The bill amends Sections 16-25-26 and 36-27-8.2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, specifically addressing the conditions under which retirees from the Teachers' Retirement System and the Employees' Retirement System can serve in elected public office without losing their retirement benefits. The new legal language allows retirees to serve for their full compensation in elected positions at the state, county, or municipal level without suspension of their retirement benefits. However, it stipulates that they cannot accrue additional benefits from the retirement systems for that service, and those whose retirement is based on service as elected officials cannot receive both pension benefits and salary. The bill also clarifies that local elected superintendents of education are subject to the same rules regarding compensation limits.

Additionally, the bill removes previous conditions that required elected officials' participation in the retirement systems to be on the same terms as other employees, provided their compensation does not exceed annual earning limits. The annual earning limit will continue to be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill also includes provisions for retired employees of the Employees' Retirement System who have law enforcement training to work as school resource officers or correctional officers without losing their retirement benefits, as long as their compensation does not exceed $52,000 per year. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-25-26, 36-27-8
Engrossed: 16-25-26, 36-27-8
Enrolled: 16-25-26, 36-27-8