This bill amends the Kansas public employees retirement system by redefining the classification of teachers and transferring their membership from the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2015 to the act of 2009. Specifically, it establishes that any teacher first employed by a participating employer on or after July 1, 2025, will be a member of the 2009 act. Additionally, all active and inactive teacher members currently enrolled in the 2015 act will have their membership transferred to the 2009 act on January 1, 2026. The bill ensures that all contributions and service credits prior to this date will be honored under the new system, and teachers will retain their rights and benefits.

The bill also includes provisions for the management of employer contributions and interest to facilitate this transfer without affecting the system's compliance with federal regulations. It clarifies the definition of "teacher" for the purposes of the retirement system and outlines the obligations of participating employers regarding the transferred teachers. Furthermore, it repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 74-49,301, which pertains to the 2015 act, thereby consolidating the retirement framework for teachers under the 2009 act.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-49, 74-4901