The bill HB343 amends the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County by revising the eligibility criteria for participation in the pension plan. It removes the previous requirement that tied eligibility to an employee's civil service classification with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County. Instead, it mandates that all eligible full-time employees hired on or after October 1, 2025, must become members of the retirement system and contribute to it, while allowing part-time employees and those elected or appointed to full-time county offices the option to join. The bill also clarifies the definitions of various employee classifications and specifies exclusions for certain individuals, such as temporary employees and independent contractors.

Additionally, the bill introduces technical revisions to update existing code language, including changing "shall" to "may" in certain definitions, which may alter the intent of the language. It further details the calculation of "415 compensation," clarifies conditions for unpaid membership time, and reaffirms the roles of the pension board and trust fund management. Overall, HB343 aims to streamline the membership process, enhance clarity regarding employee contributions and benefits, and ensure that members understand their rights within the retirement system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-37-123, 45-37-123
Enrolled: 45-37-123, 45-37-123