Bill RBH No. 15134 amends the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) by redefining eligibility criteria for membership and service credit, particularly for employees of county extension agents and district attorney's offices. It mandates that these employees automatically become members of the System unless they are part of a county retirement system. The bill also clarifies the status of employees from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and allows participation for employees of the Legislative Service Bureau during regular sessions. Significant changes include an expanded definition of "military service," which now includes service during federal draft laws, and the removal of specific historical dates that previously defined eligible military service periods.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to retirement, such as "retirant," "retirement benefit," and "elected service," and specifies that military service credit will only be considered "participating service" if it is immediately preceded and followed by employment with a participating employer. It establishes a maximum military service credit of five years and clarifies that it is a non-fiscal bill as defined by the Oklahoma Public Law and Administrative Accountability Act (OPLAAA). The new definitions will take effect on October 1, 2026, for Section 1 and November 1, 2026, for Section 2, aiming to enhance clarity and streamline the eligibility process within the retirement system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 62-3103, 74-902