This bill aims to allow public transit authorities in Arkansas to become participating public employers, enabling their employees to join the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System (APERS). To facilitate this, the bill amends existing definitions within the Arkansas Code. Specifically, it adds public transit authority employees to the definition of "nonstate employees" and includes public transit authorities in the definition of "participating public employer."

Additionally, the bill introduces a new definition for "public transit authority," describing it as a public governmental entity formed under the Public Transit System Act that has opted to participate in APERS through a majority vote of its board of directors. These changes are intended to enhance the retirement benefits available to employees of public transit authorities, aligning them with other public sector employees in the state.

Statutes affected:
HB 1268: 24-4-101(28), 24-4-101(30), 24-4-101