end shall deposit the fire state aid in a special account new text begin established for that purpose new text end in the municipal treasury. Disbursement from the special account deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin may new text end not be made for any purpose except:

(1) payment of the fees, dues and assessments to the Minnesota State Fire Department Association and to the state Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Association in order to entitle its firefighters to membership in and the benefits of these state associations;

(2) payment of the cost of purchasing and maintaining needed equipment for the fire department; and

(3) payment of the cost deleted text begin fordeleted text end new text begin of new text end construction, acquisition, repair deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin , ornew text end maintenance of buildings or other premises to house the new text begin equipment of the new text end fire department.

new text begin (b) A qualified municipality which is entitled to receive fire state aid, which has no volunteer firefighters' relief association directly associated with its fire department and which has full-time firefighters with retirement coverage by the public employees police and fire retirement plan may disburse the fire state aid as provided in paragraph (a), 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, or for a combination of the two types of disbursements. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 new text begin volunteer new text end firefighters' relief association for service that the individual has performed as a volunteer firefighter;

(2) "survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter" means the deleted text begin legally marrieddeleted text end new text begin surviving new text end spouse of a deceased new text begin active or deferred new text end volunteer firefighternew text begin under section 424A.001, subdivision 6new text end , or, if none, the surviving deleted text begin minordeleted text end child or deleted text begin minordeleted text end children of a deceased new text begin active or deferred new text end 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 deleted text begin has beendeleted text end new text begin is deemed by the relief association under law and its bylaws to be new text end a fully qualified member of the relief association 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 to be entitled to a service pensionnew text begin under the bylaws of the relief associationnew text end , 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 July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Payment of supplemental benefit.

(a) Upon the payment by a new text begin volunteer new text end firefighters' relief association 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. deleted text begin The amount ofdeleted text end This benefit deleted text begin equalsdeleted text end new text begin is an amount equal to new text end 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 of a lump-sum survivor benefit deleted text begin ordeleted text end deleted text begin funeral benefitdeleted text end to a survivor of a deceased active volunteer firefighter or of a deceased deferred volunteer firefighter, the association may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the special fund of the relief association if its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide. The amount of the supplemental survivor benefit is 20 percent of the survivor benefit deleted text begin or funeraldeleted text end deleted text begin benefitdeleted text end , 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 July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

State reimbursement.

(a) Each year, to be eligible for state reimbursement of the amount of supplemental benefits paid under subdivision 2 during the preceding calendar year, the new text begin volunteer firefighters' new text end relief association deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin shallnew text end apply to the commissioner of revenue by February 15. By March 15, the commissioner shall reimburse the relief association for the amount of the supplemental benefits paid new text begin by the relief association new text end to qualified recipients and to survivors of deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighters.

(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of and supporting information that must be supplied as part of the application for state reimbursement. The commissioner of revenue shall reimburse the relief association by paying the reimbursement amount to the treasurer of the municipality where the association is located. Within 30 days after receipt, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the state reimbursement to the treasurer of the association if 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 reimbursement payment to the association until the complete financial report is filed. If the association has dissolved or has been removed as a trustee of state aid, the treasurer shall deposit the money in a special account in the municipal treasury, and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner provided in section 424A.08. When paid to the association, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the special fund of the relief association.

(c) A sum sufficient to make the payments is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

In lieu of income tax exclusion.

(a) The supplemental benefit provided by this section is in lieu of the state income tax exclusion for lump-sum distributions of retirement benefits paid to volunteer firefighters.

(b) If the law is modified to exclude or exempt volunteer firefighters' lump-sum distributions from state income taxation, the supplemental benefits under this section deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin are new text end no longer deleted text begin be paiddeleted text end new text begin payable, new text end beginning with the first calendar year in which the exclusion or exemption is effective. This subdivision does not apply to exemption of all or part of a lump-sum distribution under section 290.032 or 290.0802.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Retroactive reimbursement in certain instances.

A supplemental survivor deleted text begin or funeraldeleted text end benefit may be paid by a relief association for the death of an active volunteer firefighter or of a deferred volunteer firefighter that occurred on or after August 1, 2005, if the relief association articles of incorporation or bylaws deleted text begin sodeleted text end provide for a supplemental survivor benefit and new text begin provide new text end for retroactivity.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin This section applies when all of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined benefit relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1b. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Benefits. new text end

new text begin (a) The successor relief association following the consolidation of two or more defined benefit relief associations must be a defined benefit relief association. new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding any provision of section 424A.02, subdivision 3, to the contrary, the initial service pension amount of the subsequent defined benefit relief association as of the effective date of consolidation is either the service pension amount specified in clause (1) or the service pension amounts specified in clause (2), as provided for in the consolidated relief association's articles of incorporation or bylaws: new text end

new text begin (1) the highest dollar amount service pension amount of any prior volunteer firefighters relief association in effect immediately before the consolidation initiation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02; or new text end

new text begin (2) for service rendered by each individual volunteer firefighter before consolidation, the service pension amount under the consolidating volunteer firefighters relief association that the firefighter belonged to immediately before the consolidation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02 and for service rendered after the effective date of the consolidation, the highest dollar amount service pension of any of the consolidating volunteer firefighters relief associations in effect immediately before the consolidation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02. new text end

new text begin (c) Any increase in the service pension amount beyond the amount implemented under paragraph (a) must conform with the requirements and limitations of sections 69.771 to 69.775 and section 424A.02. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Funding.

(a) Unless the applicable municipalities agree in writing to allocate the minimum municipal obligation in a different manner, the minimum municipal obligation under section 69.772 or 69.773, whichever applies, must be allocated between the applicable municipalities in proportion to their fire state aid.

(b) If any applicable municipality fails to meet its portion of the minimum municipal obligation to the subsequent relief association, all other applicable municipalities are jointly obligated to provide the required funding upon certification by the relief association secretary. An applicable municipality that pays the minimum municipal obligation new text begin amount new text end for another applicable municipality, the municipality may collect deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin that new text end payment amount, plus a 25 percent surcharge, from the responsible applicable municipality by any available means, including new text begin a new text end deduction from any state aid or payment amount payable to the responsible municipality upon certification of the necessary information to the commissioner of finance.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 54.

new text begin [424B.11] CONSOLIDATING DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS; FUNDING. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin This section applies when all of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined contribution relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1c. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Individual accounts. new text end

new text begin The successor relief association following the consolidation of two or more defined contribution relief associations must be a defined contribution relief association and the successor relief association board shall establish individual accounts for every active member, inactive member, deferred member, or retired member receiving installment payments with that status as of the consolidation date. To each individual account the successor relief association must credit the amount to the credit of each person by a predecessor relief association as of the date of consolidation plus a proportional share, based on account value, of any subsequent net revenue during the consolidation process. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Funding. new text end

new text begin Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the successor relief association specify that municipal contributions are wholly voluntary or unless the municipalities associated with the consolidating defined contribution relief associations agree in writing to a different municipal support arrangement, each municipality must continue to provide the same amount of municipal support to the successor relief association as the municipality provided to the applicable predecessor relief association in the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar year in which the consolidation occurs. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 55.

new text begin [424B.12] MIXED CONSOLIDATING RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; BENEFIT PLAN; FUNDING. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin This section applies where one or more of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined benefit relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1b, and one or more of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined contribution relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1c. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Benefit plan. new text end

new text begin The articles of incorporation or bylaws of the successor relief association must specify whether the relief association is a defined benefit relief association or whether the relief association is a defined contribution relief association. If the successor relief association is a defined benefit relief association, the relief association benefits must comply with sections 424A.02 and 424B.11, subdivision 1a. If the successor relief association is a defined contribution relief association, the relief association must comply with sections 424A.016 and 424B.12, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Funding. new text end

new text begin If the successor relief association is a defined benefit relief association, the relief association funding is governed by section 424B.11, subdivision 2. If the successor relief association is a defined contribution relief association, the relief association funding is governed by section 424B.12, subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009. new text end

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.21, is amended to read:

424B.21 ANNUITY PURCHASES UPON DISSOLUTION.

The board of trustees of a volunteer firefighters relief association that is scheduled for dissolution may purchase annuity contracts under section deleted text begin 424A.02deleted text end new text begin 424A.015new text end , subdivision deleted text begin 8adeleted text end new text begin 3new text end , instead of transferring special fund assets to a municipal trust fund under section 424B.20, subdivision 4. Payment of an annuity for which a contract is purchased may not commence before the retirement age specified in the relief association bylaws and in compliance with section new text begin 424A.016, subdivision 2, or new text end 424A.02, subdivision 1. Legal title to the annuity contract transfers to the municipal trust fund under section 424B.20, subdivision 4.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009, if article 1 is also enacted. new text end

Sec. 57.

new text begin BRIMSON FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCIATION; BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERSHIP. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 424A.04, or other law to the contrary, the Brimson Firefighters Relief Association must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of ten members, with six trustees elected from the membership of the relief association, one trustee drawn from the officials of each municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, and one trustee who is the fire chief serving with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation. 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 Fairbanks Township and its chief clerical officer timely comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3. new text end

Sec. 58.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Repealed for recodification. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 424A.001, subdivision 7; 424A.02, subdivisions 4, 6, 8a, and 8b; and 424B.10, subdivision 1, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Repealed as obsolete. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.09, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Substantive repeal. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9b, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 11

CORRECTION OF PRIOR DRAFTING ERRORS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.66, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Insurance.

A board of an employing district entering into an agreement authorized by this section shall take all steps necessary to assure continuance of any insurance programs furnished or authorized a full-time teacher on an identical basis and with identical sharing of costs for a part-time teacher pursuant to this section, provided, however, that the requirements of this sentence may be modified by a collective bargaining agreement between a board and an exclusive representative pursuant to chapter deleted text begin 179deleted text end new text begin 179Anew text end . Teachers as defined in section 136F.43 employed on a less than 75 percent time basis pursuant to this section shall be eligible for state paid insurance benefits as if the teachers were employed full time.

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 2008, section 356.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Covered retirement plans.

The provisions of this section apply 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 general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353;

(5) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353;

(6) the Teachers Retirement Association, established under chapter 354;

(7) the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, established under chapter 422A;

(8) the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A;new text begin andnew text end

deleted text begin (9) the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A.

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 2008, section 422A.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Retirement benefit fund.

(a) The retirement benefit fund consists of amounts held for payment of retirement allowances for members retired under this chapter, including any transfer amount payable under subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(b) Unless subdivision 3, paragraph (c), applies, assets equal to the required reserves for retirement allowances under this chapter determined in accordance with the appropriate mortality table adopted by the board of trustees based on the experience of the fund as recommended by the actuary retained under section 356.214 must be transferred from the deposit accumulation fund to the retirement benefit fund as of the last business day of the month in which the retirement allowance begins. The income from investments of these assets must be allocated to this fund and any interest charge under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), must be credited to the fund. There must be paid from this fund the retirement annuities authorized by law. A required reserve calculation for the retirement benefit fund must be made by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and must be certified to the retirement board by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

(c) There is established a deferred yield adjustment account which must be increased by the sale or disposition of any debt securities at less than book value and must be decreased by the sale or disposition of debt securities at more than book value. At the end of each fiscal year, a portion of the balance of this account must be offset against the investment income for that year. The annual portion of the balance to be offset must be proportional to the reciprocal of the average remaining life of the bonds sold, unless the amounts are offset by gains on the future sales of these securities. The amount of this account must be included in the recognized value of assets other than corporate stocks and all other equity investments. In any fiscal year in which the gains on the sales of debt securities exceed the discounts realized on the sales of such securities, the excess must be used to reduce the balance of the account. If the realized capital gains are sufficient to reduce the balance of the account to zero, any excess gains must be available for the calculation of postretirement adjustments.

(d)(1) Annually, following June 30, the board shall use the procedures in clauses (2), (3), and (4), to determine whether a postretirement adjustment is payable and to determine the amount of any postretirement adjustment.

(2) If the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers all items index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor increases from June 30 of the preceding year to June 30 of the current year, the board shall certify the percentage increase. The amount certified must not exceed deleted text begin the lesser of the difference between the preretirement interest assumption and postretirement interest assumption in section 356.215, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), ordeleted text end 3.5 percent.

(3) In addition to any percentage increase certified under paragraph (b), the board shall use the following procedures to determine if a postretirement adjustment is payable under this paragraph:

(i) the board shall determine the market value of the fund on June 30 of that year;

(ii) the amount of reserves required as of the current June 30 for the annuity or benefit payable to an annuitant and benefit recipient must be determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214. An annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30 is eligible to receive a full postretirement adjustment. An annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, is eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment. The amount of the reserves for those annuitants and benefit recipients who are eligible to receive a full postretirement benefit adjustment is known as "eligible reserves." The amount of the reserves for those annuitants and benefit recipients who are not eligible to receive a postretirement adjustment is known as "noneligible reserves." For an annuitant or benefit recipient who is eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment, additional "eligible reserves" is an amount that bears the same ratio to the total reserves required for the annuitant or benefit recipient as the number of full months of annuity or benefit receipt as of the current June 30 bears to 12 full months. The remainder of the annuitant's or benefit recipient's reserves are "noneligible reserves";

(iii) the board shall determine the percentage increase certified under clause (2) multiplied by the eligible required reserves, as adjusted for mortality gains and losses, determined under item (ii);

(iv) the board shall add the amount of reserves required for the annuities or benefits payable to annuitants and benefit recipients of the participating public pension plans or funds as of the current June 30 to the amount determined under item (iii);

(v) the board shall subtract the amount determined under item (iv) from the market value of the fund determined under item (i);

(vi) the board shall adjust the amount determined under item (v) by the cumulative current balance determined under item (viii) and any negative balance carried forward under item (ix);

(vii) a positive amount resulting from the calculations in items (i) to (vi) is the excess market value. A negative amount is the negative balance;

(viii) the board shall allocate one-fifth of the excess market value or one-fifth of the negative balance to each of five consecutive years, beginning with the fiscal year ending the current June 30; and

(ix) to calculate the postretirement adjustment under this paragraph based on investment performance for a fiscal year, the board shall add together all excess market value allocated to that year and subtract from the sum all negative balances allocated to that year. If this calculation results in a negative number, the entire negative balance must be carried forward and allocated to the next year. If the resulting amount is positive, a postretirement adjustment is payable under this paragraph. The board shall express a positive amount as a percentage of the total eligible required reserves certified to the board under item (ii).

(4) The board shall determine the amount of any postretirement adjustment which is payable using the following procedure:

(i) the total "eligible" required reserves as of the first of January next following the end of the fiscal year for the annuitants and benefit recipients eligible to receive a full or partial postretirement adjustment as determined by item (ii) must be certified to the board by the actuary retained under section 356.214. The total "eligible" required reserves must be determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214 on the assumption that all annuitants and benefit recipients eligible to receive a full or partial postretirement adjustment will be alive on the January 1 in question; and

(ii) the board shall add the percentage certified under clause (2) to any positive percentage calculated under clause (3). The board shall not subtract from the percentage certified under paragraph (b) any negative amount calculated under clause (3). The sum of these percentages must be carried to five decimal places and must be certified as the full postretirement adjustment percentage.

(e) The board shall determine the amount of the postretirement adjustment payable to each eligible annuitant and benefit recipient. The dollar amount of the postretirement adjustment must be calculated by applying the certified postretirement adjustment percentage to the amount of the monthly annuity or benefit payable to each eligible annuitant or benefit recipient eligible for a full adjustment.

The dollar amount of the partial postretirement adjustment payable to each annuitant or benefit recipient eligible for a partial adjustment must be calculated by first determining a partial percentage amount that bears the same ratio to the certified full adjustment percentage amount as the number of full months of annuity or benefit receipt as of the current June 30 bears to 12 full months. The partial percentage amount determined must then be applied to the amount of the monthly annuity or benefit payable to each annuitant or benefit recipient eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment. The postretirement adjustments are payable on January 1 following the calculations required under this section and must thereafter be included in the monthly annuity or benefit paid to the recipient. Any adjustments under this section must be paid automatically unless the intended recipient files a written notice with the applicable participating public pension fund or plan requesting that the adjustment not be paid.

(f) As of June 30 annually, the actuary retained under section 356.214 shall calculate the amount of required reserves representing any mortality gains and any mortality losses incurred during the fiscal year and report the results of those calculations to the plan. The actuary shall report separately the amount of the reserves for annuitants and benefit recipients who are eligible for a postretirement benefit adjustment and the amount of reserves for annuitants and benefit recipients who are not eligible for a postretirement benefit adjustment. If the net amount of required reserves represents a mortality gain, the board shall sell sufficient securities or transfer sufficient available cash to equal the amount. If the amount of required reserves represents a mortality loss, the plan shall transfer an amount equal to the amount of the net mortality loss. The amount of the transfers must be determined before any postretirement benefit adjustments have been made. All transfers resulting from mortality adjustments must be completed annually by December 31 for the preceding June 30. Interest is payable on any transfers after December 31 based upon the preretirement interest assumption for the participating plan or fund as specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8, stated as a monthly rate. Book values of the assets of the fund must be determined only after all adjustments for mortality gains and losses for the fiscal year have been made.

(g) All money necessary to meet the requirements of the certification of withdrawals and all money necessary to pay postretirement adjustments under this section are hereby and from time to time appropriated from the postretirement investment fund to the board.

(h) Annually, following the calculation of any postretirement adjustment payable from the retirement benefit fund, the board of trustees shall submit a report to the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement and to the commissioner of finance indicating the amount of any postretirement adjustment and the underlying calculations on which that postretirement adjustment amount is based, including the amount of dividends, the amount of interest, and the amount of net realized capital gains or losses utilized in the calculations.

(i) With respect to a former contributing member who began receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit under section 422A.151, paragraph (a), clause (2), after June 30, 1997, or with respect to a survivor of a former contributing member who began receiving a survivor benefit under section 422A.151, paragraph (a), clause (2), after June 30, 1997, the reserves attributable to the one percent lower amount of the cost-of-living adjustment payable to those annuity or benefit recipients annually must be transferred back to the deposit accumulation fund to the credit of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The calculation of this annual reduced cost-of-living adjustment reserve transfer must be reviewed by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from June 30, 2008. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 422A.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Service credit purchase.

Any contributor who prior to entering the service of the city was an employee of a public corporation, is authorized, using the procedure in deleted text begin subdivision 5adeleted text end new text begin section 356.551new text end , to purchase allowable service credit in the retirement fund for employment by the public corporation in the same manner as though the service had been rendered to the city, providing that the individual has not received service credit and is not eligible to receive service credit for this period under any other plan or fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3. Before receiving credit for service rendered to a public corporation as herein set forth, the contributing employee shall make application therefor in writing to the retirement board, and shall contribute to the retirement fund the amount specified in deleted text begin subdivision 5adeleted text end new text begin section 356.551new 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.

Laws 1989, chapter 319, article 11, section 13, is amended to read:

Sec. 13.

REPEALER.

Laws 1967, chapter 815; Laws 1978, chapter 683; and Laws 1981, chapter 224, deleted text begin sections 2 and 5deleted text end new text begin section 245new text end , are repealed.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies retroactively from June 2, 1989. new text end

Sec. 6.

Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 14, section 13, is amended to read:

Sec. 13.

REPEALER OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT SPECIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION ANCILLARY BENEFIT LEGISLATION.

Subdivision 1.

Anoka.

Laws 1969, chapter deleted text begin 352deleted text end new text begin 252new text end , section 1, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, and 6, are repealed.

Subd. 2.

Butterfield.

Laws 1975, chapter 185, section 1, is repealed.

Subd. 3.

Coon Rapids.

Laws 1973, chapter 304, section 1, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are repealed.

Subd. 4.

Edina.

(1) Laws 1965, chapter 592, section 3, as deleted text begin amendeddeleted text end new text begin added new text end by Laws 1969, chapter 644, section 2, and new text begin amended by new text end Laws 1975, chapter 229, section 2; (2) Laws 1965, chapter 592, section 4, as deleted text begin amendeddeleted text end new text begin added new text end by Laws 1969, chapter 644, section 2, new text begin and amended by new text end Laws 1975, chapter 229, section 3, Laws 1985, chapter 261, section 37, and Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1; (3) Laws 1985, chapter 261, section 37, as amended by Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1; and (4) Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1, are repealed.

Subd. 5.

Fairmont.

Laws 1967, chapter 575, sections 2, as amended by Laws 1979, chapter 201, section 23; 3; and 4, are repealed.

Subd. 6.

Falcon Heights.

Laws 1969, chapter 526, sections 3; 4; 5, as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 208, section 2; and 7, as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 208, section 3, are repealed.

Subd. 7.

Golden Valley.

Laws 1971, chapter 140, sections 2, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 2; 3, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 3; 4, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 4; and 5, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 5; and Laws 1993, chapter 244, article 4, section 1, are repealed.

Subd. 8.

Wayzata.

Laws 1973, chapter 472, section 1, as amended by Laws 1976, chapter 272, section 1, and Laws 1979, chapter 201, section 33, is repealed.

Subd. 9.

White Bear Lake.

Laws 1971, chapter 214, deleted text begin section 1, subdivisionsdeleted text end new text begin sections new text end 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are repealed.

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.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 356.2165; and 422A.08, subdivision 5a, new text end new text begin are 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 12

ONE PERSON AND SMALL GROUP RETIREMENT PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibilitydeleted text begin ; retirement annuitydeleted text end .

deleted text begin A person who is employed bydeleted text end new text begin This section applies to any employee of new text end the Department of Transportation in the civil service employment classification of aircraft pilot or chief pilotnew text begin ,new text end who is covered new text begin for that employment new text end by the general employee retirement plan deleted text begin of the system under section 352.01, subdivision 23deleted text end , new text begin and new text end who deleted text begin elects thisdeleted text end new text begin elected before June 1, 2008, new text end special retirement coverage under deleted text begin subdivision 3, who is prohibited from performing the duties of aircraft pilot or chief pilot after reaching age 65 by a policy adopted by the commissioner of transportation, anddeleted text end new text begin this section by an irrevocable election on forms provided by the executive director.new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Retirement annuity. new text end

new text begin An eligible person under subdivision 1 new text end who terminates employment as a state employee on or after age 62 but prior to normal retirement age is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity computed under section 352.115, subdivisions 2 and 3, without any reduction for early retirement under section 352.116, subdivision 1.

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 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. deleted text begin 1adeleted text end new text begin 3new text end .

Disability benefits.

An employee described in subdivision 1, deleted text begin who is less than 62 years of age anddeleted text end who becomes disabled and physically or mentally unfit to perform occupational duties due to injury, sickness, or other disability, and who is found disqualified for retention as chief pilot or pilot as a result of a physical examination required by applicable federal laws or regulations, deleted text begin is entitled upon application to disability benefits for a maximum of five years in the amount ofdeleted text end new text begin may submit an application for disability benefits calculated under section 352.113, subdivision 3. In considering the disability benefit application, the executive director must use the disability standard specified in this subdivision rather than the total and permanent standard specified in section 352.113, subdivision 1. If disability benefits commence under section 352.113, subdivision 3, the appointing authority shall also provide payments from the state airports fund, totaling new text end 75 percent of current monthly salarydeleted text begin , to be paid by the appointing authoritydeleted text end new text begin less the amount payable under section 352.113, subdivision 3. Paymentsnew text end from the state airports fundnew text begin must be made for five years or until normal retirement age, whichever is earliernew text end . deleted text begin Disability benefits must not continue after the employee reaches age 62.deleted text end These benefits are in lieu of all other state benefits for the disability, including, but not limited to, workers' compensation benefits.

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 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. deleted text begin 2deleted text end new text begin 4new text end .

Additional contributions.

deleted text begin The special retirement annuity authorized by subdivision 1 shall be financed bydeleted text end An employee new text begin covered by this section must pay an additional employee new text end contribution deleted text begin from the covered aircraft pilot or chief pilotdeleted text end of 1.6 percent deleted text begin and an employer contribution fromdeleted text end new text begin of salary. new text end The Department of Transportation new text begin must pay an additional employer contribution new text end of 1.6 percentnew text begin of salarynew text end . These contributions are in addition to the contributions required by section 352.04, subdivisions 2 and 3. They must be made in the manner provided for 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. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Public employee.

"Public employee" means a governmental employee performing personal services for a governmental subdivision defined in subdivision 6, whose salary is paid, in whole or in part, from revenue derived from taxation, fees, assessments, or from other sources. The term includes the classes of persons described or listed in subdivision 2a. The term also includes persons who elect association membership under subdivision 2d, paragraph (a), and persons for whom the applicable governmental subdivision had elected association membership under subdivision 2d, paragraph (b). deleted text begin The term also includes full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society.deleted text end The term excludes the classes of persons listed in subdivision 2b for purposes of membership in the association.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Included employees.

(a) Public employees whose salary from employment in one or more positions within one governmental subdivision exceeds $425 in any month shall participate as members of the association. If the salary is less than $425 in a subsequent month, the employee retains membership eligibility. Eligible public employees shall participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the public employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire retirement plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, whichever applies, as a condition of their employment on the first day of employment unless they:

(1) are specifically excluded under subdivision 2b;

(2) do not exercise their option to elect retirement coverage in the association as provided in subdivision 2d, paragraph (a); or

(3) are employees of the governmental subdivisions listed in subdivision 2d, paragraph (b), where the governmental subdivision has not elected to participate as a governmental subdivision covered by the association.

(b) A public employee 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) Public employees under paragraph (a) includenew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end physicians under section 353D.01, subdivision 2, who do not elect public employees defined contribution plan coverage under section 353D.02, subdivision 2deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2) full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society; and new text end

new text begin (3) 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 elect Public Employee Retirement Association general plan coverage under section 5. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, 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 Spring Lake Park Fire Department, incorporated, the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department, incorporated, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, the Dakota County Agricultural Society, deleted text begin anddeleted text end Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc.new 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.new 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 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 471.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Officers, employees.

A county, municipal corporation, town, school district, county extension committee, other political subdivision or other body corporate and politic of this state, other than the state or any department of the state, through its governing body, and any two or more subdivisions acting jointly through their governing bodies, may insure or protect its or their officers and employees, and their dependents, or any class or classes of officers, employees, or dependents, under a policy or policies or contract or contracts of group insurance or benefits covering life, health, and accident, in the case of employees, and medical and surgical benefits and hospitalization insurance or benefits for both employees and dependents or dependents of an employee whose death was due to causes arising out of and in the course of employment, or any one or more of those forms of insurance or protection. A governmental unit, including county extension committees and those paying their employees, may pay all or any part of the premiums or charges on the insurance or protection. A payment is deemed to be additional compensation paid to the officers or employees, but for purposes of determining contributions or benefits under a public pension or retirement system it is not deemed to be additional compensation. One or more governmental units may determine that a person is an officer or employee if the person receives income from the governmental subdivisions without regard to the manner of election or appointment, including but not limited to employees of county historical societies that receive funding from the county and employees of the Minnesota Inter-county Association. The appropriate officer of the governmental unit, or those disbursing county extension funds, shall deduct from the salary or wages of each officer and employee who elects to become insured or so protected, on the officer's or employee's written order, all or part of the officer's or employee's share of premiums or charges and remit the share or portion to the insurer or company issuing the policy or contract.

A governmental unit, other than a school district, that pays all or part of the premiums or charges is authorized to levy and collect a tax, if necessary, in the next annual tax levy for the purpose of providing the necessary money for the payment of the premiums or charges, and the sums levied and appropriated are not, in the event the sum exceeds the maximum sum allowed by the charter of a municipal corporation, considered part of the cost of government of the governmental unit as defined in any levy or expenditure limitation; provided at least 50 percent of the cost of benefits on dependents must be contributed by the employee or be paid by levies within existing charter tax limitations.

The word "dependents" as used in this subdivision means spouse and minor unmarried children under the age of 18 years actually dependent upon the employee.

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a political subdivision described in this subdivision may provide health benefits to its employees, dependents, and other eligible persons through negotiated contributions to self-funded multiemployer health and welfare funds. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment; applies to contributions made before, on, or after that date; and is intended as a clarification of existing law. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin PRIOR PENSION PLAN TERMINATION. new text end

new text begin As of the effective date of this section, contributions to the defined contribution or defined benefit pension plan or plans which previously provided primary pension coverage for any individual who elects coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employee Retirement Association under section 5 must terminate and must not be resumed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION; SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353, to the contrary, unless the period to be purchased is credited as allowable service by another retirement plan covered by Minnesota Statutes, section 356.30, or would be ineligible for credit as allowable service under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 16, if the service had been performed after the effective date of this section, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) may purchase allowable service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 16, from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for the period specified in paragraph (c), by making the payment required under paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who began employment as staff to the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association prior to the effective date of this section, and due to that employment became a member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association on the effective date of this section. new text end

new text begin (c) The period of prior service credit available for purchase is the period of employment with the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association, whichever is applicable, which would be includable service under the Public Employees Retirement Association general plan if that service had been performed after the effective date rather than before. new text end

new text begin (d) Except as otherwise stated under this section, Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, applies to this purchase. new text end

new text begin (e) An eligible person may purchase allowable service credit for a portion of the eligible period, resulting in prorated service credit. new text end

new text begin (f) The election to purchase prior service credit under this section must be made in writing and must be filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association. new text end

new text begin (g) This section expires one year after the effective date of this section. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin ELECTION OF COVERAGE. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual who is an employee of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association on the effective date of this section, and who is not excluded under section 353.01, subdivision 2b, due to coverage by the relief association pension plan, may elect prospective coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association under an election as specified in this section. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible individual under paragraph (a) may elect coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association by making an election on a form provided by the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director. For an election to be valid, it must be made within 90 days of the effective date of this section and is irrevocable. new text end

new text begin (c) The Public Employees Retirement Association must provide eligible individuals with information and counseling regarding the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and the implications of electing that coverage. new text end

new text begin (d) If an eligible individual elects not to be covered by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, or if no election is made, the prior coverage, if any, remains unchanged. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin PERA-GENERAL; PURCHASE OF CREDIT FOR OMITTED CONTRIBUTION PERIOD. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled, upon written application filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, to purchase service credit for the period of omitted contributions specified in paragraph (c) by paying the amount determined under paragraph (d). The employer of the eligible person shall pay the amount determined under paragraph (e) within 30 days of being notified by the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director that the eligible person made the person's payment. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born on December 16, 1946; new text end

new text begin (2) was first employed by the city of Elizabeth, Minnesota, municipal liquor store on July 23, 2004; new text end

new text begin (3) was first eligible for coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association in September 2004; new text end

new text begin (4) was not reported as a general employees retirement plan member by the city of Elizabeth, Minnesota, to the Public Employees Retirement Association until January 2005; and new text end

new text begin (5) did not receive service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 12, paragraph (e), in a timely fashion. new text end

new text begin (c) The period of purchasable service credit is that portion of the period September 1, 2004, until January 1, 2005, during which the eligible person was an included employee under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, and during which the required deductions from the compensation of the eligible employee were not made under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (d) The member purchase amount is the amount of the omitted member contributions during the period of purchasable service credit, plus compound annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent from October 15, 2004, to the date on which payment is made. new text end

new text begin (e) The employer purchase amount is either the balance of the full actuarial value purchase payment amount determined under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, remaining after subtracting the amount under paragraph (d) or the amount of the employer and employer additional contributions under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivisions 3 and 3a, plus compound annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent from October 15, 2004, to the date on which payment is made, whichever is larger. If the employer fails to pay the employer purchase amount in a timely fashion, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall certify the unpaid amount, plus monthly compound interest at the rate of 0.71 percent for the period, to the commissioners of finance and revenue, who shall deduct the unpaid amount from any state aid or state transfers that the employing unit is eligible to receive and shall transmit the amount to the Public Employees Retirement Association. new text end

new text begin (f) Purchase authority under this section expires on July 1, 2010. 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.

new text begin PERA-GENERAL AND TRA; ANNUITY APPLICATION REVOCATION. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible person specified in paragraph (b) may elect to revoke retirement annuity applications as provided in paragraph (c). The election must be made in writing and must be filed with the executive director of the applicable retirement plan. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born in 1943; new text end

new text begin (2) was employed as publications editor for St. Cloud State University for twenty years, ending in 1998, and was covered by virtue of that employment by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; new text end

new text begin (3) retired from the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System in 2007; new text end

new text begin (4) was employed by the Underwood, Minnesota, municipal liquor store in early 2008, terminated that employment on April 18, 2008, applied for a retirement annuity from the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and from the Teachers Retirement Association under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.30, in April or May 2008, and was subsequently reemployed by the municipal liquor store on or about May 20, 2008; and new text end

new text begin (5) was informed by the Public Employees Retirement Association of a retirement annuity overpayment of $349.65 on July 22, 2008. new text end

new text begin (c) If elected, the eligible person may revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, or revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from the Teachers Retirement Association, or revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from both retirement plans. If a retirement application is revoked, the person's retirement annuity ends, the entitlement of the person to a future retirement annuity is restored, and that future retirement annuity amount must be adjusted by subtracting the total value of the retirement annuity amounts received from that retirement plan from the actuarial present value of the eligible person's future annuity without adjustment, calculated based on the mortality table for retired lives of the applicable retirement plan and 8.5 percent interest rate assumption, and determining the adjusted annuity amount from the remaining actuarial present value amount using the same interest and mortality assumption. 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.

new text begin MSRS-GENERAL AND PERA-GENERAL; PLAN MEMBERSHIP EXCLUSION AND DEFERRED ANNUITY AUGMENTATION. new text end

new text begin (a) A qualified person described in paragraph (b) may, upon written application filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, elect retroactive exclusion from coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for any period of teacher assistant service for Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, and qualification for deferred annuities augmentation for the retroactively excluded period. new text end

new text begin (b) A qualified person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born on January 17, 1951; new text end

new text begin (2) was employed by Ramsey County from January 20, 1975, to June 22, 1999; new text end

new text begin (3) was employed by the state of Minnesota from June 22, 1999, to April 4, 2006; and new text end

new text begin (4) was employed by Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, as a teacher assistant following terminating state employment from December 13, 2007, to June 6, 2008. new text end

new text begin (c) If the retroactive exclusion is elected, all member and employer contributions to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association made with respect to Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, teacher assistant employment must be refunded with interest under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, and the qualified person is entitled, if otherwise eligible, for deferred annuities augmentation from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and from the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for the period of retroactive exclusion. new text end

new text begin (d) Authority to make the election under this section expires September 1, 2009. 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. 14.

new text begin MSRS-GENERAL; EXCEPTION TO DISABILITY BENEFIT APPLICATION DEADLINE. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), to the contrary, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled to file a disability benefit application with the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System and, if otherwise qualified under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.113, receive a disability benefit from the retirement plan. 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 8, 1966; new text end

new text begin (2) was an employee of the Minnesota Veterans Home at Silver Bay, Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (3) terminated state employment on July 25, 2007; new text end

new text begin (4) attempted to apply for a disability benefit in February 2008; new text end

new text begin (5) had a request to apply for a disability benefit denied by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System on April 3, 2008; new text end

new text begin (6) appealed the executive director's decision to the Minnesota State Retirement System board of directors on April 24, 2008; and new text end

new text begin (7) had the appeal to the Minnesota State Retirement System board of directors denied on August 4, 2008. new text end

new text begin (c) This section expires on June 1, 2010. 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.

new text begin MSRS-GENERAL; ALLOWABLE SERVICE CREDIT REVISION FOR JOB-SHARE EMPLOYEES. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible person as described in paragraph (b) is entitled to have any partial month allowable service credit in the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for part-time employment as a job-share employee revised to be identical to allowable service credit for part-time state employment under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.01, subdivision 11, that was not rendered as a job-share employee. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person: new text end

new text begin (1) is an active member of the general state employees retirement plan or a retired member of the general state employees retirement plan; new text end

new text begin (2) was employed in the demonstration job-sharing project under Laws 1980, chapter 572, or in the job-sharing program under Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 43A.41 to 43A.46; new text end

new text begin (3) was employed in the demonstration job-sharing project or in the job-sharing program for one-half of full time; and new text end

new text begin (4) received partial month allowable service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.01, subdivision 11. new text end

new text begin (c) To have allowable service credit revised under this section, an eligible person shall provide the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System any relevant documentation that the executive director requests. new text end

new text begin (d) If the eligible person is a retired member of the general state employees retirement plan, the person's retirement annuity must be recomputed based on the revised service credit under this section and the recomputed retirement annuity is payable on the first day of the month next following the effective date of this section. new text end

new text begin (e) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to authorize the crediting of more than one year of allowable service during any 12-month period or to authorize the payment of any retroactive recomputed retirement annuity amounts. 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.

new text begin HENNEPIN COUNTY EMPLOYEE WAIVER OF SERVICE REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 353.33, subdivision 1, an eligible person specified in paragraph (b) is authorized to submit an application for disability benefits from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association. new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible person is a person who: new text end

new text begin (1) was born May 6, 1972; new text end

new text begin (2) was employed by Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin, from September 11, 1995, to August 6, 1996; new text end

new text begin (3) was employed by Hennepin County from July 31, 2000, to December 30, 2004; new text end

new text begin (4) was again employed by Hennepin County starting April 2, 2007, with the most recent employment position being a principal child support officer; new text end

new text begin (5) has service credit with the Public Employees Retirement Association due to the employment under clauses (2), (3), and (4); and new text end

new text begin (6) has had several leaves from Hennepin County employment of a medical-related nature. new text end

new text begin (c) If an eligible person under paragraph (b) files a valid application, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall determine whether that eligible person qualifies to receive a disability benefit under the laws and procedures applicable to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association. new text end

new text begin (d) This section expires one year after the effective date of this section. 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.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor May 20, 2009

Signed by the governor May 22, 2009, 4:12 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes