Journal of the House - 52nd Day Part 1- Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A quorum was present.

The Speaker assumed the chair.

Solberg was excused.

Benson was excused until 11:45 a.m. Clark was excused until 1:40 p.m.

The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day. Peppin moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with and that the Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. The motion prevailed.

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REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

S. F. No. 80 and H. F. No. 1206, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Simon moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 80 be substituted for H. F. No. 1206 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 203 and H. F. No. 120, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Hosch moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 203 be substituted for H. F. No. 120 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 548 and H. F. No. 695, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Hilstrom moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 548 be substituted for H. F. No. 695 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 722 and H. F. No. 954, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Lesch moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 722 be substituted for H. F. No. 954 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 848 and H. F. No. 729, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Poppe moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 848 be substituted for H. F. No. 729 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 1436 and H. F. No. 1639, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Morrow moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1436 be substituted for H. F. No. 1639 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

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S. F. No. 1890 and H. F. No. 1322, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Thissen moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1890 be substituted for H. F. No. 1322 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

S. F. Nos. 80, 203, 548, 722, 848, 1436 and 1890 were read for the second time.

Sertich moved that the House recess subject to the call of the Chair. The motion prevailed.

RECESS

RECONVENED

The House reconvened and was called to order by Speaker pro tempore Hortman.

There being no objection, the order of business reverted to Reports of Standing Committees and Divisions.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 354, A bill for an act relating to real property; providing for mediation prior to commencement of mortgage foreclosure proceedings on homestead property; creating a homestead-lender mediation account; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 357.18, subdivision 1; 508.82, subdivision 1; 508A.82, subdivision 1; 580.021; 580.022, subdivision 1; 580.23, by adding a subdivision; 582.30, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 583.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 9, line 12, delete everything after "REQUIRED" and insert a period

Page 9, delete line 13

Page 9, delete subdivision 3 and insert:

"Subd. 3. Creditor's bad faith. If the mediator finds that the creditor has not participated in the mediation in good faith, and the creditor continues with the foreclosure proceeding, then the debtor shall be a allowed a six-month redemption period."

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Page 10, delete subdivision 4 and insert:

"Subd. 4. Debtor's lack of good faith. If the mediator finds that the debtor has not participated in the mediation in good faith, and the creditor continues with the foreclosure proceeding, then the debtor shall execute a deed in lieu of foreclosure within 90 days of the filing of the mediator's affidavit containing the finding of bad faith."

Page 10, delete subdivision 5

Page 12, line 26, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012"

Page 12, line 27, delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 12, line 29, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 14, line 11, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012"

Page 14, line 12, delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 14, line 17, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 14, line 26, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012"

Page 14, line 28, delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 14, line 33, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 15, line 6, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012" and delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 15, line 13, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 18, line 3, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012" and delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 18, line 9, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 18, line 18, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012"

Page 18, line 20, delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 18, line 25, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 18, line 35, delete "December 31, 2014" and insert "July 1, 2012" and delete "$50" and insert "$49"

Page 19, line 7, delete "$4" and insert "$3"

Page 21, line 11, delete "a special revenue" and insert "an" and delete "general" and insert "special revenue"

Amend the title as follows:

Page 1, line 4, after the semicolon, insert "appropriating money;"

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 723, A bill for an act relating to retirement; various retirement plans; making various statutory changes needed to accommodate the dissolution of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund; redefining the value of pension plan assets for actuarial reporting purposes; revising various disability benefit provisions of the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, and the State Patrol retirement plan; making various administrative provision changes; establishing a voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association; revising various volunteer firefighters' relief association provisions; correcting 2008 drafting errors related to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund and other drafting errors; granting special retirement benefit authority in certain cases; revising the special transportation pilots retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; expanding the membership of the state correctional employees retirement plan; extending the amortization target date for the Fairmont Police Relief Association; modifying the number of board of trustees members of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association; increasing state education aid to offset teacher retirement plan employer contribution increases; increasing teacher retirement plan member and employer contributions; revising the normal retirement age and providing prospective benefit accrual rate increases for teacher retirement plans; permitting the Brimson Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association to implement a different board of trustees composition; permitting employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the Minneapolis Police Relief Association to become members of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; creating a two-year demonstration postretirement adjustment mechanism for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association; creating a temporary postretirement option program for employees covered by the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; setting a statute of limitations for erroneous receipts of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; permitting the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System board to create an early separation incentive program; permitting certain Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty members to make a second chance retirement coverage election upon achieving tenure; including the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc., in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; extending the approval deadline date for the inclusion of the Clearwater County Hospital in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; requiring a report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 3A.02, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 3A.03, by adding a subdivision; 3A.04, by adding a subdivision; 3A.115; 11A.08, subdivision 1; 11A.17, subdivisions 1, 2; 11A.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 43A.34, subdivision 4; 43A.346, subdivisions 2, 6; 69.011, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 69.021, subdivisions 7, 9; 69.031, subdivisions 1, 5; 69.77, subdivision 4; 69.771, subdivision 3; 69.772, subdivisions 4, 6; 69.773, subdivision 6; 127A.50, subdivision 1; 299A.465, subdivision 1; 352.01, subdivision 2b, by adding subdivisions; 352.021, by adding a subdivision; 352.04, subdivisions 1, 12; 352.061; 352.113, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 352.115, by adding a subdivision; 352.12, by adding a subdivision; 352.75, subdivisions 3, 4; 352.86, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2; 352.91, subdivision 3d; 352.911, subdivisions 3, 5; 352.93, by adding a subdivision; 352.931, by adding a subdivision; 352.95, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 352B.02, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1c, 1d; 352B.08, by adding a subdivision; 352B.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; 352B.11, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 352C.10; 352D.06, subdivision 1; 352D.065, by adding a subdivision; 352D.075, by adding a subdivision; 353.01, subdivisions 2, 2a, 6, 11b, 16, 16b; 353.0161, subdivision 1; 353.03, subdivision 3a; 353.06; 353.27, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 7, 7b; 353.29, by adding a subdivision; 353.31, subdivision 1b, by adding a subdivision; 353.33, subdivisions 1, 3b, 7, 11, 12, by adding subdivisions; 353.65, subdivisions 2, 3; 353.651, by adding a subdivision; 353.656, subdivision 5a, by adding a subdivision; 353.657, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 353.665, subdivision 3; 353A.02, subdivisions 14, 23; 353A.05, subdivisions 1, 2; 353A.08, subdivisions 1, 3, 6a; 353A.081, subdivision 2; 353A.09, subdivision 1; 353A.10, subdivisions 2, 3; 353E.01, subdivisions 3, 5; 353E.04, by adding a subdivision; 353E.06, by adding a subdivision; 353E.07, by adding a subdivision; 353F.02, subdivision 4; 354.05, subdivision 38, by adding a subdivision; 354.07, subdivision 4; 354.33, subdivision 5; 354.35, by adding a subdivision; 354.42, subdivisions 1a, 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 354.44, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, by adding a subdivision; 354.46, by adding a subdivision; 354.47, subdivision 1; 354.48, subdivisions 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 354.49, subdivision 2; 354.52, subdivisions 2a, 4b; 354.55, subdivisions 11, 13; 354.66, subdivision 6; 354.70, subdivisions 5, 6; 354A.011, subdivision 15a; 354A.096; 354A.12,

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subdivisions 1, 2a, by adding subdivisions; 354A.29, subdivision 3; 354A.31, subdivisions 4, 4a, 7; 354A.36, subdivision 6; 354B.21, subdivision 2; 356.20, subdivision 2; 356.215, subdivisions 1, 11; 356.219, subdivision 3; 356.315, by adding a subdivision; 356.32, subdivision 2; 356.351, subdivision 2; 356.401, subdivisions 2, 3; 356.465, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 356.611, subdivisions 3, 4; 356.635, subdivisions 6, 7; 356.96, subdivisions 1, 5; 422A.06, subdivision 8; 422A.08, subdivision 5; 423C.03, subdivision 1; 424A.001, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 424A.01; 424A.02, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 7, 8, 9, 9a, 9b, 10, 12, 13; 424A.021; 424A.03; 424A.04; 424A.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 424A.06; 424A.07; 424A.08; 424A.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 424B.10, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 424B.21; 490.123, subdivisions 1, 3; 490.124, by adding a subdivision; Laws 1989, chapter 319, article 11, section 13; Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 5, section 5, as amended; Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 14, section 13; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 136F; 352B; 353; 354; 356; 420; 424A; 424B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 11A.041; 11A.18; 11A.181; 352.119, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 352.86, subdivision 3; 352B.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11; 352B.26, subdivisions 1, 3; 353.271; 353A.02, subdivision 20; 353A.09, subdivisions 2, 3; 354.05, subdivision 26; 354.06, subdivision 6; 354.55, subdivision 14; 354.63; 354A.29, subdivisions 2, 4, 5; 356.2165; 356.41; 356.431, subdivision 2; 422A.01, subdivision 13; 422A.06, subdivision 4; 422A.08, subdivision 5a; 424A.001, subdivision 7; 424A.02, subdivisions 4, 6, 8a, 8b, 9b; 424A.09; 424B.10, subdivision 1; 490.123, subdivisions 1c, 1e.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

MINNESOTA POSTRETIREMENT INVESTMENT FUND DISSOLUTION ACCOMMODATION

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Appropriation. The amounts required for payment of retirement allowances provided by this section are appropriated annually to the director from the ~~participation of the~~ legislators retirement ~~plan in the Minnesota postretirement investment~~ fund or from the general fund as provided in section 3A.115. The retirement allowance ~~must be paid~~ is payable monthly to the recipients entitled to those retirement allowances.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A retirement allowance under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Legislators retirement fund. (a) The legislators retirement fund, a special retirement fund, is created within the state treasury and must be credited with assets equal to the participation of the legislators retirement plan in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2009, and any investment proceeds on those assets.

(b) The payment of annuities under section 3A.115, paragraph (b), is appropriated from the legislators retirement fund.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2a. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3A.115, is amended to read:

3A.115 RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE APPROPRIATION; POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT.

(a) The amount necessary to fund the retirement allowance granted under this chapter to a former legislator ~~upon retirement~~ retiring after June 30, 2003, is appropriated from the general fund to the director to pay pension obligations due to the retiree.

(b) The amount necessary to fund the retirement allowance granted under this chapter to a former legislator retiring before July 1, 2003, must be paid from the legislators retirement fund created under section 3A.03, subdivision 3, until the assets of the fund are exhausted and at that time, the amount necessary to fund the retirement allowances under this paragraph is appropriated from the general fund to the director to pay pension obligations to the retiree.

(c) Retirement allowances payable to retired legislators and their survivors under this chapter must be adjusted ~~in the same manner, at the same times, and in the same amounts as are benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund to retirees of a participating public pension fund~~ as provided in sections 3A.02, subdivision 6, and 356.415.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Membership. There is created an Investment Advisory Council consisting of 17 members. Ten of these members ~~shall~~ must be experienced in general investment matters. ~~They shall be appointed by the state board~~ The state board must appoint the ten members. The other seven members ~~shall be~~ are: the commissioner of finance; the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System; the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association; the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association; a retiree currently receiving benefits from ~~the postretirement investment fund~~ a statewide retirement plan; and two public employees who are active members of funds whose assets are invested by the state board. The governor must appoint the retiree and the public employees ~~shall be appointed by the governor~~ for four-year terms.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Certification of assets not needed for immediate use. Each executive director administering a retirement fund or plan enumerated in subdivision 4 shall, from time to time, certify to the state board for investment those portions of the assets of the retirement fund or plan which in the judgment of the executive director are not required for immediate use. Assets of the fund or plan required for participation in the Minnesota postretirement adjustment fund, the combined investment fund, or the supplemental investment fund shall be transferred to those funds as provided by sections 11A.01 to 11A.25.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Investment. Retirement fund assets certified to the state board ~~pursuant to~~ under subdivision 1 ~~shall~~ must be invested by the state board subject to the provisions of section 11A.24. Retirement fund assets transferred to ~~the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,~~ the combined investment fund or the supplemental investment fund ~~shall~~ must be invested by the state board as part of those funds.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.021, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5. Determining applicable law. An annuity under this chapter must be computed under the law in effect as of the last day for which the employee receives pay, or if on medical leave, the day that the leave terminates. However, if the employee has returned to covered employment following a termination, the employee must have earned at least six months of allowable service following a return to employment as a state employee in order to qualify for improved benefits resulting from any law change enacted subsequent to that termination.

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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Fund created. ~~(a)~~ There is created a special fund to be known as the general state employees retirement fund. In that fund, employee contributions, employer contributions, and other amounts authorized by law must be deposited.

(b) The general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System must participate in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. The amounts provided in section 352.119 must be deposited in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.04, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12. Fund disbursement restricted. The general state employees retirement fund ~~and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ must be disbursed only for the purposes provided by law. The expenses of the system and any benefits provided by law~~, other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,~~ must be paid from the general state employees retirement fund. The retirement allowances, retirement annuities, and disability benefits, as well as refunds of any sum remaining to the credit of a deceased retired employee or a disabled employee must be paid ~~only~~ from the general state employees retirement fund ~~after the needs have been certified and the amounts withdrawn from the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund under section 11A.18~~. The amounts necessary to make the payments from the general state employees retirement fund ~~and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ are annually appropriated from ~~these funds~~ that fund for those purposes.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.061, is amended to read:

352.061 INVESTMENT BOARD TO INVEST FUNDS.

The director shall, from time to time, certify to the State Board of Investment any portions of the state employees retirement fund that in the judgment of the director are not required for immediate use. ~~Assets from the state employees retirement fund must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 11A.18.~~ The State Board of Investment shall invest and reinvest sums so ~~transferred, or~~ certified, in securities that are duly authorized legal investments under section 11A.24.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.113, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 13. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.115, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A retirement annuity under this section and section 352.116 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2c. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under subdivision 2, 2a, or 2b is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.75, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Existing retired members and benefit recipients. As of July 1, 1978, the liability for all retirement annuities, disability benefits, survivorship annuities, and survivor of deceased active employee benefits paid or payable by the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund is transferred to the Minnesota State Retirement System, and is no longer the liability of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund. The required reserves for retirement annuities, disability benefits, and optional joint and survivor annuities in effect on June 30, 1978, and the required reserves for the increase in annuities and benefits provided under subdivision 6 must be determined using a five percent interest assumption and the applicable Minnesota State Retirement System mortality table and shall be transferred by the Minnesota State Retirement System to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund on July 1, 1978, but shall be considered transferred as of June 30, 1978. The annuity or benefit amount in effect on July 1, 1978, including the increase granted under subdivision 6, must be used for adjustments made under section 11A.18. For persons receiving benefits as survivors of deceased former retirement annuitants, the benefits must be considered as having commenced on the date on which the retirement annuitant began receiving the retirement annuity.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.75, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Existing deferred retirees. Any former member of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund is entitled to a retirement annuity from the Minnesota State Retirement System if the employee:

(1) is not an active employee of the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission on July 1, 1978; (2) has at least ten years of active continuous service with the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission as defined by the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement plan document in effect on December 31, 1977; (3) has not received a refund of contributions; (4) has not retired or begun receiving an annuity or benefit from the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund; (5) is at least 55 years old; and (6) submits a valid application for a retirement annuity to the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

The person is entitled to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal old age retirement allowance calculated under the former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund plan document in effect on December 31, 1977, subject to an early retirement reduction or adjustment in amount on account of retirement before the normal retirement age specified in that former Metropolitan Transit Commission-Transit Operating Division employees retirement fund plan document.

The deferred retirement annuity of any person to whom this subdivision applies must be augmented. The required reserves applicable to the deferred retirement annuity, determined as of the date the allowance begins to accrue using an appropriate mortality table and an interest assumption of five percent, must be augmented by interest at the rate of five percent per year compounded annually from January 1, 1978, to January 1, 1981, and three percent per year compounded annually from January 1, 1981, to the first day of the month in which the annuity begins to accrue. ~~Upon~~ After the commencement of the retirement annuity, the ~~required reserves for the~~ annuity ~~must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund in accordance with subdivision 2 and section 352.119~~ is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415. On applying for a retirement annuity under this subdivision, the person is entitled to elect a joint and survivor optional annuity under section 352.116, subdivision 3.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.911, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Investment. ~~The correctional employees retirement fund shall participate in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund and in that fund there shall be deposited the amounts provided in section 352.119.~~ The ~~balance of any~~ assets of the fund ~~shall~~ must be deposited in the Minnesota combined investment funds as provided in section 11A.14, if applicable, or otherwise under section 11A.23.

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Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.911, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Fund disbursement restricted. The correctional employees retirement fund ~~and its share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund shall~~ must be disbursed only for the purposes provided for in the applicable provisions in this chapter. The proportional share of the expenses of the system and any benefits provided in ~~sections~~ section 352.90 ~~to 352.951, other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, shall~~ must be paid from the correctional employees retirement fund. The retirement allowances, retirement annuities, the disability benefits, the survivorship benefits, and any refunds of accumulated deductions ~~shall~~ must be paid ~~only~~ from the correctional employees retirement fund ~~after those needs have been certified by the executive director and the amounts withdrawn from the share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement fund under section 11A.18~~. The amounts necessary to make the payments from the correctional employees retirement fund ~~and the participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ are annually appropriated from ~~those funds~~ that fund for those purposes.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.93, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A retirement annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.931, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 8. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:

Subd. 1d. Fund revenue and expenses. The amounts provided for in this section must be credited to the State Patrol retirement fund. All money received must be deposited by the commissioner of finance in the State Patrol retirement fund. The fund must be used to pay the administrative expenses of the retirement fund, and the benefits and annuities provided in this chapter. ~~Appropriate amounts shall be transferred to or withdrawn from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 352B.26.~~

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A retirement annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.11, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2e. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under subdivision 2, 2b, or 2c is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

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Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352C.10, is amended to read:

352C.10 BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS.

Retirement allowances payable to retired constitutional officers and surviving spouse benefits payable must be adjusted ~~in the same manner, at the same times and in the same amounts as are benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund to retirees of a participating public pension fund~~ under section 356.415.

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Annuity; reserves. When a participant attains at least age 55, terminates from covered service, and applies for a retirement annuity, the cash value of the participant's shares ~~shall~~ must be transferred to the ~~Minnesota postretirement investment~~ general state employees retirement fund and must be used to provide an annuity for the retired employee based upon the participant's age when the benefit begins to accrue according to the reserve basis used by the general state employees retirement plan in determining pensions and reserves. The annuity under this subdivision is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.065, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3a. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352D.075, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2b. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.06, is amended to read:

353.06 STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT TO INVEST FUNDS.

The executive director shall from time to time certify to the State Board of Investment for investment such portions of the retirement fund as in its judgment may not be required for immediate use. ~~Assets from the public employees retirement fund shall be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as provided in section 11A.18.~~ The State Board of Investment shall thereupon invest and reinvest the sum so certified, or transferred, in such securities as are duly authorized as legal investments for state employees retirement fund and shall have authority to sell, convey, and exchange such securities and invest and reinvest the securities when it deems it desirable to do so and shall sell securities upon request of the board of trustees when such funds are needed for its purposes. All of the provisions regarding accounting procedures and restrictions and conditions for the purchase and sale of securities ~~for the state employees retirement fund shall~~ under chapter 11A must apply to the accounting, purchase and sale of securities for the public employees retirement fund.

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Income; disbursements. There is a special fund known as the "public employees retirement fund," the "retirement fund," or the "fund," which ~~shall~~ must include all the assets of the association. This fund ~~shall~~ must be credited with all contributions, all interest and all other income authorized by law. From this fund there is appropriated the payments authorized by this chapter in the amounts and at such time provided herein, including the expenses of administering the fund~~, and including the proper share of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~.

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. An annuity under this section or section 353.30 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

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Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.31, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b. Joint and survivor option. (a) Prior to payment of a surviving spouse benefit under subdivision 1, the surviving spouse may elect to receive the 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity under section 353.32, subdivision 1a, rather than a surviving spouse benefit.

(b) If there is a dependent child or children, and the 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity for the surviving spouse, when added to the dependent children's benefit under subdivisions 1 and 1a, exceeds an amount equal to 70 percent of the member's specified average monthly salary, the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity under section 353.32, subdivision 1a, must be reduced by the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount under subdivision 1a.

(c) The 100 percent joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored to the surviving spouse, plus applicable postretirement ~~fund~~ adjustments under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41, through January 1, 2009, and thereafter under section 356.415, as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 12. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under subdivision 1 or 1b or section 353.32, subdivision 1a, 1b, or 1c is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

Subd. 3b. Optional annuity election. A disabled member may elect to receive the normal disability benefit or an optional annuity under section 353.30, subdivision 3. The election of an optional annuity must be made prior to the commencement of payment of the disability benefit. The optional annuity must begin to accrue on the same date as provided for the disability benefit.

(1) If a person who is not the spouse of a member is named as beneficiary of the joint and survivor optional annuity, the person is eligible to receive the annuity only if the spouse, on the disability application form prescribed by the executive director, permanently waives the surviving spouse benefits under sections 353.31, subdivision 1, and 353.32, subdivision 1a. If the spouse of the member refuses to permanently waive the surviving spouse coverage, the selection of a person other than the spouse of the member as a joint annuitant is invalid.

(2) If the spouse of the member permanently waives survivor coverage, the dependent children, if any, continue to be eligible for survivor benefits under section 353.31, subdivision 1, including the minimum benefit in section 353.31, subdivision 1a. The designated optional annuity beneficiary may draw the monthly benefit; however, the amount payable to the dependent child or children and joint annuitant must not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1a. If the maximum is exceeded, the benefit of the joint annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount.

(3) If the spouse is named as the beneficiary of the joint and survivor optional annuity, the spouse may draw the monthly benefits; however, the amount payable to the dependent child or children and the joint annuitant must not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1a. If the maximum is exceeded, each dependent child will receive ten percent of the member's specified average monthly salary, and the benefit to the joint annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the 70 percent maximum family benefit amount. The joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored to the surviving spouse, plus applicable postretirement adjustments under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41 or section 356.415, as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Partial reemployment. If, following a work or non-work-related injury or illness, a disabled person who remains totally and permanently disabled as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 19, has income from employment that is not substantial gainful activity and the rate of earnings from that employment are less than the salary rate at the date of disability or the salary rate currently paid for positions similar to the employment position held by the disabled person immediately before becoming disabled, whichever is greater, the executive director shall continue the disability benefit in an amount that, when added to the earnings and any workers' compensation benefit, does not exceed the salary rate at the date of disability or the salary currently paid for positions similar to the employment position held by the disabled person immediately before becoming disabled, whichever is higher. The disability benefit under this subdivision may not exceed the disability benefit originally allowed, plus any postretirement adjustments payable after December 31, 1988, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18, subdivision 10, or Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41, through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415. No deductions for the retirement fund may be taken from the salary of a disabled person who is receiving a disability benefit as provided in this subdivision.

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 13. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.651, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.656, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a. Cessation of disability benefit. (a) The association shall cease the payment of any disability benefit the first of the month following the reinstatement of a member to full time or less than full-time service in a position covered by the police and fire fund.

(b) A disability benefit paid to a disabled member of the police and fire plan, that was granted under laws in effect after June 30, 2007, terminates at the end of the month in which the member:

(1) reaches normal retirement age;

(2) if the disability benefit is payable for a 60-month period as determined under subdivisions 1 and 3, as applicable, the first of the month following the expiration of the 60-month period; or

(3) if the disabled member so chooses, the end of the month in which the member has elected to convert to an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, subdivision 4.

(c) If the police and fire plan member continues to be disabled when the disability benefit terminates under this subdivision, the member is deemed to be retired. The individual is entitled to receive a normal retirement annuity or an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, whichever is applicable, as further specified in paragraph (d) or (e). If the individual did not previously elect an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), the individual may elect an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, paragraph (b).

(d) A member of the police and fire plan who is receiving a disability benefit under this section may, upon application, elect to receive an early retirement annuity under section 353.651, subdivision 4, at any time after attaining age 50, but must convert to a retirement annuity no later than the end of the month in which the disabled

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member attains normal retirement age. An early retirement annuity elected under this subdivision must be calculated on the disabled member's accrued years of service and average salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 17a, and when elected, the member is deemed to be retired.

(e) When an individual's benefit is recalculated as a retirement annuity under this section, the annuity must be based on clause (1) or clause (2), whichever provides the greater amount:

(1) the benefit amount at the time of reclassification, including all prior adjustments provided under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18, through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415; or

(2) a benefit amount computed on the member's actual years of accrued allowable service credit and the law in effect at the time the disability benefit first accrued, plus any increases that would have applied since that date under section Minnesota Statutes 2008, 11A.18, through January 1, 2009, and thereafter as provided in section 356.415.

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.656, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.657, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Maximum and minimum family benefits. (a) The maximum monthly benefit per family must not exceed the following percentages of the member's average monthly salary as specified in subdivision 3:

(1) 80 percent, if the member's death was a line of duty death; or

(2) 70 percent, if the member's death was not a line of duty death or occurred while the member was receiving a disability benefit that accrued before July 1, 2007.

(b) The minimum monthly benefit per family, including the joint and survivor optional annuity under subdivision 2a, and section 353.656, subdivision 1a, must not be less than the following percentage of the member's average monthly salary as specified in subdivision 3:

(1) 60 percent, if the death was a line of duty death; or

(2) 50 percent, if the death was not a line of duty death or occurred while the member was receiving a disability benefit that accrued before July 1, 2007.

(c) If the maximum under paragraph (a) is exceeded, the monthly benefit of the joint annuitant must be reduced to the amount necessary so that the total family benefit does not exceed the applicable maximum. The joint and survivor optional annuity must be restored, plus applicable postretirement adjustments under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.41 or section 356.415, as the dependent child or children become no longer dependent under section 353.01, subdivision 15.

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.657, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.665, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Transfer of assets. Unless the municipality has elected to retain the consolidation account under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), the assets of the former local police or fire consolidation account must be transferred and upon transfer, the actuarial value of the assets of a former local police or fire consolidation account less an

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amount equal to the residual assets as determined under subdivision 7, paragraph (f), are the assets of the public employees police and fire fund as of July 1, 1999. The participation of a consolidation account in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund becomes part of the participation of the public employees police and fire fund in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. The ~~remaining~~ assets, excluding the amounts for distribution under subdivision 7, paragraph (f), become an asset of the public employees police and fire fund. The public employees police and fire fund also must be credited as an asset with the amount of receivable assets under subdivision 7, paragraph (e).

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.02, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14. Ineligible investments. "Ineligible investments" means any investment security or other asset held by the relief association at or after the initiation of the consolidation procedure which does not comply with the applicable requirements or limitations of sections 11A.09, ~~11A.18,~~ 11A.23, and 11A.24.

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:

Subd. 23. Postretirement adjustment. "Postretirement adjustment" means any periodic or regular procedure for modifying the amount of a retirement annuity, service pension, disability benefit, or survivor benefit after the start of that annuity, pension, or benefit, including but not limited to modifications of amounts ~~from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ under section ~~11A.18, subdivision 9~~ 356.415, or any benefit escalation or benefit amount modification based on changes in the salaries payable to active police officers or salaried firefighters or changes in a cost-of-living index as provided for in the existing relief association benefit plan.

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Commission actions. (a) Upon initiation of consolidation as provided in section 353A.04, the executive director of the commission shall direct the actuary retained under section 356.214 to undertake the preparation of the actuarial calculations necessary to complete the consolidation.

(b) These actuarial calculations shall include for each active member, each deferred former member, each retired member, and each current beneficiary the computation of the present value of future benefits, the future normal costs, if any, and the actuarial accrued liability on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan and on the basis of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan. These actuarial calculations shall also include for the total active, deferred, retired, and benefit recipient membership the sum of the present value of future benefits, the future normal costs, if any, and the actuarial accrued liability on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan, on the basis of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan, and on the basis of the benefit plan which produced the largest present value of future benefits for each person. The actuarial calculations shall be prepared using the entry age actuarial cost method for all components of the benefit plan and using the actuarial assumptions applicable to the fund for the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215, except that the actuarial calculations on the basis of the existing relief association benefit plan shall be prepared using an interest rate actuarial assumption during the postretirement period which is in the same amount as the interest rate actuarial assumption applicable to the preretirement period. The actuarial calculations shall include the computation of the present value of the initial postretirement adjustment anticipated by the executive director of the state board as payable after the effective date of the consolidation ~~from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ under section ~~11A.18~~ 356.415.

(c) The chief administrative officer of the relief association shall, upon request, provide in a timely manner to the executive director of the commission and to the actuary retained under section 356.214 the most current available information or documents, whichever applies, regarding the demographics of the active, deferred, retired, and benefit recipient membership of the relief association, the financial condition of the relief association, and the existing benefit plan of the relief association.

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(d) Upon completion of the actuarial calculations required by this subdivision, the actuary retained under section 356.214 shall issue a report in the form of an appropriate summary of the actuarial calculations and shall provide a copy of that report to the executive director of the commission, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the chief administrative officer of the relief association, the chief administrative officer of the municipality in which the relief association is located, and the state auditor.

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. State board actions. (a) Upon approval of consolidation by the membership as provided in section 353A.04, the executive director of the state board shall review the existing investment portfolio of the relief association for compliance with the requirements and limitations set forth in sections 11A.09, 11A.14, ~~11A.18,~~ 11A.23, and 11A.24 and for appropriateness for retention in the light of the established investment objectives of the state board. The executive director of the state board, using any reporting service retained by the state board, shall determine the approximate market value of the existing assets of the relief association upon the effective date of consolidation and the transfer of assets from the relief association to the individual relief association consolidation accounts at market value.

(b) The state board may require that the relief association liquidate any investment security or other item of value which is determined to be ineligible or inappropriate for retention by the state board. The liquidation shall occur before the effective date of consolidation and transfer of assets.

(c) If requested to do so by the chief administrative officer of the relief association or of the municipality, the state board shall provide advice on the means and procedures available to liquidate investment securities and other assets determined to be ineligible or inappropriate.

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Election of coverage by current retirees. (a) A person who is receiving a service pension, disability benefit, or survivor benefit is eligible to elect benefit coverage provided under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan or to retain benefit coverage provided under the relief association benefit plan in effect on the effective date of the consolidation. The relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are limited to ~~participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for~~ any future postretirement adjustments under section 356.415 based on the amount of the benefit or pension payable on December 31, if December 31 is the effective date of consolidation, or on the December 1 following the effective date of the consolidation, if other than December 31. The survivor benefit payable on behalf of any service pension or disability benefit recipient who elects benefit coverage under the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan must be calculated under the relief association benefit plan and is subject to ~~participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for any~~ future postretirement adjustments under section 356.415 based on the amount of the survivor benefit payable.

(b) A survivor benefit calculated under the relief association benefit plan which is first payable after June 30, 1997, to the surviving spouse of a retired member of a consolidation account who, before July 1, 1997, chose ~~to participate in the Minnesota~~ postretirement ~~investment fund~~ adjustments as provided under ~~this subdivision~~ section 356.415 must be increased on the effective date of the survivor benefit on an actuarial equivalent basis to reflect the change in the postretirement interest rate actuarial assumption under section 356.215, subdivision 8, from five percent to six percent under a calculation procedure and tables adopted by the board and approved by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

(c) By electing the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan, a current service pension or disability benefit recipient who, as of the first January 1 occurring after the effective date of consolidation, has been receiving the pension or benefit for at least seven months, or any survivor benefit recipient who, as of the first January 1

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occurring after the effective date of consolidation, has been receiving the benefit on the person's own behalf or in combination with a prior applicable service pension or disability benefit for at least seven months is eligible to receive a partial adjustment payable ~~from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ under section ~~11A.18, subdivision 9~~ 356.415.

(d) The election by any pension or benefit recipient must be made on or before the deadline established by the board of the Public Employees Retirement Association in a manner that recognizes the number of persons eligible to make the election and the anticipated time required to conduct any required benefit counseling.

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Election of coverage by active members. (a) A person who is an active member of a police or fire relief association, other than a volunteer firefighter, has the option to elect benefit coverage under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund or to retain benefit coverage provided by the relief association benefit plan in effect on the effective date of consolidation. The relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are the relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan applicable to retirement annuities, disability benefits, and survivor benefits, including ~~participation in the Minnesota~~ postretirement ~~investment fund~~ adjustments under section 356.415, but excluding any provisions governing the purchase of credit for prior service or making payments in lieu of member contribution deductions applicable to any period which occurred before the effective date of consolidation.

(b) An active member is eligible to make an election at one of the following times:

(1) within six months of the effective date of consolidation;

(2) between the date on which the active member attains the age of 49 years and six months and the date on which the active member attains the age of 50 years; or

(3) on the date on which the active member terminates active employment for purposes of receiving a service pension or disability benefits, or within 90 days of the date the member terminates active employment and defers receipt of a service pension, whichever applies.

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.081, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Election of coverage. (a) Individuals eligible under subdivision 1 may elect, on a form prescribed by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, to have survivor benefits calculated under the relevant provisions of the public employees police and fire fund benefit plan or to have survivor benefits calculated under the relief association benefit plan. The relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan for the person electing that benefit coverage are the relevant provisions of the public employee police and fire fund benefit plan applicable to survivor benefits, including ~~participation in the Minnesota~~ postretirement ~~investment fund~~ adjustments under section 356.415.

(b) If the election results in an increased benefit amount to the surviving spouse eligible under subdivision 1, or to eligible children if there is no surviving spouse, the increased benefit accrues as of the date on which the survivor benefits payable to the survivors from the consolidation account were first paid. The back payment of any increase in prior benefit amounts, plus any postretirement adjustments payable under section ~~356.41~~ 356.415, or any increase payable under the local relief association bylaws is payable as soon as practicable after the effective date of the election.

Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

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Subdivision 1. Establishment of consolidation accounts. (a) The board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall establish a separate consolidation account for each local relief association of a municipality that consolidates with the Public Employees Retirement Association. The association shall credit to the consolidation account the assets of the individual consolidating local relief association upon transfer, member contributions received after consolidation under subdivision 4, municipal contributions received after consolidation under subdivision 5, and a proportionate share of any investment income earned after consolidation. From the consolidation account, the association shall pay for the transfer of any required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund on account of persons electing the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under subdivisions 2 and 3 and section 353.271, subdivision 2, the pension and benefit amounts on account of persons electing coverage by the relief association benefit plan under section 353A.08, the benefit amounts ~~not~~ payable ~~from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ on account of persons electing the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund under section 353A.08, and any direct administrative expenses related to the consolidation account, and the proportional share of the general administrative expenses of the association.

(b) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, the liabilities and the assets of a consolidation account must be considered for all purposes to be separate from the balance of the public employees police and fire fund. The consolidation account must be subject to separate accounting, a separate actuarial valuation, and must be reported as a separate exhibit in any annual financial report or actuarial valuation report of the public employees police and fire consolidation fund, whichever applies. The executive director of the public employees retirement association shall maintain separate accounting records and balances for each consolidation account.

Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Collection of late contributions. In the event of a refusal by a municipality in which was located a local police or firefighters relief association which has consolidated with the fund to pay to the fund any amount or amounts due under section 353A.09, subdivisions 2 4 to 6, the executive director of the public employees retirement association may notify the Department of Revenue, the Department of Finance, and the state auditor of the refusal and commence the necessary procedure to collect the amount or amounts due from the amount of any state aid under sections 69.011 to 69.051, amortization state aid under section 423A.02, or supplemental amortization state aid under Laws 1984, chapter 564, section 48, as amended by Laws 1986, chapter 359, section 20, which is payable to the municipality or to certify the amount or amounts due to the county auditor for inclusion in the next tax levy of the municipality or for collection from other revenue available to the municipality, or both.

Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Levy and bonding authority. A municipality in which was located a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the fund may issue general obligation bonds of the municipality to defray all or a portion of the principal amounts specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions 2 4 to 6, or certify to the county auditor a levy in the amount necessary to defray all or a portion of the principal amount specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions 2 4 to 6, or the annual amount specified in section 353A.09, subdivisions 2 4 to 6. The municipality may pledge the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the municipality for the payment of the principal of and interest on the general obligation bonds. Any municipal bond may be issued without an election under section 475.58 and may not be included in the net debt of the municipality for purposes of any charter or statutory debt limitation, nor may any tax levy for the payment of bond principal or interest be subject to any limitation concerning rate or amount established by charter or law.

Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Investment. ~~(a) The public employees local government correctional service retirement fund participates in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund.~~

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~~(b) The amounts provided in section 353.271 must be deposited in that fund.~~

~~(c) The balance of any~~ Assets of the public employees local government correctional service retirement fund must be deposited in the Minnesota combined investment fund as provided in section 11A.14, if applicable, or otherwise invested under section 11A.23.

Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Fund disbursement restricted. (a) The public employees local government correctional service retirement fund ~~and its share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ may be disbursed only for the purposes provided for in this chapter.

(b) The proportional share of the necessary and reasonable administrative expenses of the association and any benefits provided in this chapter~~, other than benefits payable from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,~~ must be paid from the public employees local government correctional service retirement fund. Retirement annuities, disability benefits, survivorship benefits, and any refunds of accumulated deductions may be paid only from the correctional service retirement fund after those needs have been certified by the executive director ~~and any applicable amounts withdrawn from the share of participation in the Minnesota postretirement fund under section 11A.18~~.

(c) The amounts necessary to make the payments from the public employees local government correctional service retirement fund ~~and its participation in the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ are annually appropriated from those funds for those purposes.

Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353E.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 8. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Certification of funds to State Board of Investment. It ~~shall be~~ is the duty of the board from time to time to certify to the State Board of Investment for investment as much of the funds in its hands as shall not be needed for current purposes. ~~Such funds that are certified as to investment in the postretirement investment fund shall include the amount as required for the total reserves needed for the purposes described in section 354.63.~~ The State Board of Investment shall thereupon ~~transfer such assets to the appropriate fund provided herein, in accordance with the procedure set forth in section 354.63, or~~ invest and reinvest an amount equal to the sum so certified in such securities as are now or may hereafter be duly authorized legal investments for state employees retirement fund and all such securities so transferred or purchased ~~shall~~ must be deposited with the commissioner of finance. All interest from these investments ~~shall~~ must be credited to the ~~appropriate funds~~ teachers retirement fund and used for current purposes or investments, except as hereinafter provided. The State Board of Investment ~~shall have~~ has authority to

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sell, convey, and exchange such securities and invest and reinvest the funds when it deems it desirable to do so, and ~~shall~~ must sell securities upon request of the officers of the association when such officers determine funds are needed for its purposes. All of the provisions regarding accounting procedures and restrictions and conditions for the purchase and sale of securities ~~for the state employees retirement fund shall~~ under chapter 11A must apply to the accounting, purchase and sale of securities for the Teachers' Retirement Association.

Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.33, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Retirees not eligible for federal benefits. When any person retires after July 1, 1973, who (1) has ten or more years of allowable service, and (2) does not have any retroactive Social Security coverage by reason of the person's position in the retirement system, and (3) does not qualify for federal old age and survivor primary benefits at the time of retirement, the annuity must be computed under section 354.44, subdivision 2, of the law in effect on June 30, 1969, except that accumulations after June 30, 1957, must be calculated using the ~~same~~ most recent mortality table approved under section 356.215, subdivision 18, and ~~interest assumption as are used to transfer the required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ using the applicable postretirement interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8.

Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.35, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. An annuity under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a. Teachers retirement fund. (a) Within the Teachers Retirement Association and the state treasury is created a special retirement fund, which must include all the assets of the Teachers Retirement Association and all revenue of the association. The fund is the continuation of the fund established under Laws 1931, chapter 406, section 2, notwithstanding the repeal of Minnesota Statutes 1973, section 354.42, subdivision 1, by Laws 1974, chapter 289, section 59.

(b) The teachers retirement fund must be credited with all employee and employer contributions, all investment revenue and gains, and all other income authorized by law.

(c) From the teachers retirement fund is appropriated the payments of annuities and benefits authorized by this chapter~~, the transfers to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund,~~ and the reasonable and necessary expenses of administering the fund and the association.

Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7a. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. (a) A retirement annuity under subdivision 2 or 6 is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

(b) Retirement annuities payable from the teachers retirement plan must not be in an amount less than the amount originally determined on the date of retirement and as adjusted on each succeeding January 1 under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18, before January 1, 2010, and under section 356.415 after December 31, 2009.

Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.46, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A survivor benefit under subdivision 1, 2, 2a, or 2b, is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

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Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 11. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A disability benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.55, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13. Pre-1969 law retirements. Any person who ceased teaching service prior to July 1, 1968, who has ten years or more of allowable service and left accumulated deductions in the fund for the purpose of receiving when eligible a retirement annuity, and retires ~~shall~~ must have the annuity computed in accordance with the law in effect on June 30, 1969, except that the portion of the annuity based on accumulations after June 30, 1957, under Minnesota Statutes 1967, section 354.44, subdivision 2, and accumulations under Minnesota Statutes 1967, section 354.33, subdivision 1, ~~shall~~ must be calculated using the mortality table established by the board under section 354.07, subdivision 1, and approved under section 356.215, subdivision 18, and the postretirement interest rate assumption specified in section 356.215, ~~to transfer the required reserves to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~ subdivision 8.

Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.70, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Transfer of assets. (a) On or before June 30, 2006, the chief administrative officer of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall transfer to the Teachers Retirement Association the entire assets of the special retirement fund of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association. The transfer of the assets of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association special retirement fund must include any accounts receivable that are determined by the executive director of the State Board of Investment as reasonably capable of being collected. Legal title to account receivables that are determined by the executive director of the State Board of Investment as not reasonably capable of being collected transfers to Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, as of the date of the determination of the executive director of the State Board of Investment. If the account receivables transferred to Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, are subsequently recovered by the school district, the superintendent of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, shall transfer the recovered amount to the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association, in cash, for deposit in the teachers retirement fund, less the reasonable expenses of the school district related to the recovery.

(b) As of June 30, 2006, assets of the special retirement fund of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association are assets of the Teachers Retirement Association to be invested by the State Board of Investment pursuant to the provisions of section 354.07, subdivision 4. The Teachers Retirement Association is the successor in interest to all claims which the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association may have or may assert against any person and is the successor in interest to all claims which could have been asserted against the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, subject to the following exceptions and qualifications:

(1) the Teachers Retirement Association is not liable for any claim against the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, its former board or board members, which is founded upon a claim of breach of fiduciary duty, where the act or acts constituting the claimed breach were not done in good faith;

(2) the Teachers Retirement Association may assert any applicable defense to any claim in any judicial or administrative proceeding that the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association or its board would otherwise have been entitled to assert;

(3) the Teachers Retirement Association may assert any applicable defense that the Teachers Retirement Association may assert in its capacity as a statewide agency; and

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(4) the Teachers Retirement Association shall indemnify any former fiduciary of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association consistent with the provisions of the Public Pension Fiduciary Responsibility Act, in section 356A.11.

(c) From the assets of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association transferred to the Teachers Retirement Association, an amount equal to the percentage figure that represents the ratio between the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2006, and the required reserves of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund as of June 30, 2006, applied to the present value of future benefits payable to annuitants of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association as of June 30, 2006, including any postretirement adjustment from the Minnesota postretirement investment fund expected to be payable on January 1, 2007, must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund. The executive director of the State Board of Investment shall estimate this ratio at the time of the transfer. By January 1, 2007, after all necessary financial information becomes available to determine the actual funded ratio of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, the postretirement investment fund must refund to the Teachers Retirement Association any excess assets or the Teachers Retirement Association must contribute any deficiency to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund with interest under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18, subdivision 6. The balance of the assets of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association after the transfer to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund must be credited to the Teachers Retirement Association.

(d) If the assets transferred by the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association to the Teachers Retirement Association are insufficient to meet its obligation to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund, additional assets must be transferred by the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association to meet the amount required.

Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.70, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Benefit calculation. (a) For every deferred, inactive, disabled, and retired member of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association transferred under subdivision 1, and the survivors of these members, annuities or benefits earned before the date of the transfer, other than future postretirement adjustments, must be calculated and paid by the Teachers Retirement Association under the laws, articles of incorporation, and bylaws of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association that were in effect relative to the person on the date of the person's termination of active service covered by the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(b) Former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association members who retired before July 1, 2006, must receive postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2006, only as provided in Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.18 or section 356.415. All other benefit recipients of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association must receive postretirement adjustments after December 31, 2006, only as provided in section ~~356.41~~ 356.415.

(c) This consolidation does not impair or diminish benefits for an active, deferred, or retired member or a survivor of an active, deferred, or retired member under the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association in existence at the time of the consolidation, except that any future guaranteed or investment-related postretirement adjustments must be paid after July 1, 2006, in accordance with paragraph (b), and all benefits based on service on or after July 1, 2006, must be determined only by laws governing the Teachers Retirement Association.

Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.215, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of sections 3.85 and 356.20 to 356.23, each of the terms in the following paragraphs has the meaning given.

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(b) "Actuarial valuation" means a set of calculations prepared by an actuary retained under section 356.214 if so required under section 3.85, or otherwise, by an approved actuary, to determine the normal cost and the accrued actuarial liabilities of a benefit plan, according to the entry age actuarial cost method and based upon stated assumptions including, but not limited to rates of interest, mortality, salary increase, disability, withdrawal, and retirement and to determine the payment necessary to amortize over a stated period any unfunded accrued actuarial liability disclosed as a result of the actuarial valuation of the benefit plan.

(c) "Approved actuary" means a person who is regularly engaged in the business of providing actuarial services and who is a fellow in the Society of Actuaries.

(d) "Entry age actuarial cost method" means an actuarial cost method under which the actuarial present value of the projected benefits of each individual currently covered by the benefit plan and included in the actuarial valuation is allocated on a level basis over the service of the individual, if the benefit plan is governed by section 69.773, or over the earnings of the individual, if the benefit plan is governed by any other law, between the entry age and the assumed exit age, with the portion of the actuarial present value which is allocated to the valuation year to be the normal cost and the portion of the actuarial present value not provided for at the valuation date by the actuarial present value of future normal costs to be the actuarial accrued liability, with aggregation in the calculation process to be the sum of the calculated result for each covered individual and with recognition given to any different benefit formulas which may apply to various periods of service.

(e) "Experience study" means a report providing experience data and an actuarial analysis of the adequacy of the actuarial assumptions on which actuarial valuations are based.

(f) "Actuarial value of assets" means:

(1) For the July 1, 2009, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of ~~the preceding~~ June 30, 2009, reduced by:

~~(1)~~ (i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred three years earlier~~, 2006, and ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred four years earlier~~, 2005, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had ~~increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred four years earlier~~ earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2005;

~~(2)~~ (ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred two years earlier~~, 2007, and ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred three years earlier~~, 2006, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had ~~increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred three years earlier~~ earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2006;

~~(3)~~ (iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred one year earlier~~, 2008, and ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred two years earlier~~, 2007, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had ~~increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred two years earlier~~ earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2007; ~~and~~

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~~(4)~~ (iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between ~~the immediately prior~~ June 30, 2009, and ~~the~~ June 30 ~~that occurred one year earlier~~, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had ~~increased at the percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred one year earlier.~~ earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2008; and

(v) if applicable, 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had increased at 8.5 percent annually.

(2) For the July 1, 2010, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2010, reduced by:

(i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2007, and June 30, 2006, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2006;

(ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2007, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2007;

(iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2008;

(iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2009; and

(v) if applicable, 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had increased at 8.5 percent annually.

(3) For the July 1, 2011, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2011, reduced by:

(i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2007, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2007;

(ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2008;

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(iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the total assets between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009, and the computed increase in the market value of the total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2009;

(iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2010, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2010; and

(v) if applicable, 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had increased at 8.5 percent annually.

(4) For the July 1, 2012, actuarial valuation, the market value of all assets as of June 30, 2012, reduced by:

(i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets other than the Minnesota postretirement investment fund over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2008;

(ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2009, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2009;

(iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2011, and June 30, 2010, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2010;

(iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2011, and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for July 1, 2011; and

(v) if applicable, 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of the Minnesota postretirement investment fund between June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2008, and the computed increase in the market value of assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had increased at 8.5 percent annually.

(5) For the July 1, 2013, and following actuarial valuations, the market value of all assets as of the preceding June 30, reduced by:

(i) 20 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred three years earlier and the June 30 that occurred four years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred four years earlier;

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(ii) 40 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred two years earlier and the June 30 that occurred three years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred three years earlier;

(iii) 60 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the June 30 that occurred one year earlier and the June 30 that occurred two years earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred two years earlier; and

(iv) 80 percent of the difference between the actual net change in the market value of total assets between the most recent June 30 and the June 30 that occurred one year earlier and the computed increase in the market value of total assets over that fiscal year period if the assets had earned a rate of return on assets equal to the annual percentage preretirement interest rate assumption used in the actuarial valuation for the July 1 that occurred one year earlier.

(g) "Unfunded actuarial accrued liability" means the total current and expected future benefit obligations, reduced by the sum of the actuarial value of assets and the present value of future normal costs.

(h) "Pension benefit obligation" means the actuarial present value of credited projected benefits, determined as the actuarial present value of benefits estimated to be payable in the future as a result of employee service attributing an equal benefit amount, including the effect of projected salary increases and any step rate benefit accrual rate differences, to each year of credited and expected future employee service.

Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.215, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11. Amortization contributions. (a) In addition to the exhibit indicating the level normal cost, the actuarial valuation of the retirement plan must contain an exhibit for financial reporting purposes indicating the additional annual contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability and must contain an exhibit for contribution determination purposes indicating the additional contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability. For the retirement plans listed in subdivision 8, paragraph (c), the additional contribution must be calculated on a level percentage of covered payroll basis by the established date for full funding in effect when the valuation is prepared, assuming annual payroll growth at the applicable percentage rate set forth in subdivision 8, paragraph (c). For all other retirement plans, the additional annual contribution must be calculated on a level annual dollar amount basis.

(b) For any retirement plan other than the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, and the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, if there has not been a change in the actuarial assumptions used for calculating the actuarial accrued liability of the fund, a change in the benefit plan governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund, a change in the actuarial cost method used in calculating the actuarial accrued liability of all or a portion of the fund, or a combination of the three, which change or changes by itself or by themselves without inclusion of any other items of increase or decrease produce a net increase in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund, the established date for full funding is the first actuarial valuation date occurring after June 1, 2020.

(c) For any retirement plan other than the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund and the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, if there has been a change in any or all of the actuarial assumptions used for calculating the actuarial accrued liability of the fund, a change in the benefit plan governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund, a change in the actuarial cost method used in calculating the

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actuarial accrued liability of all or a portion of the fund, or a combination of the three, and the change or changes, by itself or by themselves and without inclusion of any other items of increase or decrease, produce a net increase in the unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the fund, the established date for full funding must be determined using the following procedure:

(i) the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund must be determined in accordance with the plan provisions governing annuities and retirement benefits and the actuarial assumptions in effect before an applicable change;

(ii) the level annual dollar contribution or level percentage, whichever is applicable, needed to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount determined under item (i) by the established date for full funding in effect before the change must be calculated using the interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect before the change;

(iii) the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the fund must be determined in accordance with any new plan provisions governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund and any new actuarial assumptions and the remaining plan provisions governing annuities and benefits payable from the fund and actuarial assumptions in effect before the change;

(iv) the level annual dollar contribution or level percentage, whichever is applicable, needed to amortize the difference between the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount calculated under item (i) and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount calculated under item (iii) over a period of 30 years from the end of the plan year in which the applicable change is effective must be calculated using the applicable interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect after any applicable change;

(v) the level annual dollar or level percentage amortization contribution under item (iv) must be added to the level annual dollar amortization contribution or level percentage calculated under item (ii);

(vi) the period in which the unfunded actuarial accrued liability amount determined in item (iii) is amortized by the total level annual dollar or level percentage amortization contribution computed under item (v) must be calculated using the interest assumption specified in subdivision 8 in effect after any applicable change, rounded to the nearest integral number of years, but not to exceed 30 years from the end of the plan year in which the determination of the established date for full funding using the procedure set forth in this clause is made and not to be less than the period of years beginning in the plan year in which the determination of the established date for full funding using the procedure set forth in this clause is made and ending by the date for full funding in effect before the change; and

(vii) the period determined under item (vi) must be added to the date as of which the actuarial valuation was prepared and the date obtained is the new established date for full funding.

(d) For the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2020.

(e) For the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2031.

(f) For the Teachers Retirement Association, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2037.

(g) For the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

(h) For the judges retirement plan, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

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(i) For the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the established date for full funding is June 30, 2038.

(j) For the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the established date for full funding is June 30 of the 25th year from the valuation date. In addition to other requirements of this chapter, the annual actuarial valuation shall contain an exhibit indicating the funded ratio and the deficiency or sufficiency in annual contributions when comparing liabilities to the market value of the assets of the fund as of the close of the most recent fiscal year.

(k) For the retirement plans for which the annual actuarial valuation indicates an excess of valuation assets over the actuarial accrued liability, the valuation assets in excess of the actuarial accrued liability must be recognized as a reduction in the current contribution requirements by an amount equal to the amortization of the excess expressed as a level percentage of pay over a 30-year period beginning anew with each annual actuarial valuation of the plan.

(l) In addition to calculating the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan for financial reporting purposes under paragraphs (a) to (j), the actuarial valuation of the retirement plan must also include a calculation of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the retirement plan for purposes of determining the amortization contribution sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial liability of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund. For this exhibit, the calculation must be the unfunded actuarial accrued liability net of the postretirement adjustment liability funded from the investment performance of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund or the retirement benefit fund.

Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.351, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Incentive. (a) For an employee eligible under subdivision 1, if approved under paragraph (b), the employer may provide an amount up to $17,000, to an employee who terminates service, to be used:

(1) unless the appointing authority has designated the use under clause (2) or the use under clause (3) for the initial retirement incentive applicable to that employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for deposit in the employee's account in the health care savings plan established by section 352.98;

(2) notwithstanding section 352.01, subdivision 11, or 354.05, subdivision 13, whichever applies, if the appointing authority has designated the use under this clause for the initial retirement incentive applicable to that employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for purchase of service credit for unperformed service sufficient to enable the employee to retire under section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); 353.30; 354.44, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), or 354A.31, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), whichever applies; or

(3) if the appointing authority has designated the use under this clause for the initial retirement incentive applicable to the employing entity under Laws 2007, chapter 134, after May 26, 2007, for purchase of a lifetime annuity or an annuity for a specific number of years from the applicable retirement plan to provide additional benefits, as provided in paragraph (d).

(b) Approval to provide the incentive must be obtained from the commissioner of finance if the eligible employee is a state employee and must be obtained from the applicable governing board with respect to any other employing entity. An employee is eligible for the payment under paragraph (a), clause (2), if the employee uses money from a deferred compensation account that, combined with the payment under paragraph (a), clause (2), would be sufficient to purchase enough service credit to qualify for retirement under section 352.116, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); 353.30, subdivision 1a; 354.44, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), or 354A.31, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), whichever applies.

(c) The cost to purchase service credit under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be made in accordance with section 356.551.

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(d) The annuity purchase under paragraph (a), clause (3), must be made using annuity factors, as determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214, derived from the applicable factors used by the applicable retirement plan ~~to transfer amounts to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund and~~ to calculate optional annuity forms. The purchased annuity must be the actuarial equivalent of the incentive amount.

Sec. 73. [356.415] POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS; STATEWIDE RETIREMENT PLANS.

Subdivision 1. Annual postretirement adjustments. (a) Retirement annuity, disability benefit, or survivor benefit recipients of a covered retirement plan are entitled to a postretirement adjustment annually on January 1, as follows:

(1) a postretirement increase of 2.5 percent must be applied each year, effective January 1, to the monthly annuity or benefit of each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least 12 full months prior to the January 1 increase; and

(2) for each annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or a benefit for at least one full month, an annual postretirement increase of 1/12 of 2.5 percent for each month the person has been receiving an annuity or benefit must be applied, effective January 1 following the year in which the person has been retired for less than 12 months.

(b) The increases provided by this section commence on January 1, 2010.

(c) An increase in annuity or benefit payments under this section must be made automatically unless written notice is filed by the annuitant or benefit recipient with the executive director of the covered retirement plan requesting that the increase not be made.

(d) The retirement annuity payable to a person who retires before becoming eligible for Social Security benefits and who has elected the optional payment as provided in section 353.29, subdivision 6, or 354.35 must be treated as the sum of a period certain retirement annuity and a life retirement annuity for the purposes of any postretirement adjustment. The period certain retirement annuity plus the life retirement annuity must be the annuity amount payable until age 62 for section 353.29, subdivision 6, or age 62, 65, or normal retirement age, as selected by the member at retirement, for an annuity amount payable under section 354.35. A postretirement adjustment granted on the period certain retirement annuity must terminate when the period certain retirement annuity terminates.

Subd. 2. Covered retirement plans. The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans:

(1) the legislators retirement plan established under chapter 3A;

(2) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(3) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System established under chapter 352;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan established under chapter 352B;

(5) the elective state officers retirement plan established under chapter 352C;

(6) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353;

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(7) the public employees police and fire retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353;

(8) the local government correctional employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association established under chapter 353E;

(9) the teachers retirement plan established under chapter 354; and

(10) the judges retirement plan established under chapter 490.

Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.123, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Fund creation; revenue and authorized disbursements. (a) There is created a special fund to be known as the "judges' retirement fund."

(b) The judges' retirement fund must be credited with all contributions; all interest, dividends, and other investment proceeds; and all other income authorized by this chapter or other applicable law.

(c) From this fund there are appropriated the payments authorized by this chapter, in the amounts and at the times provided, including the necessary and reasonable expenses of the Minnesota State Retirement System in administering the fund ~~and the transfers to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund~~.

Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.123, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Investment. (a) The executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System shall, from time to time, certify to the State Board of Investment such portions of the judges' retirement fund as in the director's judgment may not be required for immediate use.

~~(b) Assets from the judges' retirement fund must be transferred to the Minnesota postretirement investment fund for retirement and disability benefits as provided in sections 11A.18 and 352.119.~~

~~(c)~~ (b) The State Board of Investment shall thereupon invest and reinvest sums so ~~transferred, or~~ certified, in such securities as are duly authorized legal investments for such purposes under section 11A.24 in compliance with sections 356A.04 and 356A.06.

Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 490.124, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14. Postretirement adjustment eligibility. A retirement annuity under subdivision 1, 3, or 5, a disability benefit under subdivision 4, and a survivor's annuity under subdivision 9 or 11 are eligible for postretirement adjustments under section 356.415.

Sec. 77. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 11A.041; 11A.18; 11A.181; 352.119, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 352B.26, subdivisions 1 and 3; 353.271; 353A.02, subdivision 20; 353A.09, subdivisions 2 and 3; 354.05, subdivision 26; 354.55, subdivision 14; 354.63; 356.41; 356.431, subdivision 2; 422A.01, subdivision 13; 422A.06, subdivision 4; and 490.123, subdivisions 1c and 1e, are repealed.

Sec. 78. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 77 are effective July 1, 2009.

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ARTICLE 2

DISABILITY BENEFIT PROVISION CHANGES

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.34, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Officers exempted. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (a) conservation officers and crime bureau officers who were first employed on or after July 1, 1973, and who are members of the State Patrol retirement fund by reason of their employment, and members of the Minnesota State Patrol Division and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety who are members of the State Patrol Retirement Association by reason of their employment, ~~shall~~ may not continue employment after attaining the age of 60 years, except for a fractional portion of one year that will enable the employee to complete the employee's next full year of allowable service as defined pursuant to section ~~352B.01~~ 352B.011, subdivision 3; and (b) conservation officers and crime bureau officers who were first employed and are members of the State Patrol retirement fund by reason of their employment before July 1, 1973, ~~shall~~ may not continue employment after attaining the age of 70 years.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 299A.465, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Officer or firefighter disabled in line of duty. (a) This subdivision applies to any peace officer or firefighter:

(1) who the Public Employees Retirement Association or the Minnesota State Retirement System determines is eligible to receive a duty disability benefit pursuant to section 353.656 or 352B.10, subdivision 1, respectively; or

(2) who (i) does not qualify to receive disability benefits by operation of the eligibility requirements set forth in section 353.656, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), (ii) retires pursuant to section 353.651, subdivision 4, or (iii) is a member of a local police or salaried firefighters relief association and qualifies for a duty disability benefit under the terms of plans of the relief associations, and the peace officer or firefighter described in item (i), (ii), or (iii) has discontinued public service as a peace officer or firefighter as a result of a disabling injury and has been determined, by the Public Employees Retirement Association, to have otherwise met the duty disability criteria set forth in section 353.01, subdivision 41.

(b) A determination made on behalf of a peace officer or firefighter described in paragraph (a), clause (2), must be at the request of the peace officer or firefighter made for the purposes of this section. Determinations made in accordance with paragraph (a) are binding on the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state. The determination must be made by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association or by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System, whichever applies, and is not subject to section 356.96, subdivision 2. Upon making a determination, the executive director shall provide written notice to the peace officer or firefighter and the employer. This notice must include:

(1) a written statement of the reasons for the determination;

(2) a notice that the person may petition for a review of the determination by requesting that a contested case be initiated before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the cost of which must be borne by the peace officer or firefighter and the employer; and

(3) a statement that any person who does not petition for a review within 60 days is precluded from contesting issues determined by the executive director in any other administrative review or court procedure.

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If, prior to the contested case hearing, additional information is provided to support the claim for duty disability as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 41, or 352B.011, subdivision 7, whichever applies, the executive director may reverse the determination without the requested hearing. If a hearing is held before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the determination rendered by the judge conducting the fact-finding hearing is a final decision and order under section 14.62, subdivision 2a, and is binding on the applicable executive director, the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state. Review of a final determination made by the Office of Administrative Hearings under this section may only be obtained by writ of certiorari to the Minnesota Court of Appeals under sections 14.63 to 14.68. Only the peace officer or firefighter, employer, and state have standing to participate in a judicial review of the decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(1) the officer or firefighter; and

(2) the officer's or firefighter's dependents if the officer or firefighter was receiving dependent coverage at the time of the injury under the employer's group health plan.

(d) The employer is responsible for the continued payment of the employer's contribution for coverage of the officer or firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's dependents. Coverage must continue for the officer or firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's dependents until the officer or firefighter reaches or, if deceased, would have reached the age of 65. However, coverage for dependents does not have to be continued after the person is no longer a dependent.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and also applies to any member of the State Patrol retirement plan who was awarded a duty disability benefit on or after July 1, 2008.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b. Excluded employees. "State employee" does not include:

(1) students employed by the University of Minnesota, or the state colleges and universities, unless approved for coverage by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever is applicable;

(2) employees who are eligible for membership in the state Teachers Retirement Association, except employees of the Department of Education who have chosen or may choose to be covered by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System instead of the Teachers Retirement Association;

(3) employees of the University of Minnesota who are excluded from coverage by action of the Board of Regents;

(4) officers and enlisted personnel in the National Guard and the naval militia who are assigned to permanent peacetime duty and who under federal law are or are required to be members of a federal retirement system;

(5) election officers;

(6) persons who are engaged in public work for the state but who are employed by contractors when the performance of the contract is authorized by the legislature or other competent authority;

(7) officers and employees of the senate, or of the house of representatives, or of a legislative committee or commission who are temporarily employed;

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(8) receivers, jurors, notaries public, and court employees who are not in the judicial branch as defined in section 43A.02, subdivision 25, except referees and adjusters employed by the Department of Labor and Industry;

(9) patient and inmate help in state charitable, penal, and correctional institutions including the Minnesota Veterans Home;

(10) persons who are employed for professional services where the service is incidental to their regular professional duties and whose compensation is paid on a per diem basis;

(11) employees of the Sibley House Association;

(12) the members of any state board or commission who serve the state intermittently and are paid on a per diem basis; the secretary, secretary-treasurer, and treasurer of those boards if their compensation is $5,000 or less per year, or, if they are legally prohibited from serving more than three years; and the board of managers of the State Agricultural Society and its treasurer unless the treasurer is also its full-time secretary;

(13) state troopers and persons who are described in section ~~352B.01, subdivision 2~~ 352B.011, subdivision 10, clauses (2) to ~~(6)~~ (8);

(14) temporary employees of the Minnesota State Fair who are employed on or after July 1 for a period not to extend beyond October 15 of that year; and persons who are employed at any time by the state fair administration for special events held on the fairgrounds;

(15) emergency employees who are in the classified service; except that if an emergency employee, within the same pay period, becomes a provisional or probationary employee on other than a temporary basis, the employee ~~shall~~ must be considered a "state employee" retroactively to the beginning of the pay period;

(16) temporary employees in the classified service, and temporary employees in the unclassified service who are appointed for a definite period of not more than six months and who are employed less than six months in any one-year period;

(17) interns hired for six months or less and trainee employees, except those listed in subdivision 2a, clause (8);

(18) persons whose compensation is paid on a fee basis or as an independent contractor;

(19) state employees who are employed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in unclassified positions enumerated in section 43A.08, subdivision 1, clause (9);

(20) state employees who in any year have credit for 12 months service as teachers in the public schools of the state and as teachers are members of the Teachers Retirement Association or a retirement system in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Duluth, except for incidental employment as a state employee that is not covered by one of the teacher retirement associations or systems;

(21) employees of the adjutant general who are employed on an unlimited intermittent or temporary basis in the classified or unclassified service for the support of Army and Air National Guard training facilities;

(22) chaplains and nuns who are excluded from coverage under the federal Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance Program for the performance of service as specified in United States Code, title 42, section 410(a)(8)(A), as amended, if no irrevocable election of coverage has been made under section 3121(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992;

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(23) examination monitors who are employed by departments, agencies, commissions, and boards to conduct examinations required by law;

(24) persons who are appointed to serve as members of fact-finding commissions or adjustment panels, arbitrators, or labor referees under chapter 179;

(25) temporary employees who are employed for limited periods under any state or federal program for training or rehabilitation, including persons who are employed for limited periods from areas of economic distress, but not including skilled and supervisory personnel and persons having civil service status covered by the system;

(26) full-time students who are employed by the Minnesota Historical Society intermittently during part of the year and full-time during the summer months;

(27) temporary employees who are appointed for not more than six months, of the Metropolitan Council and of any of its statutory boards, if the board members are appointed by the Metropolitan Council;

(28) persons who are employed in positions designated by the Department of Finance as student workers;

(29) members of trades who are employed by the successor to the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission, who have trade union pension plan coverage under a collective bargaining agreement, and who are first employed after June 1, 1977;

(30) off-duty peace officers while employed by the Metropolitan Council;

(31) persons who are employed as full-time police officers by the Metropolitan Council and as police officers are members of the public employees police and fire fund;

(32) persons who are employed as full-time firefighters by the Department of Military Affairs and as firefighters are members of the public employees police and fire fund;

(33) foreign citizens with a work permit of less than three years, or an H-1b/JV visa valid for less than three years of employment, unless notice of extension is supplied which allows them to work for three or more years as of the date the extension is granted, in which case they are eligible for coverage from the date extended; and

(34) persons who are employed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and who elected to remain members of the Public Employees Retirement Association or the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, whichever applies, under Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 136C.75.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 17a. Occupational disability. "Occupational disability," for purposes of determining eligibility for disability benefits for a correctional employee, means a disabling condition that is expected to prevent the correctional employee, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of the position held by the correctional employee.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 17b. Duty disability, physical or psychological. "Duty disability, physical or psychological," for a correctional employee, means an occupational disability that is the direct result of an injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of normal duties or the performance of less frequent duties either of which are specific to the correctional employee.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 17c. Regular disability, physical or psychological. "Regular disability, physical or psychological," for a correctional employee, means an occupational disability resulting from a disease or an injury that arises from any activities while not at work or from activities while at work performing normal or less frequent duties that do not present inherent dangers specific to covered correctional positions.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 17d. Normal duties. "Normal duties" means specific tasks designated in the applicant's job description and which the applicant performs on a day-to-day basis, but do not include less frequent duties which may be requested to be done by the employer from time to time.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 17e. Less frequent duties. "Less frequent duties" means tasks designated in the applicant's job description as either required from time to time or as assigned, but which are not carried out as part of the normal routine of the applicant's job.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.113, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Medical or psychological examinations; authorization for payment of benefit. (a) An applicant shall provide medical, chiropractic, or psychological evidence to support an application for total and permanent disability.

(b) The director shall have the employee examined by at least one additional licensed chiropractor, physician, or psychologist designated by the medical adviser. The chiropractors, physicians, or psychologists shall make written reports to the director concerning the employee's disability including expert opinions as to whether the employee is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 352.01, subdivision 17.

(c) The director shall also obtain written certification from the employer stating whether the employment has ceased or whether the employee is on sick leave of absence because of a disability that will prevent further service to the employer and as a consequence the employee is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(d) The medical adviser shall consider the reports of the physicians, psychologists, and chiropractors and any other evidence supplied by the employee or other interested parties. If the medical adviser finds the employee totally and permanently disabled, the adviser shall make appropriate recommendation to the director in writing

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together with the date from which the employee has been totally disabled. The director shall then determine if the disability occurred within ~~180 days~~ 18 months of filing the application, while still in the employment of the state, and the propriety of authorizing payment of a disability benefit as provided in this section.

(e) A terminated employee may apply for a disability benefit within ~~180 days~~ 18 months of termination as long as the disability occurred while in the employment of the state. The fact that an employee is placed on leave of absence without compensation because of disability does not bar that employee from receiving a disability benefit.

(f) Unless the payment of a disability benefit has terminated because the employee is no longer totally disabled, or because the employee has reached normal retirement age as provided in this section, the disability benefit must cease with the last payment received by the disabled employee or which had accrued during the lifetime of the employee unless there is a spouse surviving. In that event, the surviving spouse is entitled to the disability benefit for the calendar month in which the disabled employee died.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. ~~Job-related disability~~ Duty disability; computation of benefit. A covered correctional employee who becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year as a direct result of an injury, sickness, or other disability that incurred in or arose out of any act of duty that makes the employee physically or mentally unable to perform the duties is determined to have a duty disability, physical or psychological, as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 17b, is entitled to a duty disability benefit. The duty disability benefit ~~may~~ must be based on covered correctional service only. The duty disability benefit amount is 50 percent of the average salary defined in section 352.93, plus an additional percent equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 5, for each year of covered correctional service in excess of 20 years, ten months, prorated for completed months.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. ~~Non-job-related~~ Regular disability; computation of benefit. A covered correctional employee who was hired before July 1, 2009, after rendering at least one year of covered correctional service, or a covered correctional employee who was first hired after June 30, 2009, after rendering at least three years of covered correctional plan service, becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year because of sickness or injury that occurred while not engaged in covered employment and who is determined to have a regular disability, physical or psychological, as defined under section 352.01, subdivision 17c, is entitled to a regular disability benefit. The regular disability benefit must be based on covered correctional service only. The regular disability benefit must be computed as provided in section 352.93, subdivisions 1 and 2~~, and~~. The regular disability benefit of a covered correctional employee who was first hired before July 1, 2009, and who is determined to have a regular disability, physical or psychological, under this subdivision must be computed as though the employee had at least 15 years of covered correctional service.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Applying for benefits; accrual. No application for disability benefits ~~shall~~ may be made until after the last day physically on the job. The disability benefit ~~shall begin~~ begins to accrue the day following the last day for which the employee is paid sick leave or annual leave, but not earlier than 180 days before the date the application is filed. A terminated employee must file a written application within the time frame specified under section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e).

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EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Medical or psychological evidence. (a) An applicant shall provide medical, chiropractic, or psychological evidence to support an application for disability benefits. The director shall have the employee examined by at least one additional licensed physician, chiropractor, or psychologist who is designated by the medical adviser. The physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, shall make written reports to the director concerning the question of the employee's disability, including their expert opinions as to whether the employee ~~is disabled~~ has an occupational disability within the meaning of ~~this~~ section 352.01, subdivision 17a, and whether the employee has a duty disability, physical or psychological, under section 352.01, subdivision 17b, or has a regular disability, physical or psychological, under section 352.01, subdivision 17c. The director shall also obtain written certification from the employer stating whether or not the employee is on sick leave of absence because of a disability that will prevent further service to the employer performing normal duties as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 17d, or performing less frequent duties as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 17e, and as a consequence, the employee is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(b) If, on considering the reports by the physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists and any other evidence supplied by the employee or others, the medical adviser finds that the employee ~~disabled~~ has an occupational disability within the meaning of ~~this~~ section 352.01, subdivision 17a, the advisor shall make the appropriate recommendation to the director, in writing, together with the date from which the employee has been disabled. The director shall then determine the propriety of authorizing payment of a duty disability benefit or a regular disability benefit as provided in this section.

(c) Unless the payment of a disability benefit has terminated because the employee is no longer ~~disabled~~ has an occupational disability, or because the employee has reached either age 65 55 or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, the disability benefit must cease with the last payment which was received by the disabled employee or which had accrued during the employee's lifetime. While disability benefits are paid, the director has the right, at reasonable times, to require the disabled employee to submit proof of the continuance of ~~the~~ an occupational disability ~~claimed~~. If any examination indicates to the medical adviser that the employee is no longer ~~disabled~~ has an occupational disability, the disability payment must be discontinued upon the person's reinstatement to state service or within 60 days of the finding, whichever is sooner.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.95, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Retirement status at normal retirement age. The disability benefit paid to a disabled correctional employee under this section ~~shall terminate~~ terminates at the end of the month in which the employee reaches age 65 55, or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. If the disabled correctional employee is still disabled when the employee reaches age 65 55, or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, the employee ~~shall~~ must be deemed to be a retired employee. If the employee had elected an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, the employee shall receive an annuity in accordance with the terms of the optional annuity previously elected. If the employee had not elected an optional annuity under subdivision 1a, the employee may within 90 days of attaining age 65 55 or reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later, either elect to receive a normal retirement annuity computed in the manner provided in section 352.93 or elect to receive an optional annuity as provided in section 352.116, subdivision 3, based on the same length of service as used in the calculation of the disability benefit. Election of an optional annuity must be made within 90 days before attaining age 65 55 or

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reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. If an optional annuity is elected, the optional annuity ~~shall begin~~ begins to accrue on the first of the month following the month in which the employee reaches age 65 55 or the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 15. [352B.011] DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. Accumulated deductions. "Accumulated deductions" means the total sums deducted from the salary of a member and the total amount of assessments paid by a member in place of deductions and credited to the member's individual account as permitted by law without interest.

Subd. 3. Allowable service. (a) "Allowable service" means:

(1) service in a month during which a member is paid a salary from which a member contribution is deducted, deposited, and credited in the State Patrol retirement fund;

(2) for members defined in subdivision 10, clause (1), service in any month for which payments have been made to the State Patrol retirement fund under law; and

(3) for members defined in subdivision 10, clauses (2) and (3), service for which payments have been made to the State Patrol retirement fund under law, service for which payments were made to the State Police officers retirement fund under law after June 30, 1961, and all prior service which was credited to a member for service on or before June 30, 1961.

(b) Allowable service also includes any period of absence from duty by a member who, by reason of injury incurred in the performance of duty, is temporarily disabled and for which disability the state is liable under the workers' compensation law, until the date authorized by the executive director for commencement of payment of a disability benefit or until the date of a return to employment.

Subd. 4. Average monthly salary. (a) Subject to the limitations of section 356.611, "average monthly salary" means the average of the highest monthly salaries for five years of service as a member upon which contributions were deducted from pay under section 352B.02, or upon which appropriate contributions or payments were made to the fund to receive allowable service and salary credit as specified under the applicable law. Average monthly salary must be based upon all allowable service if this service is less than five years.

(b) The salary used for the calculation of "average monthly salary" means the salary of the member as defined in section 352.01, subdivision 13. The salary used for the calculation of "average monthly salary" does not include any lump-sum annual leave payments and overtime payments made at the time of separation from state service, any amounts of severance pay, or any reduced salary paid during the period the person is entitled to workers' compensation benefit payments for temporary disability.

Subd. 5. Department head. "Department head" means the head of any department, institution, or branch of the state service that directly pays salaries from state funds to a member who prepares, approves, and submits salary abstracts of employees to the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget.

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Subd. 6. Dependent child. "Dependent child" means a natural or adopted unmarried child of a deceased member under the age of 18 years, including any child of the member conceived during the lifetime of the member and born after the death of the member.

Subd. 7. Duty disability. "Duty disability" means a physical or psychological condition that is expected to prevent a member, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of the position held by the person as a member of the State Patrol retirement fund, and that is the direct result of any injury incurred during, or a disease arising out of, the performance of normal duties or the actual performance of less frequent duties, either of which are specific to protecting the property and personal safety of others and that present inherent dangers that are specific to the positions covered by the State Patrol retirement fund.

Subd. 8. Fund. "Fund" means the State Patrol retirement fund.

Subd. 9. Less frequent duties. "Less frequent duties" means tasks which are designated in the member's job description as either required from time to time or as assigned, but which are not carried out as part of the normal routine of the member's position.

Subd. 10. Member. "Member" means:

(1) a State Patrol member currently employed under section 299D.03 by the state, who is a peace officer under section 626.84, and whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds;

(2) a conservation officer employed under section 97A.201, currently employed by the state, whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds;

(3) a crime bureau officer who was employed by the crime bureau and was a member of the Highway Patrolmen's retirement fund on July 1, 1978, whether or not that person has the power of arrest by warrant after that date, or who is employed as police personnel, with powers of arrest by warrant under section 299C.04, and who is currently employed by the state, and whose salary or compensation is paid out of state funds;

(4) a person who is employed by the state in the Department of Public Safety in a data processing management position with salary or compensation paid from state funds, who was a crime bureau officer covered by the State Patrol retirement plan on August 15, 1987, and who was initially hired in the data processing management position within the department during September 1987, or January 1988, with membership continuing for the duration of the person's employment in that position, whether or not the person has the power of arrest by warrant after August 15, 1987;

(5) a public safety employee who is a peace officer under section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and who is employed by the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement under section 299L.01;

(6) a Fugitive Apprehension Unit officer after October 31, 2000, who is employed by the Office of Special Investigations of the Department of Corrections and who is a peace officer under section 626.84;

(7) an employee of the Department of Commerce defined as a peace officer in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), who is employed by the Division of Insurance Fraud Prevention under section 45.0135 after January 1, 2005, and who has not attained the mandatory retirement age specified in section 43A.34, subdivision 4; and

(8) an employee of the Department of Public Safety, who is a licensed peace officer under section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and is employed as the statewide coordinator of the Gang and Drug Oversight Council.

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Subd. 11. Normal duties. "Normal duties" means specific tasks which are designated in the member's job description and which the applicant performs on a day-to-day basis, but do not include less frequent duties which may be requested to be done by the employer from time to time.

Subd. 12. Regular disability. "Regular disability" means a physical or psychological condition that is expected to prevent a member, for a period of not less than 12 months, from performing the normal duties of the position held by a person who is a member of the State Patrol retirement plan, and which results from a disease or an injury that arises from any activities while not at work, or while at work and performing those normal or less frequent duties that do not present inherent dangers that are specific to the occupations covered by the State Patrol retirement plan.

Subd. 13. Surviving spouse. "Surviving spouse" means a member's or former member's legally married spouse who resided with the member or former member at the time of death and was married to the member or former member, for a period of at least one year, during or before the time of membership.

EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), this section is effective July 1, 2009.

(b) Subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (1), is effective retroactively from July 1, 1969, and allowable service on the records of the State Patrol retirement plan credit consistent with that provision is validated.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Fund created; membership. A State Patrol retirement fund is established. Its membership consists of all persons defined in section ~~352B.01, subdivision 2~~ 352B.011, subdivision 10.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 17. [352B.085] SERVICE CREDIT FOR CERTAIN DISABILITY LEAVES OF ABSENCE.

A member on leave of absence receiving temporary workers' compensation payments and a reduced salary or no salary from the employer who is entitled to allowable service credit for the period of absence under section 352B.011, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), may make payment to the fund for the difference between salary received, if any, and the salary that the member would normally receive if the member was not on leave of absence during the period. The member shall pay an amount equal to the member and employer contribution rate under section 352B.02, subdivisions 1b and 1c, on the differential salary amount for the period of the leave of absence. The employing department, at its option, may pay the employer amount on behalf of the member. Payment made under this subdivision must include interest at the rate of 8.5 percent per year, and must be completed within one year of the member's return from the leave of absence.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 18. [352B.086] SERVICE CREDIT FOR UNIFORMED SERVICE.

(a) A member who is absent from employment by reason of service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), and who returns to state employment in a position covered by the plan upon discharge from service in the uniformed services within the time frame required in United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), may obtain service credit for the period of the uniformed service, provided that the member did not separate from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions.

(b) The member may obtain credit by paying into the fund an equivalent member contribution based on the member contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed multiplied by the full and fractional years being purchased and applied to the annual salary rate. The annual salary rate is the average

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annual salary during the purchase period that the member would have received if the member had continued to provide employment services to the state rather than to provide uniformed service, or if the determination of that rate is not reasonably certain, the annual salary rate is the member's average salary rate during the 12-month period of covered employment rendered immediately preceding the purchase period.

(c) The equivalent employer contribution and, if applicable, the equivalent employer additional contribution, must be paid by the employing unit, using the employer and employer additional contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed, applied to the same annual salary rate or rates used to compute the equivalent member contribution.

(d) If the member equivalent contributions provided for in this subdivision are not paid in full, the member's allowable service credit must be prorated by multiplying the full and fractional number of years of uniformed service eligible for purchase by the ratio obtained by dividing the total member contributions received by the total member contributions otherwise required under this subdivision.

(e) To receive allowable service credit under this subdivision, the contributions specified in this section must be transmitted to the fund during the period which begins with the date on which the individual returns to state employment covered by the plan and which has a duration of three times the length of the uniformed service period, but not to exceed five years. If the determined payment period is calculated to be less than one year, the contributions required under this subdivision to receive service credit must be transmitted to the fund within one year from the discharge date.

(f) The amount of allowable service credit obtainable under this section may not exceed five years, unless a longer purchase period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312.

(g) The employing unit shall pay interest on all equivalent member and employer contribution amounts payable under this section. Interest must be computed at a rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the end of each fiscal year of the leave or break in service to the end of the month in which payment is received.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. ~~Injuries; payment amounts~~ Duty disability. A member who becomes disabled and who is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform duties for at least one year as a direct result of an injury, sickness, or other disability that incurred in or arose out of any act of duty is determined to qualify for duty disability as defined in section 352B.011, subdivision 7, is entitled to receive a duty disability ~~benefits~~ benefit while disabled. The benefits must be paid in monthly ~~installments~~. The duty disability benefit is an amount equal to the member's average monthly salary multiplied by 60 percent, plus an additional percent equal to that specified in section 356.315, subdivision 6, for each year and pro rata for completed months of service in excess of 20 years, if any.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. ~~Disabled while not on duty~~ Regular disability benefit. If A member with at least one year of service becomes disabled and is expected to be physically or mentally unfit to perform the duties of the position for at least one year because of sickness or injury that occurred while not engaged in covered employment, the individual who qualifies for a regular disability benefit as defined in section 352B.011, subdivision 12, is entitled to a regular disability ~~benefits~~ benefit. The regular disability benefit must be computed as if the individual were 55 years old at the date of disability and as if the annuity was payable under section 352B.08. If a regular disability under this subdivision occurs after one year of service but before 15 years of service, the regular disability benefit must be computed as though the individual had credit for 15 years of service.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2a. Applying for benefits; accrual. No application for disability benefits shall be made until after the last day physically on the job. The disability benefit begins to accrue the day following the last day for which the employee is paid sick leave or annual leave but not earlier than 180 days before the date the application is filed. A member who is terminated must file a written application within the time frame specified under section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e).

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Optional annuity. A disabilitant may elect, in lieu of spousal survivorship coverage under section 352B.11, subdivisions 2b and 2c, the normal disability benefit or an optional annuity as provided in section 352B.08, subdivision 3. The choice of an optional annuity must be made in writing, on a form prescribed by the executive director, and must be made before the commencement of the payment of the disability benefit, or within 90 days before reaching age 65 55 or before reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. The optional annuity is effective on the date on which the disability benefit begins to accrue, or the month following the attainment of age 65 55 or following the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, and applies to disability benefit applicants whose last day of public employment was after June 30, 2009.

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Death; payment to dependent children; family maximums. (a) Each dependent child, as defined in section ~~352B.01, subdivision 10~~ 352B.011, subdivision 6, is entitled to receive a monthly annuity equal to ten percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member.

(b) A dependent child over 18 and under 23 years of age also may receive the monthly benefit provided in this section if the child is continuously attending an accredited school as a full-time student during the normal school year as determined by the director. If the child does not continuously attend school, but separates from full-time attendance during any part of a school year, the annuity must cease at the end of the month of separation.

(c) In addition, a payment of $20 per month must be prorated equally to the surviving dependent children when the former member is survived by more than one dependent child.

(d) Payments for the benefit of any dependent child must be made to the surviving spouse, or if there is none, to the legal guardian of the child.

(e) The monthly benefit for any one family, including a surviving spouse benefit, if applicable, must not be less than 50 percent nor exceed 70 percent of the average monthly salary of the deceased member.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 24. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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ARTICLE 3

STATE CORRECTIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.91, subdivision 3d, is amended to read:

Subd. 3d. Other correctional personnel. (a) "Covered correctional service" means service by a state employee in one of the employment positions at a correctional facility or at the Minnesota Security Hospital specified in paragraph (b) if at least 75 percent of the employee's working time is spent in direct contact with inmates or patients and the fact of this direct contact is certified to the executive director by the appropriate commissioner.

(b) The employment positions are:

(1) automotive mechanic;

(2) baker;

~~(2)~~ (3) central services administrative specialist, intermediate;

~~(3)~~ (4) central services administrative specialist, principal;

~~(4)~~ (5) chaplain;

~~(5)~~ (6) chief cook;

~~(6)~~ (7) cook;

~~(7)~~ (8) cook coordinator;

~~(8)~~ (9) corrections program therapist 1;

~~(9)~~ (10) corrections program therapist 2;

~~(10)~~ (11) corrections program therapist 3;

~~(11)~~ (12) corrections program therapist 4;

~~(12)~~ (13) corrections inmate program coordinator;

~~(13)~~ (14) corrections transitions program coordinator;

~~(14)~~ (15) corrections security caseworker;

~~(15)~~ (16) corrections security caseworker career;

~~(16)~~ (17) corrections teaching assistant;

~~(17)~~ (18) delivery van driver;

~~(18)~~ (19) dentist;

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~~(19)~~ (20) electrician supervisor;

~~(20)~~ (21) general maintenance worker lead;

~~(21)~~ (22) general repair worker;

~~(22)~~ (23) library/information research services specialist;

~~(23)~~ (24) library/information research services specialist senior;

~~(24)~~ (25) library technician;

~~(25)~~ (26) painter lead;

~~(26)~~ (27) plant maintenance engineer lead;

~~(27)~~ (28) plumber supervisor;

~~(28)~~ (29) psychologist 1;

~~(29)~~ (30) psychologist 3;

~~(30)~~ (31) recreation therapist;

~~(31)~~ (32) recreation therapist coordinator;

~~(32)~~ (33) recreation program assistant;

~~(33)~~ (34) recreation therapist senior;

~~(34)~~ (35) sports medicine specialist;

~~(35)~~ (36) work therapy assistant;

~~(36)~~ (37) work therapy program coordinator; and

~~(37)~~ (38) work therapy technician.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from May 29, 2007.

Sec. 2. MSRS-CORRECTIONAL; ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN POSITION FROM COVERAGE.

Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 352.91, to the contrary, including Minnesota Statutes, section 352.91, subdivision 2, "covered correctional service" does not mean service rendered by a state employee as an automotive mechanic lead.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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ARTICLE 4

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.346, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Eligibility. (a) This section applies to a terminated state employee who:

(1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause (2), was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered by a pension plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System or the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(2) terminated state or Metropolitan Council employment;

(3) at the time of termination under clause (2), met the age and service requirements necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or, for a terminated employee under the unclassified employees retirement plan, met the age and service requirements necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or elected a lump-sum payment; and

(4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different appointing authority, working a reduced schedule that is both (i) a reduction of at least 25 percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and (ii) 1,044 hours or less in state or Metropolitan Council service.

(b) For purposes of this section, an unreduced retirement annuity includes a retirement annuity computed under a provision of law which permits retirement, without application of an earlier retirement reduction factor, whenever age plus years of allowable service total at least 90.

(c) For purposes of this section, as it applies to ~~staff~~ state employees who are members of the Public Employees Retirement Association who are at least age 62, the length of separation requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work agreements under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.346, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Duration. Postretirement option employment ~~shall be~~ is for an initial period not to exceed one year. During that period, the appointing authority may not modify the conditions specified in the written offer without the person's consent, except as required by law or by the collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan applicable to the person. At the end of the initial period, the appointing authority has sole discretion to determine if the offer of a postretirement option position will be renewed, renewed with modifications, or terminated. If the person is under age 62, an offer of renewal and any related verbal offer or agreement must not be made until at least 30 days after termination of the person's previous postretirement option employment. Postretirement option employment may be renewed for periods of up to one year, not to exceed a total duration of five years. No person ~~shall~~ may be employed in one or a combination of postretirement option positions under this section for a total of more than five years.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a. Member contributions. (a) ~~Each~~ The member ~~shall pay a sum equal to the following~~ contribution is 10.40 percent of the member's salary~~, which constitutes the member contribution to the fund:~~.

~~before July 1, 2007~~ ~~8.40~~

~~from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008~~ ~~9.10~~

~~from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009~~ ~~9.80~~

~~from July 1, 2009, and thereafter~~ ~~10.40.~~

(b) These contributions must be made by deduction from salary as provided in section 352.04, subdivision 4.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352B.02, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:

Subd. 1c. Employer contributions. (a) In addition to member contributions, department heads shall pay a sum equal to ~~the following~~ 15.60 percent of the salary upon which deductions were made, which ~~shall constitute~~ constitutes the employer contribution to the fund:.

~~before July 1, 2007~~ ~~12.60~~

~~from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008~~ ~~13.60~~

~~from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009~~ ~~14.60~~

~~from July 1, 2009, and thereafter~~ ~~15.60.~~

(b) Department contributions must be paid out of money appropriated to departments for this purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16. Allowable service; limits and computation. (a) "Allowable service" means:

(1) service during years of actual membership in the course of which employee deductions were withheld from salary and contributions were made, at the applicable rates under section 353.27, 353.65, or 353E.03;

(2) periods of service covered by payments in lieu of salary deductions under ~~section~~ sections 353.27, subdivision 12, and 353.35;

~~(2)~~ (3) service in years during which the public employee was not a member but for which the member later elected, while a member, to obtain credit by making payments to the fund as permitted by any law then in effect;

~~(3)~~ (4) a period of authorized leave of absence with pay from which deductions for employee contributions are made, deposited, and credited to the fund;

~~(4)~~ (5) a period of authorized personal, parental, or medical leave of absence without pay, including a leave of absence covered under the federal Family Medical Leave Act, that does not exceed one year, and for which a member obtained service credit for each month in the leave period by payment under section 353.0161 to the fund made in place of salary deductions. An employee must return to public service and render a minimum of three months of allowable service in order to be eligible to make payment under section 353.0161 for a subsequent authorized leave of absence without pay. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

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~~(5)~~ (6) a periodic, repetitive leave that is offered to all employees of a governmental subdivision. The leave program may not exceed 208 hours per annual normal work cycle as certified to the association by the employer. A participating member obtains service credit by making employee contributions in an amount or amounts based on the member's average salary that would have been paid if the leave had not been taken. The employer shall pay the employer and additional employer contributions on behalf of the participating member. The employee and the employer are responsible to pay interest on their respective shares at the rate of 8.5 percent a year, compounded annually, from the end of the normal cycle until full payment is made. An employer shall also make the employer and additional employer contributions, plus 8.5 percent interest, compounded annually, on behalf of an employee who makes employee contributions but terminates public service. The employee contributions must be made within one year after the end of the annual normal working cycle or within 20 30 days after termination of public service, whichever is sooner. The executive director shall prescribe the manner and forms to be used by a governmental subdivision in administering a periodic, repetitive leave. Upon payment, the member must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period;

~~(6)~~ (7) an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff under subdivision 12, limited to three months allowable service per authorized temporary or seasonal layoff in one calendar year. An employee who has received the maximum service credit allowed for an authorized temporary or seasonal layoff must return to public service and must obtain a minimum of three months of allowable service subsequent to the layoff in order to receive allowable service for a subsequent authorized temporary or seasonal layoff; or

~~(7)~~ (8) a period during which a member is absent from employment by a governmental subdivision by reason of service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), if the member returns to public service with the same governmental subdivision upon discharge from service in the uniformed service within the time frames required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), provided that the member did not separate from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions. The service is credited if the member pays into the fund equivalent employee contributions based upon the contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed multiplied by the full and fractional years being purchased and applied to the annual salary rate. The annual salary rate is the average annual salary during the purchase period that the member would have received if the member had continued to be employed in covered employment rather than to provide uniformed service, or, if the determination of that rate is not reasonably certain, the annual salary rate is the member's average salary rate during the 12-month period of covered employment rendered immediately preceding the period of the uniformed service. Payment of the member equivalent contributions must be made during a period that begins with the date on which the individual returns to public employment and that is three times the length of the military leave period, or within five years of the date of discharge from the military service, whichever is less. If the determined payment period is less than one year, the contributions required under this clause to receive service credit may be made within one year of the discharge date. Payment may not be accepted following 20 30 days after termination of public service under subdivision 11a. If the member equivalent contributions provided for in this clause are not paid in full, the member's allowable service credit must be prorated by multiplying the full and fractional number of years of uniformed service eligible for purchase by the ratio obtained by dividing the total member contributions received by the total member contributions otherwise required under this clause. The equivalent employer contribution, and, if applicable, the equivalent additional employer contribution must be paid by the governmental subdivision employing the member if the member makes the equivalent employee contributions. The employer payments must be made from funds available to the employing unit, using the employer and additional employer contribution rate or rates in effect at the time that the uniformed service was performed, applied to the same annual salary rate or rates used to compute the equivalent member contribution. The governmental subdivision involved may appropriate money for those payments. The amount of service credit obtainable under this section may not exceed five years unless a longer purchase period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312. The employing unit shall pay interest on all equivalent member and employer contribution amounts payable under this clause. Interest must be computed at a rate of 8.5 percent compounded annually from the end of each fiscal year of the leave or the break in service to the end of the month in which the payment is received. Upon payment, the employee must be granted allowable service credit for the purchased period.; or

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(9) a period specified under subdivision 40.

(b) For calculating benefits under sections 353.30, 353.31, 353.32, and 353.33 for state officers and employees displaced by the Community Corrections Act, chapter 401, and transferred into county service under section 401.04, "allowable service" means the combined years of allowable service as defined in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6), and section 352.01, subdivision 11.

(c) For a public employee who has prior service covered by a local police or firefighters relief association that has consolidated with the Public Employees Retirement Association or to which section 353.665 applies, and who has elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund either under section 353A.08 following the consolidation or under section 353.665, subdivision 4, "applicable service" is a period of service credited by the local police or firefighters relief association as of the effective date of the consolidation based on law and on bylaw provisions governing the relief association on the date of the initiation of the consolidation procedure.

(d) No member may receive more than 12 months of allowable service credit in a year either for vesting purposes or for benefit calculation purposes.

(e) MS 2002 [Expired]

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 16b, is amended to read:

Subd. 16b. Uncredited military service credit purchase. (a) A public employee who has at least three years of allowable service with the Public Employees Retirement Association or the public employees police and fire plan and who performed service in the United States armed forces before becoming a public employee, or who failed to obtain service credit for a military leave of absence under subdivision 16, paragraph ~~(h)~~ (a), clause 7, is entitled to purchase allowable service credit for the initial period of enlistment, induction, or call to active duty without any voluntary extension by making payment under section 356.551. This authority is voided if the public employee has ~~not~~ purchased service credit from any other Minnesota defined benefit public employee pension plan, other than a volunteer fire plan, for the same period of service, or if the separation from the United States armed forces was under less than honorable conditions.

(b) A public employee who desires to purchase service credit under paragraph (a) must apply with the executive director to make the purchase. The application must include all necessary documentation of the public employee's qualifications to make the purchase, signed written permission to allow the executive director to request and receive necessary verification of applicable facts and eligibility requirements, and any other relevant information that the executive director may require.

(c) Allowable service credit for the purchase period must be granted by the Public Employees Retirement Association or the public employees police and fire plan, whichever applies, to the purchasing public employee upon receipt of the purchase payment amount. Payment must be made before the ~~effective date of retirement of the~~ public ~~employee~~ employee's termination of public service or termination of membership, whichever is earlier.

(d) This subdivision is repealed July 1, 2013.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.0161, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Application. This section applies to employees covered by any plan specified in this chapter or chapter 353E for any period of authorized leave of absence specified in section 353.01, subdivision 16, paragraph (a), clause ~~(4)~~ (5), for which the employee obtains credit for allowable service by making payment as specified in this section to the applicable fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.03, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Executive director. (a) Appointment. The board shall appoint an executive director on the basis of education, experience in the retirement field, and leadership ability. The executive director must have had at least five years' experience in an executive level management position, which has included responsibility for pensions, deferred compensation, or employee benefits. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the board. The salary of the executive director is as provided by section 15A.0815.

(b) Duties. The management of the association is vested in the executive director who shall be the executive and administrative head of the association. The executive director shall act as adviser to the board on all matters pertaining to the association and shall also act as the secretary of the board. The executive director shall:

(1) attend all meetings of the board;

(2) prepare and recommend to the board appropriate rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter;

(3) establish and maintain an adequate system of records and accounts following recognized accounting principles and controls;

(4) designate, with the approval of the board, up to two persons who may serve in the unclassified service and whose salaries are set in accordance with section 43A.18, subdivision 3, appoint a confidential secretary in the unclassified service, and appoint employees to carry out this chapter, who are subject to chapters 43A and 179A in the same manner as are executive branch employees;

(5) organize the work of the association as the director deems necessary to fulfill the functions of the association, and define the duties of its employees and delegate to them any powers or duties, subject to the control of, and under such conditions as, the executive director may prescribe;

(6) with the approval of the board, contract for the services of an approved actuary, professional management services, and any other consulting services as necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. All contracts are subject to chapter 16C. The commissioner of administration shall not approve, and the association shall not enter into, any contract to provide lobbying services or legislative advocacy of any kind. Any approved actuary retained by the executive director shall function as the actuarial advisor of the board and the executive director ~~and may perform actuarial valuations and experience studies to supplement those performed by the actuary retained~~ . In addition to filing requirements under section 356.214., any supplemental actuarial valuations or experience studies shall be filed with the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. Copies of professional management survey reports shall be transmitted to the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the Legislative Reference Library as provided by section 3.195, and to the executive director of the commission at the same time as reports are furnished to the board. Only management firms experienced in conducting management surveys of federal, state, or local public retirement systems shall be qualified to contract with the director hereunder;

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(7) with the approval of the board provide in-service training for the employees of the association;

(8) make refunds of accumulated contributions to former members and to the designated beneficiary, surviving spouse, legal representative or next of kin of deceased members or deceased former members, as provided in this chapter;

(9) determine the amount of the annuities and disability benefits of members covered by the association and authorize payment of the annuities and benefits beginning as of the dates on which the annuities and benefits begin to accrue, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

(10) pay annuities, refunds, survivor benefits, salaries, and necessary operating expenses of the association;

(11) prepare and submit to the board and the legislature an annual financial report covering the operation of the association, as required by section 356.20;

(12) prepare and submit biennial and annual budgets to the board for its approval and submit the approved budgets to the Department of Finance for approval by the commissioner;

(13) reduce all or part of the accrued interest payable under section 353.27, subdivisions 12, 12a, and 12b, or 353.28, subdivision 5, upon receipt of proof by the association of an unreasonable processing delay or other extenuating circumstances of the employing unit; and notwithstanding section 353.27, subdivision 7, may waive the payment of accrued interest to the member if a credit has been taken by the employer to correct an employee deduction taken in error and if the accrued interest is $10 or less. The executive director shall prescribe and submit for approval by the board the conditions under which such interest may be reduced; and

(14) with the approval of the board, perform such other duties as may be required for the administration of the association and the other provisions of this chapter and for the transaction of its business.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Employee contribution. (a) For a basic member, the employee contribution is ~~the following applicable percentage of the total~~ 9.10 percent of salary ~~amount for a "basic member" and~~. For a ~~"coordinated member":~~ coordinated member, the employee contribution is six percent of salary plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b.

~~Basic Program~~ ~~Coordinated Program~~

~~Effective before January 1, 2006~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.10~~

~~Effective January 1, 2006~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.50~~

~~Effective January 1, 2007~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.75~~

~~Effective January 1, 2008~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~6.00 plus any contribution rate~~

~~adjustment under subdivision 3b~~

(b) These contributions must be made by deduction from salary as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 10, in the manner provided in subdivision 4. If any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution must be based on the total salary received by the member from all sources.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Employer contribution. (a) For a basic member, the employer contribution is ~~the following applicable percentage of the total~~ 9.10 percent of salary ~~amount for "basic members" and~~. For ~~"coordinated members":~~ a coordinated member, the employer contribution is six percent of salary plus any contribution rate adjustment under subdivision 3b.

~~Basic Program~~ ~~Coordinated Program~~

~~Effective before January 1, 2006~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.10~~

~~Effective January 1, 2006~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.50~~

~~Effective January 1, 2007~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~5.75~~

~~Effective January 1, 2008~~ ~~9.10~~ ~~6.00 plus any contribution rate~~

~~adjustment under subdivision 3b~~

(b) This contribution must be made from funds available to the employing subdivision by the means and in the manner provided in section 353.28.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Adjustment for erroneous receipts or disbursements. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions and additional employer contributions for a person, who otherwise does not qualify for membership under this chapter, are considered:

(1) valid if the initial erroneous deduction began before January 1, 1990. Upon determination of the error by the association, the person may continue membership in the association while employed in the same position for which erroneous deductions were taken, or file a written election to terminate membership and apply for a refund upon termination of public service or defer an annuity under section 353.34; or

(2) invalid, if the initial erroneous employee deduction began on or after January 1, 1990. Upon determination of the error, the association shall refund all erroneous employee deductions and all erroneous employer contributions as specified in paragraph ~~(d)~~ (e). No person may claim a right to continued or past membership in the association based on erroneous deductions which began on or after January 1, 1990.

(b) Erroneous deductions taken from the salary of a person who did not qualify for membership in the association by virtue of concurrent employment before July 1, 1978, which required contributions to another retirement fund or relief association established for the benefit of officers and employees of a governmental subdivision, are invalid. Upon discovery of the error, the association shall remove all invalid service and, upon termination of public service, the association shall refund all erroneous employee deductions to the person, with interest as determined under section 353.34, subdivision 2, and all erroneous employer contributions without interest to the employer. This paragraph has both retroactive and prospective application.

(c) Adjustments to correct employer contributions and employee deductions taken in error from amounts which are not salary under section 353.01, subdivision 10, ~~are invalid upon discovery by the association and~~ must be ~~refunded~~ made as specified in paragraph ~~(d)~~ (e). The period of adjustment must be limited to the fiscal year in which the error is discovered by the association and the immediate two preceding fiscal years.

(d) If there is evidence of fraud or other misconduct on the part of the employee or the employer, the board of trustees may authorize adjustments to the account of a member or former member to correct erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions on invalid salary and the recovery of any overpayments for a period longer than provided for under paragraph (c).

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~~(d)~~ (e) Upon discovery of the receipt of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions under paragraph (a), clause (2), or paragraph (c), the association must require the employer to discontinue the erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions reported on behalf of a member. Upon discontinuation, the association ~~either~~ must ~~refund~~ :

(1) for a member, provide a refund or credit to the employer in the amount of the invalid employee deductions ~~to the person without interest and~~ with interest on the invalid employee deductions at the rate specified under section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction through the date the credit or refund is made; and the employer must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the member;

(2) for a former member who:

(i) is not receiving a retirement annuity or benefit, return the erroneous employee deductions to the former member through a refund with interest at the rate specified under section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction through the date the credit or refund is made; or

(ii) is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit, or a person who is receiving an optional annuity or survivor benefit, for whom it has been determined an overpayment must be recovered, adjust the payment amount and recover the overpayments as provided under this section; and

(3) return the invalid employer contributions reported on behalf of a member or former member to the employer ~~or provide~~ by providing a credit against future contributions payable by the employer for the amount of all erroneous deductions and contributions. If the employing unit receives a credit under this paragraph, the employing unit is responsible for refunding to the applicable employee any amount that had been erroneously deducted from the person's salary. In the event that a retirement annuity or disability benefit has been computed using invalid service or salary, the association must adjust the annuity or benefit and recover any overpayment under subdivision 7b.

~~(e)~~ (f) In the event that a salary warrant or check from which a deduction for the retirement fund was taken has been canceled or the amount of the warrant or check returned to the funds of the department making the payment, a refund of the sum deducted, or any portion of it that is required to adjust the deductions, must be made to the department or institution.

(f) Any refund to a member under this subdivision that is reasonably determined to cause the plan to fail to be a qualified plan under section 401(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as amended, may not be refunded and instead must be credited against future contributions payable by the employer. The employer receiving the credit is responsible for refunding to the applicable employee any amount that had been erroneously deducted from the person's salary.

(g) If the accrual date of any retirement annuity, survivor benefit, or disability benefit is within the limitation period specified in paragraph (c), and an overpayment has resulted by using invalid service or salary, or due to any erroneous calculation procedure, the association must recalculate the annuity or benefit payable and recover any overpayment as provided under subdivision 7b.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the association may apply the Revenue Procedures defined in the federal Internal Revenue Service Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System and not issue a refund of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions or not recover a small overpayment of benefits if the cost to correct the error would exceed the amount of the member refund or overpayment.

(i) Any fees or penalties assessed by the federal Internal Revenue Service for any failure by an employer to follow the statutory requirements for reporting eligible members and salary must be paid by the employer.

EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) This section is effective the day following enactment.

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(b) The interest required on deductions in error as provided in paragraph (e) must be applied to any refunds paid on or after June 1, 2009.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivision 7b, is amended to read:

Subd. 7b. Recovery of overpayments ~~to members~~. (a) In the event ~~of an overpayment to a member, retiree, beneficiary, or other person,~~ the executive director shall recover the overpayment by suspending or reducing the payment of a retirement annuity, refund, disability benefit, survivor benefit, or optional annuity payable to the applicable person or the person's estate, whichever applies, under this chapter until all outstanding money has been recovered determines that an overpaid annuity or benefit that is the result of invalid salary included in the average salary used to calculate the payment amount must be recovered, the association must determine the amount of the employee deductions taken in error on the invalid salary, with interest determined in the manner provided for a former member under subdivision 7, paragraph (e), clause (2), item (i), and must subtract that amount from the total annuity or benefit overpayment, and the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit, if any, must be recovered.

(b) If the invalid employee deductions plus interest exceed the amount of the overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the benefit or annuity is being paid.

(c) Any invalid employer contributions reported on the invalid salary must be credited to the employer as provided in subdivision 7, paragraph (e).

(d) If a member or former member, who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit for which an overpayment is being recovered, dies before recovery of the overpayment is completed and a joint and survivor optional annuity is payable, the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit must continue to be recovered from the payment to the optional annuity beneficiary.

(e) If the association finds that a refund has been overpaid to a former member, beneficiary or other person, the amount of the overpayment must be recovered.

(f) The board of trustees shall adopt policies directing the period of time and manner for the collection of any overpaid retirement or optional annuity, and survivor or disability benefit, or a refund that the executive director determines must be recovered as provided under this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Age, service, and salary requirements. A coordinated or basic member who has at least three years of allowable service and becomes totally and permanently disabled before normal retirement age, ~~and a basic member who has at least three years of allowable service and who becomes totally and permanently disabled,~~ upon application as defined under section 353.031, is entitled to a disability benefit in an amount determined under subdivision 3. If the disabled person's public service has terminated at any time, at least two of the required three years of allowable service must have been rendered after last becoming an active member.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1a. Benefit restriction. No person is entitled to receive disability benefits and a retirement annuity at the same time.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11. Coordinated member disabilitant transfer to retirement status. ~~No person is entitled to receive disability benefits and a retirement annuity at the same time.~~ The disability benefits paid to a coordinated member must terminate when the person reaches normal retirement age. If the coordinated member is still totally and permanently disabled upon attaining normal retirement age, the coordinated member is deemed to be on retirement status. If an optional annuity is elected under subdivision 3a, the coordinated member shall receive an annuity under the terms of the optional annuity previously elected, or, if an optional annuity is not elected under subdivision 3a, the coordinated member may elect to receive a normal retirement annuity under section 353.29 or an annuity equal to the disability benefit paid before the coordinated member reaches normal retirement age, whichever amount is greater, or elect to receive an optional annuity under section 353.30, subdivision 3. The annuity of a disabled coordinated member who attains normal retirement age must be computed under the law in effect upon attainment of normal retirement age. Election of an optional annuity must be made before the coordinated member attains normal retirement age. If an optional annuity is elected, the election is effective on the date on which the person attains normal retirement age and the optional annuity begins to accrue on the first day of the month next following the month in which the person attains that age.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.33, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12. Basic ~~disability~~ disabilitant transfer to retirement status; survivor benefits. (a) If a basic member who is receiving a disability benefit under subdivision 3:

~~(1)~~ dies before attaining age 65 or within five years of the effective date of the disability, whichever is later, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive a survivor benefit under section 353.31, ~~unless~~ and any dependent child or children are entitled to dependent child benefits under section 353.31, subdivision 1b, paragraph (b). If there are no dependent children, in lieu of the survivor benefit specified under section 353.31, the surviving spouse ~~elected~~ may elect to receive a refund under section 353.32, subdivision 1;.

~~(2)~~ (b) If a basic member who is receiving a disability benefit under subdivision 3 is living at age 65 or five years after the effective date of the disability, whichever is later, the basic member may ~~continue to~~ receive a normal retirement annuity equal to the disability benefit previously received, adjusted for the amount no longer payable under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or the person may elect a joint and survivor optional annuity under section 353.31, subdivision 1b. The election of the joint and survivor optional annuity must occur within 90 days of attaining age 65 or of reaching the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later. The optional annuity takes effect on the first day of the month following the month in which the person attains age 65 or reaches the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the disability benefit, whichever is later~~; or~~.

~~(3) if there is a dependent child or children under clause (1) or (2), the dependent child is entitled to a dependent child benefit under section 353.31, subdivision 1b, paragraph (b).~~

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.65, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Employee contribution ~~rate~~. ~~(a)~~ The employee contribution is ~~an amount equal to the~~ 9.4 percent of the ~~total~~ salary of the member ~~specified in paragraph (b)~~. This contribution must be made by deduction from salary in the manner provided in subdivision 4. Where any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution is based on the total salary received from all sources.

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(b) For calendar year 2006, the employee contribution rate is 7.0 percent. For calendar year 2007, the employee contribution rate is 7.8 percent. For calendar year 2008, the employee contribution rate is 8.6 percent. For calendar year 2009 and thereafter, the employee contribution rate is 9.4 percent.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Employer contribution ~~rate~~. ~~(a)~~ The employer contribution ~~shall be an amount equal to the~~ is 14.1 percent of the ~~total~~ salary of ~~every~~ the member ~~as specified in paragraph (b)~~. This contribution ~~shall~~ must be made from funds available to the employing subdivision by the means and in the manner provided in section 353.28.

(b) For calendar year 2006, the employer contribution rate is 10.5 percent. For calendar year 2007, the employer contribution rate is 11.7 percent. For calendar year 2008, the employer contribution rate is 12.9 percent. For calendar year 2009 and thereafter, the employer contribution rate is 14.1 percent.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353A.08, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a. Military service contribution and refund. A person who was an active member of a local police or firefighters relief association upon its consolidation with the public employees retirement association, and who was otherwise eligible for automatic service credit for military service under Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 423.57, and who has not elected the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund at the time of consolidation, must make employee contributions under section 353.01, subdivision 16, paragraph ~~(h)~~ (a), clause (8), to receive allowable service credit from the association for a military service leave after the effective date of the consolidation. A person who later elects, under subdivision 3, to retain benefit coverage under the bylaws of the local relief association is eligible for a refund from the association at the time of retirement. The association shall refund the employee contributions plus interest at the rate of six percent, compounded quarterly, from the date on which contributions were made until the first day of the month in which the refund is paid. The employer shall receive a refund of the employer contributions. The association shall not pay a refund to a person who later elects, under subdivision 3, the type of benefit coverage provided by the public employees police and fire fund or to the person's employer.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353F.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Medical facility. "Medical facility" means:

(1) Bridges Medical Services;

(2) the City of Cannon Falls Hospital;

(3) Clearwater County Memorial Hospital doing business as Clearwater Health Services in Bagley;

(4) the Dassel Lakeside Community Home;

(5) the Fair Oaks Lodge, Wadena;

(6) the Glencoe Area Health Center;

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(7) Hutchinson Area Health Care;

(8) the Lakefield Nursing Home;

(9) the Lakeview Nursing Home in Gaylord;

(10) the Luverne Public Hospital;

(11) the Oakland Park Nursing Home;

(12) the RenVilla Nursing Home;

(13) the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, with respect to the Department of Radiology and the Department of Radiation/Oncology;

(14) the St. Peter Community Health Care Center;

(15) the Waconia-Ridgeview Medical Center; ~~and~~

(16) the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc.; and

(17) the Worthington Regional Hospital.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 353F.02, subdivision 3.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 42. Fiscal year. The fiscal year of the association begins on July 1 of each calendar year and ends on June 30 of the following calendar year.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Employee contribution. (a) For a basic member, the employee contribution to the fund is ~~an amount equal to the following percentage~~ 9.0 percent of the member's salary ~~of a member:~~. For a coordinated member, the employee contribution is 5.5 percent of the member's salary.

~~(1) after July 1, 2006, for a teacher employed by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member, and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member;~~

~~(2) for every other teacher, after July 1, 2006, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member.~~

(b) This contribution must be made by deduction from salary. Where any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution must be based on the entire salary received.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Retirement annuity accrual date. (a) An annuity payment begins to accrue, provided that the age and service requirements under subdivision 1 are satisfied, after the termination of teaching service, or after the application for retirement has been filed with the ~~board, whichever is later~~ executive director, as follows:

(1) on the ~~16th~~ day of after the ~~month of~~ termination ~~or filing if the termination or filing occurs on or before the 15th day of the month~~ of teaching service;

(2) on the ~~first day of the month following the month of termination or filing if the termination or filing occurs on or after the 16th day of the month~~ day of receipt of application if the application is filed with the executive director after the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching service;

(3) on July 1 for all school principals and other administrators who receive a full annual contract salary during the fiscal year for performance of a full year's contract duties; or

(4) a later date to be either the first or the 16th day of a month occurring within the six-month period immediately following the termination of teaching service as specified under paragraph (b) by the member.

~~(b)~~ (4) if an application for retirement is filed with the ~~board~~ executive director during the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching service, the annuity may begin to accrue as if the application for retirement had been filed with the board on the date teaching service terminated ~~or a later date under paragraph (a), clause (4)~~.

(b) A member, or a person authorized to act on behalf of the member, may specify a different date of retirement from that determined in paragraph (a), as follows:

(1) if the application is filed on or before the date of termination of teaching service, the accrual date may be a date no earlier than the day after the termination of teaching service and no later than six months after the termination date; or

(2) if the application is filed during the six-month period that occurs immediately following the termination of teaching service, the accrual date may begin to accrue retroactively, but no earlier than the day after teaching service terminated and no later than six months after the termination date.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2010.

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Resumption of teaching service after retirement. (a) Any person who retired under the provisions of this chapter and has thereafter resumed teaching in any employer unit to which this chapter applies is eligible to continue to receive payments in accordance with the annuity except that all or a portion of the annuity payments must be deferred during the calendar year immediately following ~~any calendar~~ the fiscal year in which the person's salary from the teaching service is in an amount greater than $46,000. The amount of the annuity deferral is one-half of the salary amount in excess of $46,000 and must be deducted from the annuity payable for the calendar year immediately following the ~~calendar~~ fiscal year in which the excess amount was earned.

(b) If the person is retired for only a fractional part of the ~~calendar~~ fiscal year during the initial year of retirement, the maximum reemployment salary exempt from triggering a deferral as specified in this subdivision must be prorated for that ~~calendar~~ fiscal year.

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(c) After a person has reached the Social Security normal retirement age, no deferral requirement is applicable regardless of the amount of salary.

(d) The amount of the retirement annuity deferral must be handled or disposed of as provided in section 356.47.

(e) For the purpose of this subdivision, salary from teaching service includes, but is not limited to:

(1) all income for services performed as a consultant or an independent contractor for an employer unit covered by the provisions of this chapter; and

(2) the greater of either the income received or an amount based on the rate paid with respect to an administrative position, consultant, or independent contractor in an employer unit with approximately the same number of pupils and at the same level as the position occupied by the person who resumes teaching service.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2010.

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.47, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Death before retirement. (a) If a member dies before retirement and is covered under section 354.44, subdivision 2, and neither an optional annuity, nor a reversionary annuity, nor a benefit under section 354.46, subdivision 1, is payable to the survivors if the member was a basic member, then the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the designated beneficiary is entitled to an amount equal to the member's accumulated deductions with interest credited to the account of the member to the date of death of the member. If the designated beneficiary is a minor, interest must be credited to the date the beneficiary reaches legal age, or the date of receipt, whichever is earlier.

(b) If a member dies before retirement and is covered under section 354.44, subdivision 6, and neither an optional annuity, nor reversionary annuity, nor the benefit described in section 354.46, subdivision 1, is payable to the survivors if the member was a basic member, then the surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the designated beneficiary is entitled to an amount equal to the member's accumulated deductions credited to the account of the member as of June 30, 1957, and from July 1, 1957, to the date of death of the member, the member's accumulated deductions plus six percent interest compounded annually.

(c) If the designated beneficiary under paragraph (b) is a minor, any interest credited under that paragraph must be credited to the date the beneficiary reaches legal age, or the date of receipt, whichever is earlier.

(d) The amount of any refund payable under this subdivision must be reduced by any permanent disability payment under section 354.48 received by the member.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Determination by executive director. (a) The executive director shall have the member examined by at least two licensed physicians, licensed chiropractors, or licensed psychologists ~~selected by the medical adviser~~.

(b) These physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, shall make written reports to the executive director concerning the member's disability, including expert opinions as to whether or not the member is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354.05, subdivision 14.

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(c) The executive director shall also obtain written certification from the last employer stating whether or not the member was separated from service because of a disability which would reasonably prevent further service to the employer and as a consequence the member is not entitled to compensation from the employer.

(d) If, upon the consideration of the reports of the physicians, chiropractors, or psychologists and any other evidence presented by the member or by others interested therein, the executive director finds that the member is totally and permanently disabled, the executive director shall grant the member a disability benefit.

(e) An employee who is placed on leave of absence without compensation because of disability is not barred from receiving a disability benefit.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.48, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Regular physical examinations. At least once each year during the first five years following the allowance of a disability benefit to any member, and at least once in every three-year period thereafter, the executive director ~~shall~~ may require the disability ~~beneficiary~~ recipient to undergo an expert examination by a physician or physicians, by a chiropractor or chiropractors, or by one or more psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, engaged by the executive director. If an examination indicates that the member is no longer permanently and totally disabled or that the member is engaged or is able to engage in a substantial gainful occupation, payments of the disability benefit by the association must be discontinued. The payments must be discontinued as soon as the member is reinstated to the payroll following sick leave, but payment may not be made for more than 60 days after the physicians, the chiropractors, or the psychologists engaged by the executive director find that the person is no longer permanently and totally disabled.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.49, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Calculation. (a) Except as provided in section 354.44, subdivision 1, any person who ceases to be a member by reason of termination of teaching service, ~~shall~~ is entitled to receive a refund in an amount equal to the accumulated deductions credited to the account as of June 30, 1957, and after July 1, 1957, the accumulated deductions with interest at the rate of six percent per annum compounded annually. For the purpose of this subdivision, interest ~~shall~~ must be computed on fiscal year end balances to the first day of the month in which the refund is issued.

(b) If the person has received permanent disability payments under section 354.48, the refund amount must be reduced by the amount of those payments.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.52, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a. ~~Annual~~ Postretirement income ~~reports~~ reporting. ~~On or before each February 15, a representative authorized by an~~ Each employing unit must report to the executive director the amount of income earned during the previous ~~calendar~~ fiscal year by each retiree for teaching service performed after retirement. This ~~annual report must be~~ shall be done through the payroll reporting system and is based on reemployment income as defined in section 354.44, subdivision 5~~, and it must be made on a form provided by the executive director~~. ~~Signing~~ Submitting the ~~report~~ salary data through payroll reporting has the force and effect of an oath as to the correctness of the amount of postretirement reemployment income earned.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2010.

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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.52, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:

Subd. 4b. Payroll cycle reporting requirements. An employing unit shall provide the following data to the association for payroll warrants on an ongoing basis within 14 calendar days after the date of the payroll warrant in a format prescribed by the executive director:

(1) association member number;

(2) employer-assigned employee number;

(3) Social Security number;

(4) amount of each salary deduction;

(5) amount of salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 35, from which each deduction was made;

(6) reason for payment;

(7) service credit;

(8) the beginning and ending dates of the payroll period covered and the date of actual payment;

(9) fiscal year of salary earnings;

(10) total remittance amount including employee, employer, and additional employer contributions; ~~and~~

(11) reemployed annuitant salary under section 354.44, subdivision 5; and

~~(11)~~ (12) other information as may be required by the executive director.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2010.

Sec. 31. [354.543] PRIOR OR UNCREDITED MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE.

Subdivision 1. Service credit purchase authorized. (a) If paragraph (b) does not apply, a teacher who has at least three years of allowable service credit with the Teachers Retirement Association and who performed service in the United States armed forces before becoming a teacher as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 2, or who failed to obtain service credit for a military leave of absence under the provisions of section 354.53, is entitled to purchase allowable and formula service credit for the initial period of enlistment, induction, or call to active duty without any voluntary extension by making payment under section 356.551.

(b) A service credit purchase is prohibited if:

(1) the teacher separated from service with the United States armed forces with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions; or

(2) the teacher has purchased or otherwise received service credit from any Minnesota defined benefit public employee pension plan, other than a volunteer fire plan, for the same period of service.

Subd. 2. Application and documentation. A teacher who desires to purchase service credit under subdivision 1 must apply with the executive director to make the purchase. The application must include all necessary documentation of the teacher's qualifications to make the purchase, signed written permission to allow the executive director to request and receive necessary verification of applicable facts and eligibility requirements, and any other relevant information that the executive director may require.

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Subd. 3. Service credit grant. Allowable and formula service credit for the purchase period must be granted by the Teachers Retirement Association to the purchasing teacher upon receipt of the purchase payment amount. Payment must be made before the teacher's termination of teaching service.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.55, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11. Deferred annuity; augmentation. (a) Any person covered under section 354.44, subdivision 6, who ceases to render teaching service, may leave the person's accumulated deductions in the fund for the purpose of receiving a deferred annuity at retirement. ~~Eligibility for an annuity under this subdivision is governed pursuant to section 354.44, subdivision 1, or 354.60.~~

(b) The amount of the deferred retirement annuity is determined by section 354.44, subdivision 6, and augmented as provided in this subdivision. The required reserves ~~related to that portion of~~ for the annuity which had accrued when the member ceased to render teaching service must be augmented, as further specified in this subdivision, by interest compounded annually from the first day of the month following the month during which the member ceased to render teaching service to the effective date of retirement.

(c) ~~There shall be~~ No augmentation is not creditable if ~~this~~ the deferral period is less than three months or if ~~this period commences prior to~~ deferral commenced before July 1, 1971. The rates of interest used for this purpose must be five percent compounded annually commencing July 1, 1971, until January 1, 1981, and three percent compounded annually thereafter until January 1 of the year following the year in which the former member attains age 55 and from that date to the effective date of retirement, the rate is five percent compounded annually if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually if the employee becomes an employee after June 30, 2006.

(d) For persons who became covered employees before July 1, 2006, with a deferral period commencing after June 30, 1971, the annuity must be augmented using five percent interest compounded annually until January 1, 1981, and three percent interest compounded annually thereafter until January 1 of the year following the year in which the deferred annuitant attains age 55. From that date to the effective date of retirement, the rate is five percent compounded annually.

(e) For persons who become covered employees after June 30, 2006, the interest rate used to augment the deferred annuity is 2.5 percent interest compounded annually.

(f) If a person has more than one period of uninterrupted service, a separate average salary determined under section 354.44, subdivision 6, must be used for each period and the required reserves related to each period must be augmented ~~by interest pursuant to~~ as specified in this subdivision. The sum of the augmented required reserves ~~so determined shall be the basis for purchasing~~ is the present value of the ~~deferred~~ annuity. For the purposes of this subdivision, "period of uninterrupted service" means a period of covered teaching service during which the member has not been separated from active service for more than one fiscal year.

(g) If a person repays a refund, the service restored by the repayment must be considered as continuous with the next period of service for which the person has allowable service credit ~~with this fund~~ in the Teachers Retirement Association.

(h) If a person does not render teaching service in any one fiscal year or more consecutive fiscal years and then resumes teaching service, the formula percentages used from the date of the resumption of teaching service must be those applicable to new members.

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(i) The mortality table and interest assumption used to compute the annuity must be the applicable mortality table established by the board under section 354.07, subdivision 1, and the interest rate assumption under section 356.215 in effect when the member retires. A period of uninterrupted service for the purposes of this subdivision means a period of covered teaching service during which the member has not been separated from active service for more than one fiscal year.

~~(c)~~ (j) In no case ~~shall~~ may the annuity payable under this subdivision be less than the amount of annuity payable ~~pursuant to~~ under section 354.44, subdivision 6.

~~(d)~~ (k) The requirements and provisions for retirement before normal retirement age contained in section 354.44, subdivision 6, ~~clause (3) or (5), shall~~ also apply to an employee fulfilling the requirements with a combination of service as provided in section 354.60.

~~(e)~~ (l) The augmentation provided by this subdivision applies to the benefit provided in section 354.46, subdivision 2.

~~(f)~~ (m) The augmentation provided by this subdivision ~~shall~~ does not apply to any period in which a person is on an approved leave of absence from an employer unit covered by the provisions of this chapter.

~~(g)~~ (n) The retirement annuity or disability benefit of, or the survivor benefit payable on behalf of, a former teacher who terminated service before July 1, 1997, which is not first payable until after June 30, 1997, must be increased on an actuarial equivalent basis to reflect the change in the postretirement interest rate actuarial assumption under section 356.215, subdivision 8, from five percent to six percent under a calculation procedure and tables adopted by the board as recommended by an approved actuary and approved by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.096, is amended to read:

354A.096 MEDICAL LEAVE.

Any teacher in the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association who is on an authorized medical leave of absence and subsequently returns to teaching service is entitled to receive allowable service credit, not to exceed one year, for the period of leave, upon making the prescribed payment to the fund. This payment must include the required employee and employer contributions at the rates specified in section 354A.12, subdivisions 1 and 2 2a, as applied to the member's average full-time monthly salary rate on the date the leave of absence commenced plus annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent per year from the end of the fiscal year during which the leave terminates to the end of the month during which payment is made. The member must pay the total amount required unless the employing unit, at its option, pays the employer contributions. The total amount required must be paid by the end of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the leave of absence terminated or before the member retires, whichever is earlier. Payment must be accompanied by a copy of the resolution or action of the employing authority granting the leave and the employing authority, upon granting the leave, must certify the leave to the association in a manner specified by the executive director. A member may not receive more than one year of allowable service credit during any fiscal year by making payment under this section. A member may not receive disability benefits under section 354A.36 and receive allowable service credit under this section for the same period of time.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

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Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a. Employer regular and additional ~~contribution rates~~ contributions. (a) The employing units shall make the following employer contributions to teachers retirement fund associations:

(1) ~~for any coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall pay the employer Social Security taxes;~~

~~(2)~~ for any coordinated member of one of the following teachers retirement fund associations in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund association in an amount equal to the designated percentage of the salary of the coordinated member as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association 4.50 percent

St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association 4.50 percent

~~(3)~~ (2) for any basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund in an amount equal to 8.00 percent of the salary of the basic member;

~~(4)~~ (3) for a basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to 3.64 percent of the salary of the basic member;

~~(5)~~ (4) for a coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the coordinated member's salary, as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association 1.29 percent

St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association 3.84 percent

~~July 1, 1993 - June 30, 1994~~ ~~0.50 percent~~

~~July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995~~ ~~1.50 percent~~

~~July 1, 1997, and thereafter~~ ~~3.84 percent~~

(b) The regular and additional employer contributions must be remitted directly to the respective teachers retirement fund association at least once each month. Delinquent amounts are payable with interest under the procedure in subdivision 1a.

(c) Payments of regular and additional employer contributions for school district or technical college employees who are paid from normal operating funds must be made from the appropriate fund of the district or technical college.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Adjustment for erroneous receipts. (a) Adjustments to correct employer contributions and employee deductions taken in error from amounts which are not salary under section 354A.011, subdivision 24, must be made as specified in this section.

(b) Upon discovery of the receipt of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions under paragraph (a), the executive director must require the employer to discontinue the erroneous employee deductions and erroneous employer contributions reported on behalf of an active member. Upon discontinuation, the executive

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director must provide for a refund or credit to the employer in the amount of the invalid employee deductions with interest on the employee deductions at the rate specified in section 354A.37, subdivision 3, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction to the first day of the month in which the credit or refund is made. The employer must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the active member.

(c) If the individual is a former member who is not receiving a retirement annuity or benefit and has not received a refund under section 354A.37, subdivision 3, related to the applicable service, the executive director must return the erroneous employee deductions to the former member through a refund with interest at the rate specified in section 354A.37, subdivision 3, from the received date of each invalid salary transaction to the first day of the month in which the credit or refund is made.

(d) The executive director must return the invalid employer contributions reported on behalf of a member or former member to the employer by providing a credit against future contributions payable by the employer.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Recovery of benefit overpayments. (a) If the executive director discovers, within the time period specified in subdivision 8 following the payment of a refund or the accrual date of any retirement annuity, survivor benefit, or disability benefit, that benefit overpayment has occurred due to using invalid service or salary, or due to any erroneous calculation procedure, the executive director must recalculate the annuity or benefit payable and recover any overpayment. The executive director shall recover the overpayment by requiring direct repayment or by suspending or reducing the payment of a retirement annuity or other benefit payable under this chapter to the applicable person or the person's estate, whichever applies, until all outstanding amounts have been recovered.

(b) In the event the executive director determines that an overpaid annuity or benefit that is the result of invalid salary included in the average salary used to calculate the payment amount must be recovered, the executive director must determine the amount of the employee deductions taken in error on the invalid salary, with interest as determined under 354A.37, subdivision 3, and must subtract that amount from the total annuity or benefit overpayment, and the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit, if any, must be recovered.

(c) If the invalid employee deductions plus interest exceed the amount of the overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the benefit or annuity is being paid.

(d) Any invalid employer contributions reported on the invalid salary must be credited against future contributions payable by the employer.

(e) If a member or former member, who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit for which an overpayment is being recovered, dies before recovery of the overpayment is completed and an optional annuity or refund is payable, the remaining balance of the overpaid annuity or benefit must continue to be recovered from the payment to the optional annuity beneficiary or refund recipient.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 8. Additional procedures. (a) If paragraph (b) does not apply, the period of adjustment under subdivisions 6 and 7 is limited to the fiscal year in which the error is discovered by the executive director and the immediate two preceding fiscal years.

(b) If there is evidence of fraud or other misconduct on the part of the employee or the employer, the board of trustees may authorize adjustments to the account of a member or former member to correct erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions on invalid salary and the recovery of any overpayments for a period longer than specified under paragraph (a).

(c) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the executive director may apply the Revenue Procedures defined in the Internal Revenue Service Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System and not issue a refund of erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions or not recover a small overpayment of benefits if the cost to correct the error would exceed the amount of the refund or overpayment.

(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, interest of $10 or less shall not be payable to a member or former member.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 9. Employer responsibility for fees, penalties. Any fees or penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service for any failure by an employer to follow the statutory requirements for reporting eligible members and salary must be paid by the employer.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.36, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Requirement for regular physical examinations. At least once each year during the first five years following the granting of a disability benefit to a coordinated member by the board and at least once in every three year period thereafter, the board ~~shall~~ may require the disability benefit recipient to undergo an expert examination as a condition for continued entitlement of the benefit recipient to receive a disability benefit. If the board requires an examination, the expert examination must be made at the place of residence of the disability benefit recipient or at any other place mutually agreeable to the disability benefit recipient and the board. The expert examination must be made by a physician or physicians, by a chiropractor or chiropractors, or by one or more psychologists engaged by the board. The physician or physicians, the chiropractor or chiropractors, or the psychologist or psychologists with respect to a mental impairment, conducting the expert examination shall make a written report to the board concerning the disability benefit recipient and the recipient's disability, including a statement of the expert opinion of the physician, chiropractor, or psychologist as to whether or not the member remains permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354A.011, subdivision 14. If the board determines from consideration of the written expert examination report of the physician, of the chiropractor, or of the psychologist, with respect to a mental impairment, that the disability benefit recipient is no longer permanently and totally disabled or if the board determines that the benefit recipient is engaged or is able to engage in a gainful occupation, unless the disability benefit recipient is partially employed under subdivision 7, then further disability benefit payments from the fund must be discontinued. The discontinuation of disability benefits must occur immediately if the disability recipient is

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reinstated to the district payroll following sick leave and within 60 days of the determination by the board following the expert examination and report of the physician or physicians, chiropractor or chiropractors, or psychologist or psychologists engaged by the board that the disability benefit recipient is no longer permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of section 354A.011, subdivision 14.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Automatic deposits. (a) The chief administrative officer of a covered retirement plan may remit, through an automatic deposit system, annuity, benefit, or refund payments only to a financial institution associated with the National Automated Clearinghouse Association or a comparable successor organization that is trustee for a person who is eligible to receive the annuity, benefit, or refund.

(b) Upon the request of a retiree, disabilitant, survivor, or former member, the chief administrative officer of a covered retirement plan may remit the annuity, benefit, or refund ~~check~~ payment to the applicable financial institution for deposit in the person's individual account or the person's joint account. If an overpayment of benefits is paid after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient, the chief administrative officer of the pension plan is authorized to issue an administrative subpoena consistent with the requirements of section 13A.02, requiring the applicable financial institution to disclose the names of all joint and co-owners of the account and a description of all deposits to, and withdrawals from, the account which take place on or after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient. An overpayment to a joint account after the death of the annuitant or benefit recipient must be repaid to the fund of the applicable covered retirement plan by the joint tenant if the overpayment is not repaid to that fund by the financial institution associated with the National Automated Clearinghouse Association or its successor. The governing board of the covered retirement plan may prescribe the conditions under which these payments may be made.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.465, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Inclusion as recipient. ~~Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary of the laws, articles of incorporation, or bylaws governing a covered retirement plan specified in subdivision 3,~~ A retiring member may designate a qualified supplemental needs trust under subdivision 2 as the remainder recipient on an optional retirement annuity form for a period not to exceed the lifetime of the beneficiary of the supplemental needs trust.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.465, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4. Expanded eligibility. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, for a retirement plan specified in paragraph (b), a designation under subdivision 1 may be made by an active, disabled, deferred, or retiring member.

(b) The applicable plan is the Teachers Retirement Association established under chapter 354.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.611, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Maximum benefit limitations. A member's annual benefit, if necessary, must be reduced to the extent required by section 415(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as adjusted by the United States secretary of the treasury under section 415(d) of the Internal Revenue Code for any applicable increases in the cost of living after the

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member's termination of employment. For purposes of section 415 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, the limitation year of a pension plan covered by this section must be the fiscal year or calendar year of that plan, whichever is applicable. ~~The accrued benefit limitation described in section 415(e) of the Internal Revenue Code must cease to be effective for limitation years beginning after December 31, 1999.~~

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.611, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Compensation. (a) For purposes of this section, compensation means a member's compensation actually paid or made available for any limitation year ~~determined as provided by~~ including items described in federal treasury regulation section ~~1.415-2(d)(10)~~ 1.415(c)-2(b) and excluding items described in federal treasury regulation section 1.415(c)-2(c).

(b) Compensation for any period includes:

(1) any elective deferral as defined in section 402(g)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code;

(2) any elective amounts that are not includable in a member's gross income by reason of sections 125 or 457 of the federal Internal Revenue Code; and

(3) any elective amounts that are not includable in a member's gross income by reason of section 132(f)(4) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.635, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Eligible retirement plan. (a) An "eligible retirement plan" is:

(1) an individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code;

(2) an individual retirement annuity plan under section 408(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code;

(3) an annuity plan under section 403(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code;

(4) a qualified trust plan under section 401(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distribution;

(5) an annuity contract under section 403(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code; or

(6) an eligible deferred compensation plan under section 457(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, which is maintained by a state or local government and which agrees to separately account for the amounts transferred into the plan; or

(7) in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to a nonspousal beneficiary, an individual account or annuity treated as an inherited individual retirement account under section 402(c)(11) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

(b) For distributions of after-tax contributions which are not includable in gross income, the after-tax portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or (b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in either section 401(a) or

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403(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, that agrees to separately account for the amounts transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of the distribution which is includable in gross income and the portion of the distribution which is not includable.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.635, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Distributee. A "distributee" is:

(1) an employee or a former employee;

(2) the surviving spouse of an employee or former employee; or

(3) the former spouse of the employee or former employee who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order as defined in section 414(p) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, or who is a recipient of a court-ordered equitable distribution of marital property, as provided in section 518.58.; or

(4) a nonspousal beneficiary of an employee or former employee who qualifies for a distribution under the plan and is a designated beneficiary as defined in section 401(a)(9)(E) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.96, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Petition for review. (a) A person who claims a right under subdivision 2 may petition for a review of that decision by the governing board of the covered pension plan.

(b) A petition under this section must be sent to the chief administrative officer by mail and must be postmarked no later than 60 days after the person received the notice required by subdivision 3. The petition must include the person's statement of the reason or reasons that the person believes the decision of the chief administrative officer should be reversed or modified. The petition may include all documentation and written materials that the petitioner deems to be relevant. In developing a record for review by the board when a decision is appealed, the executive director may direct that the applicant participate in a fact-finding session conducted by an administrative law judge assigned by the Office of Administrative Hearings and, as applicable, participate in a vocational assessment conducted by a qualified rehabilitation counselor on contract with the applicable retirement system.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 48. Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 5, section 5, as amended by Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 5, section 36, is amended to read:

Sec. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) Sections 1, 3, and 4 are effective the day following final enactment and section 3 has effect retroactively from July 25, 2005.

(b) Section 2 with respect to the Cannon Falls Hospital District is effective upon the latter of:

(1) the day after the governing body of the Cannon Falls Hospital District and its chief clerical officer meet the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3; and

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(2) the first day of the month following certification to the Cannon Falls Hospital District by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized City of Cannon Falls Hospital employees under section 1 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the current employer or by the entity which is the employer following the privatization.

(1) the day after the governing body of Clearwater County and its chief clerical officer meet the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, except that the certificate of approval must be filed before January 1, ~~2009~~ 2010; and

(2) the first day of the month following certification to Clearwater County by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized Clearwater Health Services employees under section 2 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the current employer or by the entity which is the employer following the privatization.

(d) Section 2 with respect to the Dassel Lakeside Community Home is effective upon the latter of:

(1) the day after the governing body of the city of Dassel and its chief clerical officer timely complete compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3; and

(2) the first day of the month next following certification to the Dassel City Council by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association that the actuarial accrued liability of the special benefit coverage proposed for extension to the privatized Dassel Lakeside Community Home employees under section 2 does not exceed the actuarial gain otherwise to be accrued by the Public Employees Retirement Association, as calculated by the consulting actuary retained under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.214. The cost of the actuarial calculations must be borne by the city of Dassel or by the entity which is the employer following the privatization.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 49. CITY OF DULUTH AND DULUTH AIRPORT AUTHORITY; CORRECTING ERRONEOUS EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS AND ADJUSTING OVERPAID BENEFITS.

Subdivision 1. Application. Notwithstanding any provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.27, subdivisions 7 and 7b, or Minnesota Statutes 2008, chapters 353 and 356, to the contrary, this section establishes the procedures by which the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall adjust erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions paid on behalf of active employees and former members by the city of Duluth and by the Duluth Airport Authority on amounts determined by the executive director to be invalid salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 10, reported between January 1, 1997, and October 23, 2008, and for adjusting benefits that were paid to former members and their beneficiaries based upon invalid salary amounts.

Subd. 2. Refunds of employee deductions. (a) The executive director shall refund to active employees or former members who are not receiving retirement annuities or benefits all erroneous employee deductions identified by the city of Duluth or by the Duluth Airport Authority as deductions taken from amounts determined to be invalid salary. The refunds must include interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the date each refund is paid.

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(b) The refund payment for active employees must be sent to the applicable governmental subdivision which must pay the refunded employee deductions plus interest to the active members who are employees of the city of Duluth or who are employees of the Duluth Airport Authority, as applicable.

(c) Refunds to former members must be mailed by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association to the former member's last known address.

Subd. 3. Benefit adjustments. (a) For a former member who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit, or for a person receiving an optional annuity or survivor benefit, the executive director must:

(1) adjust the annuity or benefit payment to the correct monthly benefit amount payable by reducing the average salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 17a, by the invalid salary amounts;

(2) determine the amount of the overpaid benefits paid from the effective date of the annuity or benefit payment to the first of the month in which the monthly benefit amount is corrected;

(3) calculate the amount of employee deductions taken in error on invalid salary, including interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the date the annuity or benefit is adjusted as provided under clause (1); and

(4) determine the net amount of overpaid benefits by reducing the amount of the overpaid annuity or benefit as determined in clause (2) by the amount of the erroneous employee deductions with interest determined in clause (3).

(b) If a former member's erroneous employee deductions plus interest determined under this section exceeds the amount of the person's overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the annuity or benefit is being paid.

(c) The executive director shall recover the net amount of all overpaid annuities or benefits as provided under subdivision 4.

Subd. 4. Employer credits and obligations. (a) The executive director shall provide a credit without interest to the city of Duluth and to the Duluth Airport Authority for the amount of that governmental subdivision's erroneous employer contributions. The credit must first be used to offset the net amount of the overpaid retirement annuities and the disability and survivor benefits that remains after applying the amount of erroneous employee deductions with interest as provided under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4). The remaining erroneous employer contributions, if any, must be credited against future employer contributions required to be paid by the applicable governmental subdivision. If the overpaid benefits exceed the employer contribution credit, the balance of the overpaid benefits is the obligation of the city of Duluth or the Duluth Airport Authority, whichever is applicable.

(b) The Public Employees Retirement Association board of trustees shall determine the period of time and manner for the collection of overpaid retirement annuities and benefits, if any, from the city of Duluth and the Duluth Airport Authority.

EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) This section is effective for the city of Duluth the day after the Duluth city council and the chief clerical officer of the city of Duluth timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the city of Duluth.

(b) This section is effective for the Duluth Airport Authority the day after the Duluth Airport Authority and the chief clerical officer of the Duluth Airport Authority timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the Duluth Airport Authority.

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Sec. 50. APPLICATION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION ERRONEOUS RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS PROVISION; ELECTION.

(a) If adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, due to invalid salary amounts are in process as of the effective date of this section for employees or former employees of a governmental subdivision, the governing body of the governmental subdivision may elect to have the statute of limitations under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, paragraphs (c) and (g), apply to adjustments or corrections in process as of the effective date of Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, by a resolution of the governing body transmitted to the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director within 90 days after the effective date of this section.

(b) If the governing body of the governmental subdivision declines the treatment permitted under paragraph (a) or fails to submit a resolution in a timely manner, the statute of limitations does not apply to adjustments or corrections in process as of the effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after final enactment.

Sec. 51. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 354.06, subdivision 6; and 354.55, subdivision 14, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

ARTICLE 5

LOCAL GOVERNMENT POSTRETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 11b, is amended to read:

Subd. 11b. Termination of membership. (a) "Termination of membership" means the conclusion of membership in the association for a person who has not terminated public service under subdivision 11a and occurs:

(1) when a person files a written election with the association to discontinue employee deductions under section 353.27, subdivision 7, paragraph (a), clause (1);

(2) when a city manager files a written election with the association to discontinue employee deductions under section 353.028, subdivision 2; or

(3) when a member transfers to a temporary position and becomes excluded from membership under subdivision 2b, clause (4).; or

(4) when a member is approved to participate in the postretirement option authorized under section 353.371.

(b) The termination of membership under ~~clause~~ clauses (3) and (4) must be reported to the association by the governmental subdivision.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. [353.371] POSTRETIREMENT OPTION.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. (a) This section applies to a basic or coordinated member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association who:

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(1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause (2), was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(2) terminates membership as defined under section 353.01, subdivision 11b;

(3) at the time of termination under clause (2), was at least age 62 and met the age and service requirements necessary to receive a retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity;

(4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different governmental subdivision, working a reduced schedule that is both:

(i) a reduction of at least 25 percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and

(ii) 1,044 hours or less in public; and

(5) is not eligible for participation in the state employee postretirement option program under section 43A.346.

(b) For purposes of this section, the length of separation requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work agreements under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable.

Subd. 2. Annuity reduction not applicable. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the provisions of section 353.37 governing annuities of reemployed annuitants do not apply for the duration of a terminated member's employment in a postretirement option position.

Subd. 3. Governing body discretion. The governing body of the governmental subdivision has sole discretion to determine if and the extent to which a postretirement option position under this section is available to a terminated member. Any offer of such a position must be made in writing to the person by the governing body's designee in a manner prescribed by the executive director.

Subd. 4. Duration. Postretirement option employment shall be for an initial period not to exceed one year. At the end of the initial period, the governing body has sole discretion to determine if the offer of a postretirement option position will be renewed, renewed with modifications, or terminated. Postretirement option employment may be renewed annually, but may not be renewed after the individual attains retirement age as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 416(l).

Subd. 5. Copy to fund. The appointing authority shall provide the Public Employees Retirement Association with documentation, as prescribed by the executive director, of the terms of any agreement entered into with a member who accepts continuing employment with the appointing authority under the terms of this section, and any subsequent renewal agreement.

Subd. 6. No service credit. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person may not earn service credit in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for employment covered under this section, and employer contributions and payroll deductions for the retirement fund must not be made based on earnings of a person working under an agreement covered by this section. No change may be made to a monthly annuity or retirement allowance based on employment under this section.

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Subd. 7. Subsequent employment. If a person has been in a postretirement option position and accepts any other position in public service beyond the period of time for which the person participated in the postretirement option provided under this section, the person may not earn service credit in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, no employer contributions or payroll deductions for the retirement fund may be made, and the provisions of section 353.37 apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires on June 30, 2011. Individuals must not be appointed to a postretirement option position after that date.

ARTICLE 6

TEACHER RETIREMENT BENEFIT AND FUNDING CHANGES

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 127A.50, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Aid adjustment. Beginning in fiscal year 1998 and each year thereafter, the commissioner of education shall adjust state aid payments to school operating funds for Independent School District No. 625 and Independent School District No. 709 by the net amount of clauses (1) ~~and~~, (2), and (5), for Special School District No. 1 by the net amount of clauses (1), (2), ~~and~~ (4), and (5), and for all other districts, including charter schools, but excluding any education organizations that are prohibited from receiving direct state aids under section 123A.26 or 125A.75, subdivision 7, by the net amount of clauses (1), (2), (3), ~~and~~ (4), and (5):

(1) a decrease equal to each district's share of the fiscal year 1997 adjustment effected under Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 124.2139;

(2) an increase equal to one percent of the salaries paid to members of the general plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association in fiscal year 1997, multiplied by 0.35 for fiscal year 1998 and 0.70 each year thereafter;

(3) a decrease equal to 2.34 percent of the salaries paid to members of the Teachers Retirement Association in fiscal year 1997; ~~and~~

(4) an increase equal to 0.5 percent of the salaries paid to members of the Teachers Retirement Association in fiscal year 2007.; and

(5) an increase equal to the specified percentage of the salaries paid to coordinated program members of the Teachers Retirement Association, to coordinated program members of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and to members of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association in fiscal year 2012 as follows:

fiscal year 2012 0.5 percent

fiscal year 2013 0.5 percent

fiscal year 2014 0.5 percent

fiscal year 2015 0.5 percent

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.05, subdivision 38, is amended to read:

Subd. 38. Normal retirement age. "Normal retirement age" means age 65 for a person who first became a member of the association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989. For a person who first becomes a member of the association after June 30, 1989, normal retirement age means the higher of age 65 or "retirement age," as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 416(l), as amended, but not to exceed age 66. For a person with 30 years of service, normal retirement age means age 62.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Employee. (a) The employee contribution to the fund is an amount equal to the following percentage of the salary of a member:

~~(1) after July 1, 2006, for a teacher employed by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member, and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member;~~

~~(2) for every other teacher, after July 1, 2006, 5.5 percent if the teacher is a coordinated member and 9.0 percent if the teacher is a basic member.~~

Period Coordinated Member Basic Member

(1) before July 1, 2011 5.5 percent 9 percent

(2) after June 30, 2011, and before

July 1, 2012 6 percent 9 percent

(3) after June 30, 2012, and before

July 1, 2013 6.5 percent 9 percent

(4) unless paragraph (c) applies, after

June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 7 percent 9 percent

(5) unless paragraph (c) applies, after

June 30, 2014 7.5 percent 9 percent

(b) When an employee contribution rate changes for a fiscal year, the new contribution rate is effective for the entire salary paid for each employer unit with the first payroll cycle reported.

(c) After July 1, 2012, a scheduled contribution increase under paragraph (a), clause (4) or (5), is suspended if the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 indicates that there is no contribution deficiency when the total employee contributions, employer contributions under subdivision 3, and direct state aid under section 354A.12 and chapter 422A are compared to the actuarial required contributions of the retirement plan.

~~(b)~~ (d) This contribution must be made by deduction from salary. Where any portion of a member's salary is paid from other than public funds, the member's employee contribution must be based on the entire salary received.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Employer. (a) The regular employer contribution to the fund by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, after July 1, 2006, and before July 1, 2007, is an amount equal to 5.0 percent of the salary of each of its teachers who is a coordinated member and 9.0 percent of the salary of each of its teachers who is a basic member. After July 1, 2007, and before July 1, 2011, the regular employer contribution to the fund by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, is an amount equal to 5.5 percent of salary of each coordinated member and 9.5 percent of salary of each basic member. The additional employer contribution to the fund by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, after July 1, 2006, is an amount equal to 3.64 percent of the salary of each teacher who is a coordinated member or is a basic member. The regular employer contribution to the fund by Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, is an amount equal to the following percentage of the salary of each teacher:

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Period Coordinated Member Basic Member

(1) before July 1, 2011 5.5 percent 9.5 percent

(2) after June 30, 2011, and before

July 1, 2012 6 percent 9.5 percent

(3) after June 30, 2012, and before

July 1, 2013 6.5 percent 9.5 percent

(4) unless paragraph (d) applies, after

June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 7 percent 9.5 percent

(5) unless paragraph (d) applies, after

June 30, 2014 7.5 percent 9.5 percent

(b) When an employer contribution rate changes for a fiscal year, the new contribution rate is effective for the entire salary paid for each employer unit with the first payroll cycle reported.

~~(b)~~ (c) The employer contribution to the fund for every other employer is an amount equal to 5.0 percent of the salary of each coordinated member and 9.0 percent of the salary of each basic member before July 1, 2007, and 5.5 percent of the salary of each coordinated member and 9.5 percent of the salary of each basic member after June 30, 2007., and before July 1, 2011. The regular employer contribution to the fund by every other employer is an amount equal to the following percentage of the salary of each teacher:

Period Coordinated Member Basic Member

(1) after June 30, 2011, and before

July 1, 2012 6 percent 9.5 percent

(2) after June 30, 2012, and before

July 1, 2013 6.5 percent 9.5 percent

(3) unless paragraph (d) applies, after

June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 7 percent 9.5 percent

(4) unless paragraph (d) applies, after

June 30, 2014 7.5 percent 9.5 percent

(d) After July 1, 2012, a scheduled contribution increase under paragraph (a), clause (4) or (5), and paragraph (c), clause (3) or (4), is suspended if the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 indicates that there is no contribution deficiency when the total employee contributions, employer contributions under subdivision 3, and direct state aid under section 354A.12 and chapter 422A are compared to the actuarial required contributions of the retirement plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4b. Determination. (a) For purposes of this section, a contribution sufficiency exists if the total of the employee contributions, the employer contributions, and any additional employer contributions, if applicable, exceeds the total of the normal cost, the administrative expenses, and the amortization contribution of the retirement

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plan as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation of the retirement plan prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

(b) For purposes of this section, a contribution deficiency exists if the total employee contributions, the employer contributions, and any additional employer contributions are less than the total of the normal cost, the administrative expenses, and the amortization contribution of the retirement plan as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation of the retirement plan prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4c. Contribution rate revision. Notwithstanding the contribution rate provisions stated in plan law, the employee and employer contribution rates must be adjusted:

(1) if after July 1, 2014, the regular actuarial valuations of the plan under section 356.215 indicate that there is a contribution sufficiency under subdivision 2 equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of covered payroll for two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates for the plan must be decreased as determined under subdivision 4 to a level such that the sufficiency equals no more than 0.25 percent of covered payroll based on the most recent actuarial valuation; or

(2) if after July 1, 2014, the regular actuarial valuations of the plan under section 356.215 indicate that there is a deficiency equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of covered payroll for two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates for the plan must be increased as determined under subdivision 4 to a level such that no deficiency exists based on the most recent actuarial valuation.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.42, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4d. Reporting, commission review. (a) The contribution rate increase or decrease must be determined by the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association, must be reported to the chair and the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement on or before the next February 1, and, if the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement does not recommend against the rate change or does not recommend a modification in the rate change, is effective on the next July 1 following the determination by the executive director that a contribution deficiency or sufficiency has existed for two consecutive fiscal years based on the most recent actuarial valuations under section 356.215. If the actuarially required contribution exceeds or is less than the total support provided by the combined employee and employer contribution rates for the applicable plan by more than 0.5 percent of covered payroll, the plan employee and employer contribution rates must be adjusted incrementally over one or more years to a level such that there remains a contribution sufficiency of no more than 0.25 percent of covered payroll.

(b) No incremental adjustment may exceed 0.25 percent of payroll for either the employee or employer contribution rates per year in which any adjustment is implemented. A contribution rate adjustment under this section must not be made until at least two years have passed since fully implementing a previous adjustment under this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.44, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Computation of formula program retirement annuity. (a) The formula retirement annuity must be computed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the formulas stated in paragraph (b) or (d) on the basis of each member's average salary under section 354.05, subdivision 13a, for the period of the member's formula service credit.

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(b) This paragraph, in conjunction with paragraph (c), applies to a person who first became a member of the association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with paragraph (e), produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) applies. The average salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the following percentages per year of formula service credit ~~shall determine~~ determines the amount of the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled for service rendered before July 1, 2006:

Coordinated Member Basic Member

Each year of service during first ten the percent specified in the percent specified

section 356.315, subdivision 1, in section 356.315,

per year subdivision 3, per year

Each year of service thereafter the percent specified in the percent specified

section 356.315, subdivision 2, in section 356.315,

per year subdivision 4, per year

For service rendered on or after July 1, 2006, the average salary as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the following percentages per year of service credit, determines the amount the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled:

Coordinated Member Basic Member

Each year of service during first ten the percent specified in the percent specified

section 356.315, subdivision 1a, in section 356.315,

per year subdivision 3, per year

Each year of service after ten years the percent specified in the percent specified

of service section 356.315, subdivision 2b, in section 356.315,

per year subdivision 4, per year

(c)(i) This paragraph applies only to a person who first became a member of the association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, and whose annuity is higher when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with this paragraph than when calculated under paragraph (d), in conjunction with paragraph (e).

(ii) Where any member retires prior to normal retirement age under a formula annuity, the member ~~shall~~ must be paid a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal annuity provided in paragraph (b) reduced by one-quarter of one percent for each month that the member is under normal retirement age at the time of retirement except that for any member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the reduction ~~shall~~ must be applied only for each month that the member is under age 62.

(iii) Any member whose attained age plus credited allowable service totals 90 years is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal annuity provided in paragraph (b), without any reduction by reason of early retirement.

(d) This paragraph applies to a member who has become at least 55 years old and first became a member of the association after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with paragraph (e), is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with paragraph (c). For a basic member, the average salary, as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the percent specified by section 356.315, subdivision 4, for

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each year of service for a basic member ~~shall determine~~ determines the amount of the retirement annuity to which the basic member is entitled. The annuity of a basic member who was a member of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association as of June 30, 2006, must be determined according to the annuity formula under the articles of incorporation of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association in effect as of that date. For a coordinated member, the average salary, as defined in section 354.05, subdivision 13a, multiplied by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2, for each year of service rendered before July 1, 2006, ~~and~~ by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2b, for each year of service rendered on or after July 1, 2006, and before July 1, 2011, and by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2c, for each year of service rendered after June 30, 2011, determines the amount of the retirement annuity to which the coordinated member is entitled. For a member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the person's normal retirement age is age 62 and the age 55 minimum early reduced benefit retirement age does not apply to the person.

(e) This paragraph applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and first becomes a member of the association after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity is higher when calculated under paragraph (d) in conjunction with this paragraph than when calculated under paragraph (b), in conjunction with paragraph (c). An employee who retires under the formula annuity before the normal retirement age ~~shall~~ as defined by section 354.05, subdivision 38, must be paid the normal annuity provided in paragraph (d) reduced so that the reduced annuity is the actuarial equivalent of the annuity that would be payable to the employee if the employee deferred receipt of the annuity and the annuity amount were augmented at an annual rate of three percent compounded annually from the day the annuity begins to accrue until the normal retirement age if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually if the employee becomes an employee after June 30, 2006. For a member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the person's normal retirement age is age 62 and the age 55 minimum early reduced benefit retirement age does not apply to the person.

(f) No retirement annuity is payable to a former employee with a salary that exceeds 95 percent of the governor's salary unless and until the salary figures used in computing the highest five successive years average salary under paragraph (a) have been audited by the Teachers Retirement Association and determined by the executive director to comply with the requirements and limitations of section 354.05, subdivisions 35 and 35a.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.011, subdivision 15a, is amended to read:

Subd. 15a. Normal retirement age. "Normal retirement age" means age 65 for a person who first became a member of the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989. For a person who first became a member of the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association after June 30, 1989, normal retirement age means the higher of age 65 or retirement age, as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 416(l), as amended, but not to exceed age 66. For a person with 30 years of service, normal retirement age means age 62. For a person who is a member of the basic program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the old law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, normal retirement age means the age at which a teacher becomes eligible for a normal retirement annuity computed upon meeting the age and service requirements specified in the applicable provisions of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the respective teachers retirement fund association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Employee contributions. (a) The contribution required to be paid by each member of a teachers retirement fund association ~~shall~~ must not be less than the percentage of total salary specified below for the applicable association and program:

Association and Program Percentage of Total Salary

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association

old law and new law coordinated programs ~~5.5 percent~~

(1) before July 1, 2011 5.5 percent

(2) after June 30, 2011, and before July 1, 2012 6 percent

(3) after June 30, 2012, and before July 1, 2013 6.5 percent

(4) unless paragraph (b) applies, after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 7 percent

(5) unless paragraph (b) applies, after June 30, 2014 7.5 percent

St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association

basic program 8 percent

coordinated program ~~5.5 percent~~

(6) before July 1, 2011 5.5 percent

(7) after June 30, 2011, and before July 1, 2012 6 percent

(8) after June 30, 2012, and before July 1, 2013 6.5 percent

(9) unless paragraph (b) applies, after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 7 percent

(10) unless paragraph (b) applies, after June 30, 2014 7.5 percent

(b) When an employee contribution rate changes for a fiscal year, the new contribution rate is effective for the entire salary paid for each employer unit with the first payroll cycle reported.

(c) After July 1, 2012, a scheduled contribution increase under paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), (9), or (10), is suspended if the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 indicates that there is no contribution deficiency when the total employee contributions, employer contributions under subdivision 3, and direct state aid are compared to the actuarial required contributions of the retirement plan.

(d) Contributions ~~shall~~ must be made by deduction from salary and must be remitted directly to the respective teachers retirement fund association at least once each month.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a. Employer regular and additional contribution rates. (a) The employing units shall make the following employer contributions to teachers retirement fund associations:

(1) for any coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall pay the employer Social Security taxes;

(2) for any coordinated member of one of the following teachers retirement fund associations in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund association in an amount equal to the designated percentage of the salary of the coordinated member as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association ~~4.50 percent~~

(A) before July 1, 2011 4.5 percent

(B) after June 30, 2011, and before July 1, 2012 5 percent

(D) unless clause (3) applies, after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 6 percent

(E) unless clause (3) applies, after June 30, 2014 6.5 percent

St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association ~~4.50 percent~~

(F) before July 1, 2011 4.5 percent

(G) after June 30, 2011, and before July 1, 2012 5 percent

(H) after June 30, 2012, and before July 1, 2013 5.5 percent

(I) unless clause (3) applies, after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2014 6 percent

(J) unless clause (3) applies, after June 30, 2014 6.5 percent

(3) After July 1, 2012, a scheduled contribution increase under paragraph (a), clause (2), item (D), (E), (I), or (J), is suspended if the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under section 356.215 indicates that there is no contribution deficiency when the total employee contributions, employer contributions under subdivision 3, and direct state aid are compared to the actuarial required contributions of the retirement plan;

(4) for any basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make a regular employer contribution to the respective retirement fund in an amount equal to 8.00 percent of the salary of the basic member;

~~(4)~~ (5) for a basic member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to 3.64 percent of the salary of the basic member;

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~~(5)~~ (6) for a coordinated member of a teachers retirement fund association in a city of the first class, the employing unit shall make an additional employer contribution to the respective fund in an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the coordinated member's salary, as provided below:

Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association 1.29 percent

St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association

July 1, 1993 - June 30, 1994 0.50 percent

July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1995 1.50 percent

July 1, 1997, and thereafter 3.84 percent

(b) When an employer contribution rate changes for a fiscal year, the new contribution rate is effective for the entire salary paid for each employer unit with the first payroll cycle reported.

(c) The regular and additional employer contributions must be remitted directly to the respective teachers retirement fund association at least once each month. Delinquent amounts are payable with interest under the procedure in subdivision 1a.

~~(c)~~ (d) Payments of regular and additional employer contributions for school district or technical college employees who are paid from normal operating funds must be made from the appropriate fund of the district or technical college.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4a. Determination. (a) For purposes of this section, a contribution sufficiency exists if, for purposes of the applicable plan, the total of the employee contributions, the employer contributions, and any additional employer contributions, if applicable, exceeds the total of the normal cost, the administrative expenses, and the amortization contribution of the retirement plan as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation of the retirement plan prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

(b) For purposes of this section, a contribution deficiency exists if, for the applicable plan, the total employee contributions, employer contributions, and any additional employer contributions are less than the total of the normal cost, the administrative expenses, and the amortization contribution of the retirement plan as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation of the retirement plan prepared by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4b. Contribution rate revision. Notwithstanding the contribution rate provisions stated in plan law, the employee and employer contribution rates must be adjusted:

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(1) if after July 1, 2014, the regular actuarial valuations of the applicable plan under section 356.215 indicate that there is a contribution sufficiency under subdivision 2 equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of covered payroll for two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates for the applicable plan must be decreased as determined under subdivision 4 to a level such that the sufficiency equals no more than 0.25 percent of covered payroll based on the most recent actuarial valuation; or

(2) if after July 1, 2014, the regular actuarial valuations of the applicable plan under section 356.215 indicate that there is a deficiency equal to or greater than 0.5 percent of covered payroll for two consecutive years, the employee and employer contribution rates for the applicable plan must be increased as determined under subdivision 4 to a level such that no deficiency exists based on the most recent actuarial valuation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.12, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4c. Reporting, commission review. (a) The contribution rate increase or decrease must be determined by the executive director of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and must be reported to the chair and the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement on or before the next February 1, and, if the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement does not recommend against the rate change or does not recommend a modification in the rate change, is effective on the next July 1 following the determination by the executive director that a contribution deficiency or sufficiency has existed for two consecutive fiscal years based on the most recent actuarial valuations under section 356.215. If the actuarially required contribution exceeds or is less than the total support provided by the combined employee and employer contribution rates for the applicable plan by more than 0.5 percent of covered payroll, the applicable plan employee and employer contribution rates must be adjusted incrementally over one or more years to a level such that there remains a contribution sufficiency of no more than 0.25 percent of covered payroll.

(b) No incremental adjustment may exceed 0.25 percent of payroll for either the employee or employer contribution rates per year in which any adjustment is implemented. For an applicable plan, a contribution rate adjustment under this section must not be made until at least two years have passed since fully implementing a previous adjustment under this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Computation of normal coordinated retirement annuity; St. Paul fund. (a) This subdivision applies to the coordinated program of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(b) The normal coordinated retirement annuity is an amount equal to a retiring coordinated member's average salary under section 354A.011, subdivision 7a, multiplied by the retirement annuity formula percentage.

(c) This paragraph, in conjunction with subdivision 6, applies to a person who first became a member or a member in a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with subdivision 7, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) will apply. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1, per year for each year of coordinated service for the first ten years and the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2, for each year of coordinated service thereafter. The average salary multiplied by the following retirement annuity formula percentage per year of allowable service determines the amount of the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled for service rendered before July 1, 2011:

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Each year of service during first ten years the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 1, per year

Each year of service thereafter the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 2, per year

For service rendered on or after July 1, 2011, the average salary multiplied by the following retirement annuity formula percentage per year of allowable service determines the amount of the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled:

Each year of service during first ten years the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 1a, per year

Each year of service thereafter the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 2b, per year

(d) This paragraph applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and who first becomes a member after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with subdivision 7 is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (c), in conjunction with the provisions of subdivision 6. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2, for each year of coordinated service before July 1, 2011, and by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2c, for each year of service rendered after June 30, 2011. For a member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the person's normal retirement age is age 62 and the age 55 minimum early reduced benefit retirement age does not apply to the person.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.31, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a. Computation of normal coordinated retirement annuity; Duluth fund. (a) This subdivision applies to the new law coordinated program of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association.

(c) This paragraph, in conjunction with subdivision 6, applies to a person who first became a member or a member in a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, unless paragraph (d), in conjunction with subdivision 7, produces a higher annuity amount, in which case paragraph (d) applies. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 1, per year for each year of coordinated service for the first ten years and the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2, for each subsequent year of coordinated service. The average salary multiplied by the following retirement annuity formula percentage per year of allowable service determines the amount of the annuity to which the member qualifying therefor is entitled for service rendered before July 1, 2011:

Each year of service during first ten years the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 1, per year

Each year of service thereafter the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 2, per year

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Each year of service during first ten years the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 1a, per year

Each year of service thereafter the percent specified in section 356.315,

subdivision 2b, per year

(d) This paragraph applies to a person who is at least 55 years old and who first becomes a member after June 30, 1989, and to any other member who is at least 55 years old and whose annuity amount, when calculated under this paragraph and in conjunction with subdivision 7, is higher than it is when calculated under paragraph (c) in conjunction with subdivision 6. The retirement annuity formula percentage for purposes of this paragraph is the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2, for each year of coordinated service before July 1, 2011, and by the percent specified in section 356.315, subdivision 2c, for each year of service rendered after June 30, 2011. For a member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the person's normal retirement age is age 62 and the age 55 minimum early reduced benefit retirement age does not apply to the person.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.31, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Actuarial reduction for early retirement. This subdivision applies to a person who has become at least 55 years old and first becomes a coordinated member after June 30, 1989, and to any other coordinated member who has become at least 55 years old and whose annuity is higher when calculated using the retirement annuity formula percentage in subdivision 4, paragraph (d), and subdivision 4a, paragraph (d), in conjunction with this subdivision than when calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (c), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (c), in conjunction with subdivision 6. A coordinated member who retires before the full benefit age ~~shall~~ as defined by section 354A.011, subdivision 15a, must be paid the retirement annuity calculated using the retirement annuity formula percentage in subdivision 4, paragraph (d), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (d), reduced so that the reduced annuity is the actuarial equivalent of the annuity that would be payable to the member if the member deferred receipt of the annuity and the annuity amount were augmented at an annual rate of three percent compounded annually from the day the annuity begins to accrue until the normal retirement age if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually from the day the annuity begins to accrue until the normal retirement age if the person initially becomes a teacher after June 30, 2006. For a member who has 30 or more years of allowable service credit, the person's normal retirement age is age 62 and the age 55 minimum early reduced benefit retirement age does not apply to the person.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2c. Certain coordinated members. The applicable benefit accrual rate is 2.1 percent.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2011.

ARTICLE 7

MNSCU RELATED RETIREMENT PROVISIONS

Section 1. [136F.481] EARLY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

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(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may offer a targeted early separation incentive program for its employees.

(b) The early separation incentive program may include one or both of the following:

(1) cash incentives, not to exceed one year of base salary; or

(2) employer contributions to the postretirement healthcare savings plan established under section 352.98.

(c) To be eligible to receive an incentive, an employee must be at least age 55 and must have at least five years of employment by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. The board of trustees shall establish the eligibility requirements for system employees to receive an incentive. The board of trustees shall file a copy of its proposed eligibility requirements with the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Higher Education and the Higher Education Budget and Policy Division of the Senate Committee on Finance and with the chair and ranking members of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives at least 30 days before their final adoption by the board of trustees, shall post the same document on the system website at the same time, and shall hold a public hearing on the proposed eligibility requirements. The type and any additional amount of the incentive to be offered may vary by employee classification, as specified by the board.

(d) The president of a college or university, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate:

(1) specific departments or programs at the college or university whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or

(2) positions at the college or university eligible to be offered the incentive program.

(e) The chancellor, consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c), may designate:

(1) system office divisions whose employees are eligible to be offered the incentive program; or

(2) positions at the system office eligible to be offered the incentive program.

(f) Acceptance of the offered incentive must be voluntary on the part of the employee and must be in writing. The incentive may only be offered at the sole discretion of the president of the applicable college or university.

(g) A decision by the president of a college or university or by the chancellor not to offer an incentive may not be challenged.

(h) The cost of the incentive is payable by the college or university on whose behalf the president offered the incentive or from the system office budget if the chancellor offered the incentive. If a college or university is merged, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the successor institution. If a college or university is closed, the remaining cost of any early separation incentive must be borne by the board of trustees.

(i) Annually, the chancellor and the president of each college or university must report on the number and types of early separation incentives which were offered and utilized under this section. The report must be filed annually with the board of trustees and with the Legislative Reference Library on or before September 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE; SUNSET. This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires June 30, 2014.

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Sec. 2. [136F.482] APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS.

Unilateral implementation of section 136F.481 by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, by the chancellor, or by a president of a college or university is not an unfair labor practice under chapter 179A.

EFFECTIVE DATE; SUNSET. This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires June 30, 2014.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Coverage; election. (a) For Eligible persons who were employed by the former state university system or the former community college system before May 1, 1995, the person has the retirement coverage that the person had for employment immediately before May 1, 1995.

~~(b) For all other eligible persons~~ (a) Eligible persons who were employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System on or after June 30, 2009, unless otherwise specified in this section, ~~the eligible person is~~ are authorized to elect prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage rather than coverage by the plan established by this chapter. The election of prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage ~~shall~~ must be made within one year of commencing eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment. If an election is not made within the specified election period due to a termination of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment, an election may be made within 90 days of returning to eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment. All elections are irrevocable. ~~Prior to~~ Before making an election, the eligible person ~~shall be~~ is covered by the plan indicated as default coverage under subdivision 3.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a purchase of service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association plan for any period or periods of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment occurring ~~prior to~~ before the election under paragraph ~~(b)~~ (a) is prohibited.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a faculty member who is a member of the individual retirement account plan who first achieves tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university after June 30, 2009, may elect to transfer retirement coverage under the teachers retirement plan within one year of the faculty member achieving tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university. The faculty member electing Teachers Retirement Association coverage under this paragraph must purchase service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association for the entire period of time covered under the individual retirement account plan and the purchase payment amount must be determined under section 356.551. The Teachers Retirement Association may charge a faculty member transferring coverage a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with computing the actuarial cost of purchasing service credit and making the transfer. A faculty member transferring from the individual retirement account plan to the Teachers Retirement Association may use any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the individual retirement account plan, any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the higher education supplemental retirement plan established under chapter 354C, or any source specified in section 356.441, subdivision 1, to purchase the service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association. If the total amount of payments under this paragraph are less than the total purchase payment amount under section 356.551, the payment amounts must be refunded to the applicable source. The retirement coverage transfer and service credit purchase authority under this paragraph expires with respect to any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty initially hired after June 30, 2014.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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ARTICLE 8

ST. PAUL TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND ASSOCIATION

POSTRETIREMENT ADJUSTMENTS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.29, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Postretirement adjustment. (a) The postretirement adjustment described in ~~the articles and bylaws of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association~~ this section must be determined by the executive director of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association and approved by the board annually ~~after June 30 using the procedures under this section~~.

(b) On January 1, each eligible person who has been receiving an annuity or benefit under the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or this chapter for at least 12 three calendar months as of the end of the ~~fiscal~~ last day of the previous calendar year is eligible to receive a postretirement ~~adjustment of 2.0 percent that is payable each January 1~~ increase as further specified in this subdivision.

(c) A percentage adjustment must be computed and paid under this subdivision to eligible persons under paragraph (b). This adjustment is determined by reference to the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers all items index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the United States Department of Labor each year as part of the determination of annual cost-of-living adjustments to recipients of federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. For calculations of the cost-of-living adjustment under paragraph (d), the term "average third quarter Consumer Price Index value" means the sum of the monthly index values as initially reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the months of July, August, and September, divided by 3.

(d) Before January 1 of each year, the executive director must calculate the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment by dividing the most recent average third quarter index value by the same average third quarter index value from the previous year, subtract one from the resulting quotient, and express the result as a percentage amount, which must be rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent.

(e) The amount calculated under paragraph (d) is the full cost-of-living adjustment to be applied as a permanent increase to the regular payment of each eligible member on January 1 of the next calendar year. For any eligible member whose effective date of benefit commencement occurred during the calendar year before the cost-of-living adjustment is applied, the full increase amount must be prorated on the basis of whole calendar quarters in benefit payment status in the calendar year prior to the January 1 on which the cost-of-living adjustment is applied, calculated to the third decimal place.

(f) The adjustment may not be less than zero, nor greater than five percent.

Sec. 2. BYLAW REVISION AUTHORIZATION.

Consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivision 4, the board of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall revise the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the teachers retirement fund association to conform with section 1.

Sec. 3. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354A.29, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, are repealed.

Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 3 are effective January 1, 2010, and expire June 30, 2011.

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ARTICLE 9

LOCAL POLICE AND PAID FIRE RELIEF

ASSOCIATION CHANGES

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Relief association financial requirements; minimum municipal obligation. (a) The officers of the relief association shall determine the financial requirements of the relief association and minimum obligation of the municipality for the following calendar year in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision. The financial requirements of the relief association and the minimum obligation of the municipality must be determined on or before the submission date established by the municipality under subdivision 5.

(b) The financial requirements of the relief association for the following calendar year must be based on the most recent actuarial valuation or survey of the special fund of the association if more than one fund is maintained by the association, or of the association, if only one fund is maintained, prepared in accordance with sections 356.215, subdivisions 4 to 15, and 356.216, as required under subdivision 10. If an actuarial estimate is prepared by the actuary of the relief association as part of obtaining a modification of the benefit plan of the relief association and the modification is implemented, the actuarial estimate must be used in calculating the subsequent financial requirements of the relief association.

(c) If the relief association has an unfunded actuarial accrued liability as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation or survey, the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (1), (2), and (3), constitute the financial requirements of the relief association for the following year. If the relief association does not have an unfunded actuarial accrued liability as reported in the most recent actuarial valuation or survey, the amount calculated under clauses (1) and (2) constitute the financial requirements of the relief association for the following year. The financial requirement elements are:

(1) the normal level cost requirement for the following year, expressed as a dollar amount, which must be determined by applying the normal level cost of the relief association as reported in the actuarial valuation or survey and expressed as a percentage of covered payroll to the estimated covered payroll of the active membership of the relief association, including any projected change in the active membership, for the following year;

(2) for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association, the Fairmont Police Relief Association, and the Virginia Fire Department Relief Association, to the dollar amount of normal cost determined under clause (1) must be added an amount equal to the dollar amount of the administrative expenses of the special fund of the association if more than one fund is maintained by the association, or of the association if only one fund is maintained, for the most recent year, multiplied by the factor of 1.035. The administrative expenses are those authorized under section 69.80. No amount of administrative expenses under this clause are to be included in the financial requirements of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association; and

(3) to the dollar amount of normal cost and expenses determined under clauses (1) and (2) must be added an amount equal to the level annual dollar amount which is sufficient to amortize the unfunded actuarial accrued liability by December 31, 2010, the Fairmont Police Relief Association, the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association, and the Virginia Fire Department Relief Association, by the date determined under section 356.216, paragraph (a), clause (2), for the Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association, and by December 31, 2020, for the Minneapolis Police Relief Association, as determined from the actuarial valuation or survey of the fund, using an interest assumption set at the applicable rate specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8~~. The~~, by that fund's amortization date as specified in ~~this clause applies to all local police or salaried firefighters' relief associations and that date supersedes any amortization date specified in any applicable special law~~ paragraph (d).

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(d) The Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association special fund amortization date is determined under section 423C.15, subdivisions 3 and 4. The Virginia Fire Department Relief Association special fund amortization date is December 31, 2010. The Minneapolis Police Relief Association special fund and the Fairmont Police Relief Association special fund amortization date is December 31, 2020. The Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association special fund amortization date is determined under section 356.216, paragraph (a), clause (2). The amortization date specified in this paragraph supersedes any amortization date specified in any applicable special law.

~~(d)~~ (e) The minimum obligation of the municipality is an amount equal to the financial requirements of the relief association reduced by the estimated amount of member contributions from covered salary anticipated for the following calendar year and the estimated amounts anticipated for the following calendar year from the applicable state aid program established under sections 69.011 to 69.051 receivable by the relief association after any allocation made under section 69.031, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (2), or 423A.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6), from the local police and salaried firefighters' relief association amortization aid program established under section 423A.02, subdivision 1, from the supplementary amortization state-aid program established under section 423A.02, subdivision 1a, and from the additional amortization state aid under section 423A.02, subdivision 1b.

EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. This section is effective the day after the Fairmont City Council and the chief clerical officer of the city of Fairmont timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Amortization state aid. (a) A municipality in which is located a local police or salaried firefighters' relief association to which the provisions of section 69.77, apply, that had an unfunded actuarial accrued liability in the most recent relief association actuarial valuation, is entitled, upon application as required by the commissioner of revenue, to receive local police and salaried firefighters' relief association amortization state aid if the municipality and the appropriate relief association both comply with the applicable provisions of sections 69.031, subdivision 5, 69.051, subdivisions 1 and 3, and 69.77. If a municipality loses entitlement for amortization state aid in any year because its local relief association no longer has an unfunded actuarial accrued liability, the municipality is not entitled to amortization state aid in any subsequent year.

(b) The total amount of amortization state aid to all entitled municipalities must not exceed $5,055,000.

(c) Subject to the adjustment for the city of Minneapolis provided in this paragraph, the amount of amortization state aid to which a municipality is entitled annually is an amount equal to the level annual dollar amount required to amortize, by December 31, 2010, the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the special fund of the appropriate relief association as reported in the December 31, 1978, actuarial valuation of the relief association prepared under sections 356.215 and 356.216, reduced by the dollar amount required to pay the interest on the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association for calendar year 1981 set at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes 1978, section 356.215, subdivision 8. For the city of Minneapolis, the amortization state aid amount thus determined must be reduced by $747,232 on account of the Minneapolis Police Relief Association and by $772,768 on account of the Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association. If the amortization state aid amounts determined under this paragraph exceed the amount appropriated for this purpose, the amortization state aid for actual allocation must be reduced pro rata.

(d) Payment of amortization state aid to municipalities must be made directly to the municipalities involved in three equal installments on July 15, September 15, and November 15 annually. Upon receipt of amortization state aid, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the aid amount to the treasurer of the local relief association for immediate deposit in the special fund of the relief association.

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(e) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe and periodically revise the form for and content of the application for the amortization state aid.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Reallocation of amortization or supplementary amortization state aid. (a) Seventy percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid or supplemental amortization aid distributed under subdivisions 1 and 1a that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality for use by a local police or salaried fire relief association must be distributed by the commissioner of revenue according to this paragraph. The commissioner shall distribute 70 50 percent of the amounts derived under this paragraph to the Teachers Retirement Association, ten percent to the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and 30 40 percent to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association to fund the unfunded actuarial accrued liabilities of the respective funds. These payments shall be made on or before June 30 each fiscal year. The amount required under this paragraph is appropriated annually from the general fund to the commissioner of revenue. If the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association becomes fully funded, its eligibility for this aid ceases. Amounts remaining in the undistributed balance account at the end of the biennium if aid eligibility ceases cancel to the general fund.

(b) In order to receive amortization and supplementary amortization aid under paragraph (a), Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, must make contributions to the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association in accordance with the following schedule:

Fiscal Year Amount

1996 $0

1997 $0

1998 $200,000

1999 $400,000

2000 $600,000

2001 and thereafter $800,000

(c) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, and the city of Minneapolis must each make contributions to the Teachers Retirement Association in accordance with the following schedule:

Fiscal Year City amount School district amount

1996 $0 $0

1997 $0 $0

1998 $250,000 $250,000

1999 $400,000 $400,000

2000 $550,000 $550,000

2001 $700,000 $700,000

2002 $850,000 $850,000

2003 and thereafter $1,000,000 $1,000,000

(d) Money contributed under paragraph (a) and either paragraph (b) or (c), as applicable, must be credited to a separate account in the applicable teachers retirement fund and may not be used in determining any benefit increases. The separate account terminates for a fund when the aid payments to the fund under paragraph (a) cease.

(e) Thirty percent of the difference between $5,720,000 and the current year amortization aid or supplemental amortization aid under subdivisions 1 and 1a that is not distributed for any reason to a municipality for use by a local police or salaried firefighter relief association must be distributed under section 69.021, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), as additional funding to support a minimum fire state aid amount for volunteer firefighter relief associations. The amount required under this paragraph is appropriated annually to the commissioner of revenue.

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Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 423C.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Board composition and elections. The board shall consist of two persons appointed by the city and ~~ten~~ the number of other members specified in the association bylaws, but not to exceed ten, who must be selected by the members. Elections for active and retired positions on the board shall be conducted pursuant to the association's bylaws.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

ARTICLE 10

VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE LUMP SUM VOLUNTEER

FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT PLAN

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Purpose; accounts; continuation. (a) The purpose of the supplemental investment fund is to provide an investment vehicle for the assets of various public retirement plans and funds.

(b) The fund consists of ~~seven~~ eight investment accounts: an income share account, a growth share account, an international share account, a money market account, a fixed interest account, a bond market account, ~~and~~ a common stock index account, and a volunteer firefighter account.

(c) The supplemental investment fund is a continuation of the supplemental retirement fund in existence on January 1, 1980.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 11A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Assets. (a) The assets of the supplemental investment fund ~~shall~~ consist of the money certified and transmitted to the state board from the participating public retirement plans and funds ~~or from the board of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities under section 136F.45~~ and from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under section 353G.08.

(b) With the exception of the assets of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund, the assets must be used to purchase investment shares in the investment accounts as specified by the plan or fund. The assets of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund must be invested in the volunteer firefighter account.

(c) These accounts must be valued at least on a monthly basis but may be valued more frequently as determined by the State Board of Investment.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.011, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the following words and terms ~~shall~~, for the purposes of this chapter and chapters 423, 423A, 424 and 424A, have the meanings ascribed to them:

(a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue.

(b) "Municipality" means:

(1) a home rule charter or statutory city;

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(2) an organized town;

(3) a park district subject to chapter 398;

(4) the University of Minnesota;

(5) for purposes of the fire state aid program only, an American Indian tribal government entity located within a federally recognized American Indian reservation;

(6) for purposes of the police state aid program only, an American Indian tribal government with a tribal police department which exercises state arrest powers under section 626.90, 626.91, 626.92, or 626.93;

(7) for purposes of the police state aid program only, the Metropolitan Airports Commission with respect to peace officers covered under chapter 422A; and

(8) for purposes of the police state aid program only, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Safety with respect to peace officers covered under chapter 352B.

(c) "Minnesota Firetown Premium Report" means a form prescribed by the commissioner containing space for reporting by insurers of fire, lightning, sprinkler leakage and extended coverage premiums received upon risks located or to be performed in this state less return premiums and dividends.

(d) "Firetown" means the area serviced by any municipality having a qualified fire department or a qualified incorporated fire department having a subsidiary volunteer firefighters' relief association.

(e) "Market value" means latest available market value of all property in a taxing jurisdiction, whether the property is subject to taxation, or exempt from ad valorem taxation obtained from information which appears on abstracts filed with the commissioner of revenue or equalized by the State Board of Equalization.

(f) "Minnesota Aid to Police Premium Report" means a form prescribed by the commissioner for reporting by each fire and casualty insurer of all premiums received upon direct business received by it in this state, or by its agents for it, in cash or otherwise, during the preceding calendar year, with reference to insurance written for insuring against the perils contained in auto insurance coverages as reported in the Minnesota business schedule of the annual financial statement which each insurer is required to file with the commissioner in accordance with the governing laws or rules less return premiums and dividends.

(g) "Peace officer" means any person:

(1) whose primary source of income derived from wages is from direct employment by a municipality or county as a law enforcement officer on a full-time basis of not less than 30 hours per week;

(2) who has been employed for a minimum of six months prior to December 31 preceding the date of the current year's certification under subdivision 2, clause (b);

(3) who is sworn to enforce the general criminal laws of the state and local ordinances;

(4) who is licensed by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board and is authorized to arrest with a warrant; and

(5) who is a member of a local police relief association to which section 69.77 applies, the State Patrol retirement plan, the public employees police and fire fund, or the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund.

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(h) "Full-time equivalent number of peace officers providing contract service" means the integral or fractional number of peace officers which would be necessary to provide the contract service if all peace officers providing service were employed on a full-time basis as defined by the employing unit and the municipality receiving the contract service.

(i) "Retirement benefits other than a service pension" means any disbursement authorized under section 424A.05, subdivision 3, clauses (2) and (3).

(j) "Municipal clerk, municipal clerk-treasurer, or county auditor" means the person who was elected or appointed to the specified position or, in the absence of the person, another person who is designated by the applicable governing body. In a park district, the clerk is the secretary of the board of park district commissioners. In the case of the University of Minnesota, the clerk is that official designated by the Board of Regents. For the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the clerk is the person designated by the commission. For the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Public Safety, the clerk is the respective commissioner. For a tribal police department which exercises state arrest powers under section 626.90, 626.91, 626.92, or 626.93, the clerk is the person designated by the applicable American Indian tribal government.

(k) "Voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan" means the retirement plan established by chapter 353G.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.011, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Qualification for fire or police state aid. (a) Unless retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, in order to qualify to receive fire state aid, on or before March 15 annually, in conjunction with the financial report required pursuant to section 69.051, the clerk of each municipality having a duly organized fire department as provided in subdivision 4, or the secretary of each independent nonprofit firefighting corporation having a subsidiary incorporated firefighters' relief association whichever is applicable, and the fire chief, shall jointly certify the existence of the municipal fire department or of the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever is applicable, which meets the minimum qualification requirements set forth in this subdivision, and the fire personnel and equipment of the municipal fire department or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation as of the preceding December 31.

(b) Where retirement coverage is provided by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall certify the existence of that coverage for each municipality and the municipal clerk or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation secretary, whichever applies, and the applicable fire chief shall certify the fire personnel and fire department equipment as of the preceding December 31.

(c) Certification ~~shall~~ must be made to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner and shall include any other facts the commissioner may require. The certification ~~shall~~ must be made to the commissioner in duplicate. Each copy of the certificate ~~shall~~ must be duly executed and is deemed to be an original. The commissioner shall forward one copy to the auditor of the county wherein the fire department is located and shall retain one copy.

~~(b)~~ (d) On or before March 15 annually the clerk of each municipality having a duly organized police department and having a duly incorporated relief association shall certify that fact to the county auditor of the county where the police department is located and to the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner together with the other facts the commissioner or auditor may require.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision 2b, on or before March 15 annually, the clerk of each municipality and the auditor of each county employing one or more peace officers as defined in subdivision 1, clause (g), shall certify the number of such peace officers to the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner. Credit for officers

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employed less than a full year ~~shall~~ must be apportioned. Each full month of employment of a qualifying officer during the calendar year ~~shall entitle~~ entitles the employing municipality or county to credit for 1/12 of the payment for employment of a peace officer for the entire year. For purposes of sections 69.011 to 69.051, employment of a peace officer ~~shall commence~~ commences when the peace officer is entered on the payroll of the respective municipal police department or county sheriff's department. No peace officer ~~shall~~ may be included in the certification of the number of peace officers by more than one municipality or county for the same month.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.011, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Qualification for state aid. Any municipality in this state having for more than one year an organized fire department and officially established by the governing body of the municipality or an independent nonprofit fire fighting corporation created under the nonprofit corporation act of this state and operating exclusively for fire fighting purposes and providing retirement and relief benefits to its members or, having a separate subsidiary incorporated firefighter's relief and pension association providing retirement and relief benefits, or participating in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, may qualify to receive state aid if it meets the following minimum requirements or equivalent as determined by the state fire marshal by July 1, 1972:

(a) ten paid or volunteer firefighters including a fire chief and assistant fire chief, and

(b) regular scheduled meetings and frequent drills including instructions in fire fighting tactics and in the use, care, and operation of all fire apparatus and equipment, and

(c) a motorized fire truck equipped with a motorized pump, 250 gallon or larger water tank, 300 feet of one inch or larger fire hose in two lines with combination spray and straight stream nozzles, five-gallon hand pumps--tank extinguisher or equivalent, dry chemical extinguisher or equivalent, ladders, extension ladders, pike poles, crow bars, axes, lanterns, fire coats, helmets, boots, and

(d) apparatus suitably housed in a building of good construction with facilities for care of hose and equipment, and

(e) a reliable and adequate method of receiving fire alarms by telephone or with electric siren and suitable means of sounding an alarm, and

(f) if response is to be provided outside the corporate limits of the municipality wherein the fire department is located, the municipality has another piece of motorized apparatus to make the response, and

(g) other requirements the commissioner establishes by rule.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.021, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Apportionment of fire state aid to municipalities and relief associations. (a) The commissioner shall apportion the fire state aid relative to the premiums reported on the Minnesota Firetown Premium Reports filed under this chapter to each municipality and/or firefighters relief association.

(b) The commissioner shall calculate an initial fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (c) and a minimum fire state aid allocation amount for each municipality or fire department under paragraph (d). The municipality or fire department must receive the larger fire state aid amount.

(c) The initial fire state aid allocation amount is the amount available for apportionment as fire state aid under subdivision 5, without inclusion of any additional funding amount to support a minimum fire state aid amount under section 423A.02, subdivision 3, allocated one-half in proportion to the population as shown in the last official

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statewide federal census for each fire town and one-half in proportion to the market value of each fire town, including (1) the market value of tax exempt property and (2) the market value of natural resources lands receiving in lieu payments under sections 477A.11 to 477A.14, but excluding the market value of minerals. In the case of incorporated or municipal fire departments furnishing fire protection to other cities, towns, or townships as evidenced by valid fire service contracts filed with the commissioner, the distribution must be adjusted proportionately to take into consideration the crossover fire protection service. Necessary adjustments ~~shall~~ must be made to subsequent apportionments. In the case of municipalities or independent fire departments qualifying for the aid, the commissioner shall calculate the state aid for the municipality or relief association on the basis of the population and the market value of the area furnished fire protection service by the fire department as evidenced by duly executed and valid fire service agreements filed with the commissioner. If one or more fire departments are furnishing contracted fire service to a city, town, or township, only the population and market value of the area served by each fire department may be considered in calculating the state aid and the fire departments furnishing service shall enter into an agreement apportioning among themselves the percent of the population and the market value of each service area. The agreement must be in writing and must be filed with the commissioner.

(d) The minimum fire state aid allocation amount is the amount in addition to the initial fire state allocation amount that is derived from any additional funding amount to support a minimum fire state aid amount under section 423A.02, subdivision 3, and allocated to municipalities with volunteer firefighters relief associations or covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan based on the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the annual financial reporting for the calendar year 1993 to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 30 active volunteer firefighters, so that all municipalities or fire departments with volunteer firefighters relief associations receive in total at least a minimum fire state aid amount per 1993 active volunteer firefighter to a maximum of 30 firefighters. If a relief association is established after calendar year 1993 and before calendar year 2000, the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the annual financial reporting for calendar year 1998 to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 30 active volunteer firefighters, shall be used in this determination. If a relief association is established after calendar year 1999, the number of active volunteer firefighters who are members of the relief association as reported in the first annual financial reporting submitted to the Office of the State Auditor, but not to exceed 20 active volunteer firefighters, must be used in this determination. If a relief association is terminated as a result of providing retirement coverage for volunteer firefighters by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G, the number of active volunteer firefighters of the municipality covered by the statewide plan as certified by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association to the commissioner and the state auditor, but not to exceed 30 active firefighters, must be used in this determination.

(e) Unless the firefighters of the applicable fire department are members of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the fire state aid must be paid to the treasurer of the municipality where the fire department is located and the treasurer of the municipality shall, within 30 days of receipt of the fire state aid, transmit the aid to the relief association if the relief association has filed a financial report with the treasurer of the municipality and has met all other statutory provisions pertaining to the aid apportionment. If the firefighters of the applicable fire department are members of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the fire state aid must be paid to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association and deposited in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund.

(f) The commissioner may make rules to permit the administration of the provisions of this section.

(g) Any adjustments needed to correct prior misallocations must be made to subsequent apportionments.

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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.021, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Appeal. In the event that ~~any~~ a municipality, a county, a fire relief association, or a police relief association, or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, feels itself to be aggrieved, it may request the commissioner to review and adjust the apportionment of funds within the county in the case of police state aid, or within the state in the case of fire state aid. The decision of the commissioner is subject to appeal, review, and adjustment by the district court in the county in which the applicable municipality, fire department, or police department is located.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Commissioner of finance's warrant. (a) The commissioner of finance shall issue to the Public Employees Retirement Association on behalf of a municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation that is a member of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G or to the county, municipality, or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation certified to the commissioner of finance by the commissioner a warrant for an amount equal to the amount of fire state aid or police state aid, whichever applies, certified for the applicable state aid recipient by the commissioner under section 69.021.

(b) The amount of state aid due and not paid by October 1 accrues interest at the rate of one percent for each month or part of a month the amount remains unpaid, beginning the preceding July 1.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Deposit of state aid. (a) If the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan under chapter 353G, the executive director shall credit the fire state aid against future municipal contribution requirements under section 353G.08 and shall notify the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation of the fire state aid so credited at least annually. If the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is not covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, the municipal treasurer shall, within 30 days after receipt, transmit the fire state aid to the treasurer of the duly incorporated firefighters' relief association if there is one organized and the association has filed a financial report with the municipality. If the relief association has not filed a financial report with the municipality, the municipal treasurer shall delay transmission of the fire state aid to the relief association until the complete financial report is filed. If the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation is not covered by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, if there is no relief association organized, or if the association has dissolved, or has been removed as trustees of state aid, then the treasurer of the municipality shall deposit the money in the municipal treasury as provided for in section 424A.08 and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner set forth in that section.

(b) The municipal treasurer, upon receipt of the police state aid, shall disburse the police state aid in the following manner:

(1) For a municipality in which a local police relief association exists and all peace officers are members of the association, the total state aid must be transmitted to the treasurer of the relief association within 30 days of the date of receipt, and the treasurer of the relief association shall immediately deposit the total state aid in the special fund of the relief association;

(2) For a municipality in which police retirement coverage is provided by the public employees police and fire fund and all peace officers are members of the fund, including municipalities covered by section 353.665, the total state aid must be applied toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund under sections 353.65, subdivision 3, and 353.665, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), if applicable; or

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(3) For a municipality other than a city of the first class with a population of more than 300,000 in which both a police relief association exists and police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund, the municipality may elect at its option to transmit the total state aid to the treasurer of the relief association as provided in clause (1), to use the total state aid to apply toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund subject to all the provisions set forth in clause (2), or to allot the total state aid proportionately to be transmitted to the police relief association as provided in this subdivision and to apply toward the municipality's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund subject to the provisions of clause (2) on the basis of the respective number of active full-time peace officers, as defined in section 69.011, subdivision 1, clause (g).

For a city of the first class with a population of more than 300,000, in addition, the city may elect to allot the appropriate portion of the total police state aid to apply toward the employer contribution of the city to the public employees police and fire fund based on the covered salary of police officers covered by the fund each payroll period and to transmit the balance to the police relief association; or

(4) For a municipality in which police retirement coverage is provided in part by the public employees police and fire fund and in part by a local police consolidation account governed by chapter 353A and established before March 2, 1999, for which the municipality declined merger under section 353.665, subdivision 1, or established after March 1, 1999, the total police state aid must be applied towards the municipality's total employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund and to the local police consolidation account under sections 353.65, subdivision 3, and 353A.09, subdivision 5.

(c) The county treasurer, upon receipt of the police state aid for the county, shall apply the total state aid toward the county's employer contribution to the public employees police and fire fund under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(d) The designated Metropolitan Airports Commission official, upon receipt of the police state aid for the Metropolitan Airports Commission, shall apply the total police state aid first toward the commission's employer contribution for police officers to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund under section 422A.101, subdivision 2a, and, if there is any amount of police state aid remaining, shall apply that remainder toward the commission's employer contribution for police officers to the public employees police and fire plan under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(e) The police state aid apportioned to the Departments of Public Safety and Natural Resources under section 69.021, subdivision 7a, is appropriated to the commissioner of finance for transfer to the funds and accounts from which the salaries of peace officers certified under section 69.011, subdivision 2a, are paid. The commissioner of revenue shall certify to the commissioners of public safety, natural resources, and finance the amounts to be transferred from the appropriation for police state aid. The commissioners of public safety and natural resources shall certify to the commissioner of finance the amounts to be credited to each of the funds and accounts from which the peace officers employed by their respective departments are paid. Each commissioner ~~must~~ shall allocate the police state aid first for employer contributions for employees funded from the general fund and then for employer contributions for employees funded from other funds. For peace officers whose salaries are paid from the general fund, the amounts transferred from the appropriation for police state aid must be canceled to the general fund.

Sec. 10. [353G.01] DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this chapter, the words or terms defined in this section have the meanings given to them unless the context of the word or term clearly indicates otherwise.

Subd. 2. Advisory board. "Advisory board" means the board established by section 353G.03.

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Subd. 3. Board. "Board" means the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association operating under section 353.03.

Subd. 4. Commissioner of finance. "Commissioner of finance" means the state official appointed and qualified under section 16A.01.

Subd. 5. Executive director; director. "Executive director" or "director" means the person appointed under section 353.03, subdivision 3a.

Subd. 6. Fund. "Fund" means the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund established under section 353G.02, subdivision 3.

Subd. 7. Good time service credit. "Good time service credit" means the length of service credit for an active firefighter that is reported by the applicable fire chief based on the minimum firefighter activity standards of the fire department. The credit may be recognized on an annual or monthly basis.

Subd. 8. Member. "Member" means a volunteer firefighter who provides active service to a municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation where the applicable municipality or corporation has elected coverage by the retirement plan under section 353G.05, and which service is covered by the retirement plan.

Subd. 9. Municipality. "Municipality" means a governmental entity specified in section 69.011, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clauses (1), (2), and (5).

Subd. 10. Plan. "Plan" means the retirement plan established by this chapter.

Subd. 11. Retirement fund. "Retirement fund" means the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund established under section 353G.02, subdivision 3.

Subd. 12. Retirement plan. "Retirement plan" means the retirement plan established by this chapter.

Subd. 13. Standards for actuarial work. "Standards for actuarial work" means the standards adopted by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement under section 3.85, subdivision 10.

Subd. 14. State Board of Investment. "State Board of Investment" means the board created by article XI, section 8, of the Minnesota Constitution and governed by chapter 11A.

Subd. 15. Volunteer firefighter. "Volunteer firefighter" means a person who is an active member of a municipal fire department or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and who, in that capacity, engages in fire suppression activities, provides emergency response services, or delivers fire education or prevention services on an on-call basis.

Sec. 11. [353G.02] PLAN AND FUND CREATION.

Subdivision 1. Retirement plan. The voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is created.

Subd. 2. Administration. The policy-making, management, and administrative functions related to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan and fund are vested in the board of trustees and the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association. Their duties, authority, and responsibilities are as provided in section 353.03. Fiduciary activities of the plan and fund must be undertaken in a manner consistent with chapter 356A.

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Subd. 3. Retirement fund. (a) The voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund is created. The fund contains the assets attributable to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan.

(b) The State Board of Investment shall invest those portions of the retirement fund not required for immediate purposes in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan in the statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter account of the Minnesota supplemental investment fund under section 11A.17.

(c) The commissioner of finance is the ex officio treasurer of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund. The commissioner of finance's general bond to the state covers all liability for actions taken as the treasurer of the retirement fund.

(d) The revenues of the retirement plan beyond investment returns are governed by section 353G.08 and must be deposited in the retirement fund. The disbursements of the retirement plan are governed by section 353G.08. The commissioner of finance shall transmit a detailed statement showing all credits to and disbursements from the retirement fund to the executive director monthly.

Subd. 4. Audit; actuarial valuation. (a) The legislative auditor shall periodically audit the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement fund.

(b) An actuarial valuation of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan may be performed periodically as determined to be appropriate or useful by the board. An actuarial valuation must be performed by the approved actuary retained under section 356.214 and must conform with section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial work. An actuarial valuation must contain sufficient detail for each participating employing entity to ascertain the actuarial condition of its account in the fund and the contribution requirement towards its account.

Subd. 5. Legal advisor; attorney general. (a) The legal advisor of the board and the executive director with respect to the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is the attorney general.

(b) The board may sue, petition, be sued, or be petitioned under this chapter with respect to the plan or the fund in the name of the board.

(c) The attorney general shall represent the board in all actions by the board or against the board with respect to the plan or the fund.

(d) Venue of all actions related to the plan or fund is in the court for the first judicial district unless the action is an appeal to the Court of Appeals under section 356.96.

Sec. 12. [353G.03] VOLUNTARY STATEWIDE LUMP-SUM VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT PLAN ADVISORY BOARD.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. A Voluntary Statewide Lump-Sum Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan Advisory Board is created.

Subd. 2. Function; purpose. The advisory board shall provide advice to the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association about the retirement coverage needs of volunteer firefighters who are members of the plan and about the legislative and administrative changes that would assist the retirement plan in accommodating volunteer firefighters who are not members of the plan.

Subd. 3. Composition. (a) The advisory board consists of seven members.

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(b) The advisory board members are:

(1) one representative of Minnesota townships, appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships;

(2) two representatives of Minnesota cities, appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities;

(3) one representative of Minnesota fire chiefs, who is a fire chief, appointed by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association;

(4) two representatives of Minnesota volunteer firefighters, who are active volunteer firefighters, appointed by the Minnesota State Fire Departments Association; and

(5) one representative of the Office of the State Auditor, designated by the state auditor.

Subd. 4. Term. (a) The initial terms on the advisory board for the Minnesota townships representative and the Minnesota fire chiefs representative are one year. The initial terms on the advisory board for one of the Minnesota cities representatives and one of the Minnesota active volunteer firefighter representatives are two years. The initial terms on the advisory board for the other Minnesota cities representative and the other Minnesota active volunteer firefighter representative are three years. The term for the Office of the State Auditor representative is determined by the state auditor.

(b) Subsequent terms on the advisory board other than the Office of the State Auditor representative are three years.

Subd. 5. Compensation of advisory board. The compensation of members of the advisory board other than the Office of the State Auditor representative is governed by section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

Sec. 13. [353G.04] INFORMATION FROM MUNICIPALITIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

The chief executive officers of municipalities and fire departments with volunteer firefighters covered by the voluntary lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan shall provide all relevant information and records requested by the board, the executive director, and the State Board of Investment as required to perform their duties.

Sec. 14. [353G.05] PLAN COVERAGE ELECTION.

Subdivision 1. Coverage. Any municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation may elect to have its volunteer firefighters covered by the retirement plan.

Subd. 2. Election of coverage. (a) The process for electing coverage of volunteer firefighters by the retirement plan is initiated by a request to the executive director for a cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage.

(b) If the volunteer firefighters are currently covered by a volunteer firefighters' relief association governed by chapter 424A, the cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage must be requested jointly by the secretary of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, following approval of the request by the board of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, and the chief administrative officer of the entity associated with the relief association, following approval of the request by the governing body of the entity associated with the relief association. If the relief association is associated with more than one entity, the chief administrative officer of each associated entity must execute the request. If the volunteer firefighters are not currently covered by a volunteer firefighters' relief association, the cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage must be requested by the chief administrative officer of the entity operating the fire department. The request must be made in writing and must be made on a form prescribed by the executive director.

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(c) The cost analysis of the prospective retirement coverage by the statewide retirement plan must be based on the service pension amount under section 353G.11 closest to the service pension amount provided by the volunteer firefighters' relief association, if there is one, or to the lowest service pension amount under section 353G.11 if there is no volunteer firefighters' relief association, rounded up, and any other service pension amount designated by the requester or requesters. The cost analysis must be prepared using a mathematical procedure certified as accurate by an approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(d) If a cost analysis is requested and a volunteer firefighters' relief association exists that has filed the information required under section 69.051 in a timely fashion, upon request by the executive director, the state auditor shall provide the most recent data available on the financial condition of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the most recent firefighter demographic data available, and a copy of the current relief association bylaws. If a cost analysis is requested, but no volunteer firefighters' relief association exists, the chief administrative officer of the entity operating the fire department shall provide the demographic information on the volunteer firefighters serving as members of the fire department requested by the executive director.

(e) If a cost analysis is requested, the executive director of the State Board of Investment shall review the investment portfolio of the relief association, if applicable, for compliance with the applicable provisions of chapter 11A and for appropriateness for retention under the established investment objectives and investment policies of the State Board of Investment. If the prospective retirement coverage change is approved under paragraph (f), the State Board of Investment may require that the relief association liquidate any investment security or other asset which the executive director of the State Board of Investment has determined to be an ineligible or inappropriate investment for retention by the State Board of Investment. The security or asset liquidation must occur before the effective date of the transfer of retirement plan coverage. If requested to do so by the chief administrative officer of the relief association, the executive director of the State Board of Investment shall provide advice about the best means to conduct the liquidation.

(f) Upon receipt of the cost analysis, the governing body of the municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation associated with the fire department shall approve or disapprove the retirement coverage change within 90 days. If the retirement coverage change is not acted upon within 90 days, it is deemed to be disapproved. If the retirement coverage change is approved by the applicable governing body, coverage by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is effective on the next following January 1.

Sec. 15. [353G.06] DISESTABLISHMENT OF PRIOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION SPECIAL FUND UPON RETIREMENT COVERAGE CHANGE.

Subdivision 1. Special fund disestablishment. (a) On the date immediately prior to the effective date of the coverage change, the special fund of the applicable volunteer firefighters' relief association, if one exists, ceases to exist as a pension fund of the association and legal title to the assets of the special fund transfers to the State Board of Investment, with the beneficial title to the assets of the special fund remaining in the applicable volunteer firefighters.

(b) If the market value of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association for which retirement coverage changed under this chapter declines in the interval between the date of the most recent financial report or statement, and the special fund disestablishment date, the applicable municipality shall transfer an additional amount to the State Board of Investment equal to that decline. If more than one municipality is responsible for the direct management of the fire department, the municipalities shall allocate the additional transfer amount among the various applicable municipalities one-half in proportion to the population of each municipality and one-half in proportion to the market value of each municipality.

Subd. 2. Other relief association changes. In addition to the transfer and disestablishment of the special fund under subdivision 1, notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 424A or 424B to the contrary, upon the effective date of the change in volunteer firefighter retirement coverage, if the relief association membership elects to retain the relief association after the benefit coverage election, the following changes must be implemented with respect to the applicable volunteer firefighters' relief association:

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(1) the relief association board of trustees membership is reduced to five, comprised of the fire chief of the fire department and four trustees elected by and from the relief association membership;

(2) the relief association may only maintain a general fund, which continues to be governed by section 424A.06;

(3) the relief association is not authorized to receive the proceeds of any state aid or to receive any municipal funds; and

(4) the relief association may not pay any service pension or benefit that was not authorized as a general fund disbursement under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association in effect prior to the plan coverage election process.

Subd. 3. Successor in interest. Upon the disestablishment of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association under this section, the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan is the successor in interest of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association for all claims against the special fund other than a claim against the special fund, the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the municipality, the fire department, or any person connected with the volunteer firefighters' relief association in a fiduciary capacity under chapter 356A or common law that was based on any act or acts which were not performed in good faith and which constituted a breach of a fiduciary obligation. As the successor in interest of the special fund of the volunteer firefighters' relief association, the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan may assert any applicable defense in any judicial proceeding which the board of trustees of the volunteer firefighters' relief association or the municipality would have been entitled to assert.

Sec. 16. [353G.07] CERTIFICATION OF GOOD TIME SERVICE CREDIT.

(a) Annually, by March 31, the fire chief of the fire department with firefighters who are active members of the retirement plan shall certify to the executive director the good time service credit for the previous calendar year of each firefighter rendering active service with the fire department.

(b) The fire chief shall provide to each firefighter rendering active service with the fire department notification of the amount of good time service credit rendered by the firefighter for the calendar year. The good time service credit notification must be provided to the firefighter 60 days before its certification to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, along with an indication of the process for the firefighter to challenge the fire chief's determination of good time service credit. If the good time service credit amount is challenged in a timely fashion, the fire chief shall hold a hearing on the challenge, accept and consider any additional pertinent information, and make a final determination of good time service credit. The final determination of good time service credit by the fire chief is not reviewable by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association or by the board of trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(c) The good time service credit certification is an official public document. If a false good time service credit certification is filed or if false information regarding good time service credits is provided, section 353.19 applies.

(d) The good time service credit certification must be expressed as a percentage of a full year of service during which an active firefighter rendered at least the minimum level and quantity of fire suppression, emergency response, fire prevention, or fire education duties required by the fire department under the rules and regulations applicable to the fire department. No more than one year of good time service credit may be certified for a calendar year.

(e) If a firefighter covered by the retirement plan leaves active firefighting service to render active military service that is required to be covered by the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, the person must be certified as providing a full year of good time service credit in each year of the

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military service, up to the applicable limit of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. If the firefighter does not return from the military service in compliance with the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the good time service credits applicable to that military service credit period are forfeited and cancel at the end of the calendar year in which the federal law time limit occurs.

Sec. 17. [353G.08] RETIREMENT PLAN FUNDING; DISBURSEMENTS.

(a) Annually, the executive director shall determine the funding requirements of each account in the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan on or before August 1. The funding requirements as directed under this section, must be determined using a mathematical procedure developed and certified as accurate by an approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association and based on present value factors using a six percent interest rate, without any decrement assumptions. The funding requirements must be certified to the entity or entities associated with the fire department whose active firefighters are covered by the retirement plan.

(b) The overall funding balance of each account for the current calendar year must be determined in the following manner:

(1) The total accrued liability for all active and deferred members of the account as of December 31 of the current year must be calculated based on the good time service credit of active and deferred members as of that date.

(2) The total present assets of the account projected to December 31 of the current year, including receipts by and disbursements from the account anticipated to occur on or before December 31, must be calculated. To the extent possible, the market value of assets must be utilized in making this calculation.

(3) The amount of the total present assets calculated under clause (2) must be subtracted from the amount of the total accrued liability calculated under clause (1). If the amount of total present assets exceeds the amount of the total accrued liability, then the account is considered to have a surplus over full funding. If the amount of the total present assets is less than the amount of the total accrued liability, then the account is considered to have a deficit from full funding. If the amount of total present assets is equal to the amount of the total accrued liability, then the special fund is considered to be fully funded.

(c) The financial requirements of each account for the following calendar year must be determined in the following manner:

(1) The total accrued liability for all active and deferred members of the account as of December 31 of the calendar year next following the current calendar year must be calculated based on the good time service used in the calculation under paragraph (b), clause (1), increased by one year.

(2) The increase in the total accrued liability of the account for the following calendar year over the total accrued liability of the account for the current year must be calculated.

(3) The amount of anticipated future administrative expenses of the account must be calculated by multiplying the dollar amount of the administrative expenses for the most recent prior calendar year by the factor of 1.035.

(4) If the account is fully funded, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (2) and (3).

(5) If the account has a deficit from full funding, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the total of the amounts calculated under clauses (2) and (3) plus an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of the deficit from full funding of the account.

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(6) If the account has a surplus over full funding, the financial requirement of the account for the following calendar year is the financial requirement of the account calculated as though the account was fully funded under clause (4) and, if the account has also had a surplus over full funding during the prior two years, additionally reduced by an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of the surplus over full funding of the account.

(d) The required contribution of the entity or entities associated with the fire department whose active firefighters are covered by the retirement plan is the annual financial requirements of the account of the retirement plan under paragraph (c) reduced by the amount of any fire state aid payable under sections 69.011 to 69.051 reasonably anticipated to be received by the retirement plan attributable to the entity or entities during the following calendar year, and an amount of interest on the assets projected to be received during the following calendar year calculated at the rate of six percent per annum. The required contribution must be allocated between the entities if more than one entity is involved. A reasonable amount of anticipated fire state aid is an amount that does not exceed the fire state aid actually received in the prior year multiplied by the factor 1.035.

(e) The required contribution calculated in paragraph (d) must be paid to the retirement plan on or before December 31 of the year for which it was calculated. If the contribution is not received by the retirement plan by December 31, it is payable with interest at an annual compound rate of six percent from the date due until the date payment is received by the retirement plan. If the entity does not pay the full amount of the required contribution, the executive director shall collect the unpaid amount under section 353.28, subdivision 6.

(f) The assets of the retirement fund may only be disbursed for:

(1) the administrative expenses of the retirement plan;

(2) the investment expenses of the retirement fund;

(3) the service pensions payable under section 353G.10, 353G.11, 353G.14, or 353G.15; and

(4) the survivor benefits payable under section 353G.12.

Sec. 18. [353G.09] RETIREMENT BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY.

Subdivision 1. Entitlement. Except as provided in subdivision 3, an active member of the retirement plan is entitled to a lump-sum service pension from the retirement plan if the person:

(1) has separated from active service with the fire department for at least 30 days;

(2) has attained the age of at least 50 years;

(3) has completed at least five years of good time service credit as a member of the retirement plan; and

(4) applies in a manner prescribed by the executive director for the service pension.

Subd. 2. Vesting schedule; nonforfeitable portion of service pension. If an active member has completed less than 20 years of good time service credit, the person's entitlement is to the nonforfeitable percentage of the applicable service pension amount, as follows:

Completed years of good Nonforfeitable percentage

time service credit of the service pension

5 40 percent

6 44 percent

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7 48 percent

8 52 percent

9 56 percent

10 60 percent

11 64 percent

12 68 percent

13 72 percent

14 76 percent

15 80 percent

16 84 percent

17 88 percent

18 92 percent

19 96 percent

20 and thereafter 100 percent

Subd. 3. Alternative pension eligibility and computation. (a) An active member of the retirement plan is entitled to an alternative lump-sum service pension from the retirement plan if the person:

(1) has separated from active service with the fire department for at least 30 days;

(2) has attained the age of at least 50 years or the age for receipt of a service pension under the benefit plan of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association as of the date immediately prior to the election of the retirement coverage change, whichever is later;

(3) has completed at least five years of active service with the fire department and at least five years in total as a member of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association or of the retirement plan, but has not rendered at least five years of good time service credit as a member of the retirement plan; and

(4) applies in a manner prescribed by the executive director for the service pension.

(b) The alternative lump-sum service pension is the service pension amount specified in the bylaws of the applicable former volunteer firefighters' relief association either as of the date immediately prior to the election of the retirement coverage change or as of the date immediately before the termination of firefighting services, whichever is earlier, multiplied by the total number of years of service as a member of that volunteer firefighters' relief association and as a member of the retirement plan.

Sec. 19. [353G.10] DEFERRED SERVICE PENSION AMOUNT.

A person who was an active member of a fire department covered by the retirement plan who has separated from active firefighting service for at least 30 days and who has completed at least five years of good time service credit, but has not attained the age of 50 years, is entitled to a deferred service pension on or after attaining the age of 50 years and applying in a manner specified by the executive director for the service pension. The service pension payable is the nonforfeitable percentage of the service pension under section 353G.09, subdivision 2, and is payable without any interest over the period of deferral.

Sec. 20. [353G.11] SERVICE PENSION LEVELS.

Subdivision 1. Levels. The retirement plan provides the following levels of service pension amounts to be selected at the election of coverage, or, if fully funded, thereafter:

Level A $500 per year of good time service credit

Level B $750 per year of good time service credit

Level C $1,000 per year of good time service credit

Level D $1,500 per year of good time service credit

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Level E $2,000 per year of good time service credit

Level F $2,500 per year of good time service credit

Level G $3,000 per year of good time service credit

Level H $3,500 per year of good time service credit

Level I $4,000 per year of good time service credit

Level J $4,500 per year of good time service credit

Level K $5,000 per year of good time service credit

Level L $5,500 per year of good time service credit

Level M $6,000 per year of good time service credit

Level N $6,500 per year of good time service credit

Level O $7,000 per year of good time service credit

Level P $7,500 per year of good time service credit

Subd. 2. Level selection. At the time of the election to transfer retirement coverage, or on April 30 thereafter, the governing body or bodies of the entity or entities operating the fire department whose firefighters are covered by the retirement plan may request a cost estimate from the executive director of an increase in the service pension level applicable to the active firefighters of the fire department. Within 90 days of the receipt of the cost estimate prepared by the executive director using a procedure certified as accurate by the approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement Association, the governing body or bodies may approve the service pension level change, effective for the following calendar year. If not approved in a timely fashion, the service pension level change is considered to have been disapproved.

Subd. 3. Supplemental benefit. The retirement plan also shall pay a supplemental benefit as provided for in section 424A.10.

Subd. 4. Ancillary benefits. No disability, death, funeral, or other ancillary benefit beyond a service pension or a survivor benefit is payable from the retirement plan.

Sec. 21. [353G.12] SURVIVOR BENEFIT.

Subdivision 1. Entitlement. (a) A survivor of a deceased active member of the retirement plan or a deceased deferred member of the retirement plan, upon application as prescribed by the executive director, is entitled to receive a survivor benefit.

(b) A survivor is the spouse of the member, or if none, the minor child or children of the member, or if none, the estate of the member.

Subd. 2. Survivor benefit amount. The amount of the survivor benefit is the amount of the service pension that would have been payable to the member of the retirement plan on the date of death if the member had been age 50 or older on that date.

Sec. 22. [353G.13] PORTABILITY.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. An active firefighter who is a member of the retirement plan who also renders firefighting service and has good time service credit in the retirement plan from another fire department, if the good time service credit in the plan from a combination of periods totals at least five years, is eligible, upon complying with the other requirements of section 353G.09, to receive a service pension upon filing an application in the manner prescribed by the executive director, computed as provided in subdivision 2.

Subd. 2. Combined service pension computation. The service pension payable to a firefighter who qualifies under subdivision 1 is the per year of good time service credit service pension amount in effect for each account in which the firefighter has good time service credit as of the date on which the firefighter terminated active service with the fire department associated with the applicable account, multiplied by the number of years of good time service credit that the firefighter has in the applicable account.

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Subd. 3. Payment. A service pension under this section must be paid in a single payment, with the applicable portion of the total service pension payment amount deducted from each account.

Sec. 23. [353G.14] PURCHASE OF ANNUITY CONTRACTS.

The executive director may purchase an annuity contract on behalf of a retiring firefighter with a total premium payment in an amount equal to the lump-sum service pension payable under section 353G.09 if the purchase was requested by the retiring firefighter in a manner prescribed by the executive director. The annuity contract must be purchased from an insurance carrier that is licensed to do business in this state. If purchased, the annuity contract is in lieu of any service pension or other benefit from the retirement plan. The annuity contract may be purchased at any time after the volunteer firefighter discontinues active service, but the annuity contract must stipulate that no annuity amounts are payable before the former volunteer firefighter attains the age of 50.

Sec. 24. [353G.15] INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT TRANSFER.

Upon receipt of a determination that the retirement plan is a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, the executive director, upon request, shall transfer the service pension amount under sections 353G.08 and 353G.11 of a former volunteer firefighter who has terminated active firefighting services covered by the plan and who has attained the age of at least 50 years to the person's individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The transfer request must be in a manner prescribed by the executive director and must be filed by the former volunteer firefighter who has sufficient service credit to be entitled to a service pension or, following the death of a participating active firefighter, must be filed by the deceased firefighter's surviving spouse.

Sec. 25. [353G.16] EXEMPTION FROM PROCESS.

The provisions of section 356.401 apply to the retirement plan.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Covered public pension plans and funds. This section applies to the following public pension plans:

(1) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System;

(2) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(3) the Teachers Retirement Association;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan;

(5) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(6) the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(7) the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund;

(8) the University of Minnesota faculty retirement plan;

(9) the University of Minnesota faculty supplemental retirement plan;

(10) the judges retirement fund;

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(11) a police or firefighter's relief association specified or described in section 69.77, subdivision 1a;

(12) a volunteer firefighter relief association governed by section 69.771, subdivision 1;

(13) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association;

(14) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; ~~and~~

(15) the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; and

(16) the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan.

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.401, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Covered retirement plans. The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans:

(1) the legislators retirement plan, established by chapter 3A;

(2) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established by chapter 352;

(3) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established by chapter 352;

(4) the State Patrol retirement plan, established by chapter 352B;

(5) the elective state officers retirement plan, established by chapter 352C;

(6) the unclassified state employees retirement program, established by chapter 352D;

(7) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353;

(8) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353;

(9) the public employees defined contribution plan, established by chapter 353D;

(10) the local government correctional service retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established by chapter 353E;

(11) the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan, established by chapter 353G;

(12) the Teachers Retirement Association, established by chapter 354;

~~(12)~~ (13) the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;

~~(13) the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;~~

(14) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established by chapter 354A;

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(15) the individual retirement account plan, established by chapter 354B;

(16) the higher education supplemental retirement plan, established by chapter 354C;

(17) the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, established by chapter 422A;

(18) the Minneapolis Police Relief Association, established by chapter 423B;

(19) the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association, established by chapter 423C; and

(20) the judges retirement fund, established by chapter 490.

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.96, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) Unless the language or context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, for the purpose of this section, the terms in paragraphs (b) to (e) have the meanings given them.

(b) "Chief administrative officer" means the executive director of a covered pension plan or the executive director's designee or representative.

(c) "Covered pension plan" means a plan enumerated in section 356.20, subdivision 2, clauses (1) to (4), (10), and (13) to ~~(15)~~ (16), but does not mean the deferred compensation plan administered under sections 352.965 and 352.97 or to the postretirement health care savings plan administered under section 352.98.

(d) "Governing board" means the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the Board of Trustees of the Teachers Retirement Association, or the Board of Directors of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

(e) "Person" includes an active, retired, deferred, or nonvested inactive participant in a covered pension plan or a beneficiary of a participant, or an individual who has applied to be a participant or who is or may be a survivor of a participant, or a state agency or other governmental unit that employs active participants in a covered pension plan.

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) "qualified recipient" means an individual who receives a lump-sum distribution of pension or retirement benefits from a firefighters' relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan for service that the individual has performed as a volunteer firefighter;

(2) "survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter" means the legally married spouse of a deceased volunteer firefighter, or, if none, the surviving minor child or minor children of a deceased volunteer firefighter;

(3) "active volunteer firefighter" means a person who regularly renders fire suppression service for a municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, who has met the statutory and other requirements for relief association membership, and who has been a fully qualified member of the relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan for at least one month; and

(4) "deferred volunteer firefighter" means a former active volunteer firefighter who terminated active firefighting service, has sufficient service credit from the applicable relief association or from the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan to be entitled to a service pension, but has not applied for or has not received the service pension.

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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Payment of supplemental benefit. (a) Upon the payment by a firefighters' relief association or by the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan of a lump-sum distribution to a qualified recipient, the association must pay a supplemental benefit to the qualified recipient. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the relief association must pay the supplemental benefit out of its special fund and the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan must pay the supplemental benefit out of the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan. The amount of this benefit equals ten percent of the regular lump-sum distribution that is paid on the basis of the recipient's service as a volunteer firefighter. In no case may the amount of the supplemental benefit exceed $1,000. A supplemental benefit under this paragraph may not be paid to a survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter in that capacity.

(b) Upon the payment by a relief association or the retirement plan of a lump-sum survivor benefit ~~or funeral benefit~~ to a survivor of a deceased active volunteer firefighter or of a deceased deferred volunteer firefighter, the association may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the special fund of the relief association if its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide and the retirement plan may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the retirement fund if chapter 353G so provides. The amount of the supplemental survivor benefit is 20 percent of the survivor benefit ~~or funeral benefit~~, but not to exceed $2,000.

(c) An individual may receive a supplemental benefit under paragraph (a) or under paragraph (b), but not under both paragraphs with respect to one lump-sum volunteer firefighter benefit.

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. State reimbursement. (a) Each year, to be eligible for state reimbursement of the amount of supplemental benefits paid under subdivision 2 during the preceding calendar year, the relief association ~~must~~ or the voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan shall apply to the commissioner of revenue by February 15. By March 15, the commissioner shall reimburse the relief association for the amount of the supplemental benefits paid to qualified recipients and to survivors of deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighters.

(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of and supporting information that must be supplied as part of the application for state reimbursement. The commissioner of revenue shall reimburse the relief association by paying the reimbursement amount to the treasurer of the municipality where the association is located and shall reimburse the retirement plan by paying the reimbursement amount to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association. Within 30 days after receipt, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the state reimbursement to the treasurer of the association if the association has filed a financial report with the municipality. If the relief association has not filed a financial report with the municipality, the municipal treasurer shall delay transmission of the reimbursement payment to the association until the complete financial report is filed. If the association has dissolved or has been removed as a trustee of state aid, the treasurer shall deposit the money in a special account in the municipal treasury, and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner provided in section 424A.08. When paid to the association, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the special fund of the relief association and when paid to the retirement plan, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the retirement fund of the plan.

Sec. 32. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 31 are effective August 1, 2009.

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ARTICLE 11

VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION CHANGES

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Deposit of state aid. (a) The municipal treasurer shall, within 30 days after receipt, transmit the fire state aid to the treasurer of the duly incorporated firefighters' relief association if there is one organized and the association has filed a financial report with the municipality. If the relief association has not filed a financial report with the municipality, the municipal treasurer shall delay transmission of the fire state aid to the relief association until the complete financial report is filed. If there is no relief association organized, or if the association has dissolved, or has been removed as trustees of state aid, then the treasurer of the municipality shall deposit the money in the municipal treasury ~~as provided for in section 424A.08~~ and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner set forth in ~~that~~ section 424A.08 or for the payment of the employer contribution requirement with respect to firefighters covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 353.65, subdivision 3.

(b) The municipal treasurer, upon receipt of the police state aid, shall disburse the police state aid in the following manner:

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EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.771, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Remedy for noncompliance; determination. (a) A municipality in which there exists a firefighters' relief association as specified in subdivision 1 which does not comply with the applicable provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 or the provisions of any applicable special law relating to the funding or financing of the association does not qualify initially to receive, and is not entitled subsequently to retain, fire state aid under sections 69.011 to 69.051 until the reason for the disqualification specified by the state auditor is remedied, whereupon the municipality or relief association, if otherwise qualified, is entitled to again receive fire state aid for the year occurring immediately subsequent to the year in which the disqualification is remedied.

(b) The state auditor shall determine if a municipality to which a firefighters' relief association is directly associated or a firefighters' relief association fails to comply with the provisions of sections 69.771 to 69.776 or the funding or financing provisions of any applicable special law based upon the information contained in the annual financial report of the firefighters' relief association required under section 69.051, the actuarial valuation of the relief association, if applicable, the relief association officers' financial requirements of the relief association and minimum municipal obligation determination documentation under section 69.772, subdivisions 3 and 4; 69.773, subdivisions 4 and 5; or 69.774, subdivision 2, if requested to be filed by the state auditor, the applicable municipal or nonprofit firefighting corporation budget, if requested to be filed by the state auditor, and any other relevant documents or reports obtained by the state auditor.

(c) The municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation and the associated relief association are not eligible to receive or to retain fire state aid if:

(1) the relief association fails to prepare or to file the financial report or financial statement under section 69.051;

(2) the relief association treasurer is not bonded in the manner and in the amount required by section 69.051, subdivision 2;

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(3) the relief association officers fail to determine or improperly determine the accrued liability and the annual accruing liability of the relief association under section 69.772, subdivisions 2, 2a, and 3, paragraph (c), clause (2), if applicable;

(4) if applicable, the relief association officers fail to obtain and file a required actuarial valuation or the officers file an actuarial valuation that does not contain the special fund actuarial liability calculated under the entry age normal actuarial cost method, the special fund current assets, the special fund unfunded actuarial accrued liability, the special fund normal cost under the entry age normal actuarial cost method, the amortization requirement for the special fund unfunded actuarial accrued liability by the applicable target date, a summary of the applicable benefit plan, a summary of the membership of the relief association, a summary of the actuarial assumptions used in preparing the valuation, and a signed statement by the actuary attesting to its results and certifying to the qualifications of the actuary as an approved actuary under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c);

(5) the municipality failed to provide a municipal contribution, or the nonprofit firefighting corporation failed to provide a corporate contribution, in the amount equal to the minimum municipal obligation if the relief association is governed under section 69.772, or the amount necessary, when added to the fire state aid actually received in the plan year in question, to at least equal in total the calculated annual financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association if the relief association is governed under section 69.773, and, if the municipal or corporate contribution is deficient, the municipality failed to include the minimum municipal obligation certified under section 69.772, subdivision 3, or 69.773, subdivision 5, in its budget and tax levy or the nonprofit firefighting corporation failed to include the minimum corporate obligation certified under section 69.774, subdivision 2, in the corporate budget;

(6) the defined benefit relief association did not receive municipal ratification for the most recent plan amendment when municipal ratification was required under section 69.772, subdivision 6; 69.773, subdivision 6; or 424A.02, subdivision 10;

(7) the relief association invested special fund assets in an investment security that is not authorized under section 69.775;

(8) the relief association had an administrative expense that is not authorized under section 69.80 or 424A.05, subdivision 3, or the municipality had an expenditure that is not authorized under section 424A.08;

(9) the relief association officers fail to provide a complete and accurate public pension plan investment portfolio and performance disclosure under section 356.219;

(10) the relief association fails to obtain the acknowledgment from a broker of the statement of investment restrictions under section 356A.06, subdivision 8b;

(11) the relief association officers permitted to occur a prohibited transaction under section 356A.06, subdivision 9, or ~~424A.001~~ 424A.04, subdivision 7 2a, or failed to undertake correction of a prohibited transaction that did occur; or

(12) the relief association pays a defined benefit service pension in an amount that is in excess of the applicable service pension maximum under section 424A.02, subdivision 3.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.772, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Certification of financial requirements and minimum municipal obligation; levy. (a) The officers of the relief association shall certify the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association and the minimum obligation of the municipality with respect to the special fund of the relief association as determined under subdivision 3 to the governing body of the municipality on or before August 1 of each year. The financial requirements of the relief association and the minimum municipal obligation must be included in the financial report or financial statement under section 69.051. The schedule forms related to the determination of the financial requirements must be filed with the state auditor by March 31, annually, if the relief association is required to file a financial statement under section 69.051, subdivision 1a, or by June 30, annually, if the relief association is required to file a financial report and audit under section 69.051, subdivision 1.

(b) The municipality shall provide for at least the minimum obligation of the municipality with respect to the special fund of the relief association by tax levy or from any other source of public revenue.

(c) The municipality may levy taxes for the payment of the minimum municipal obligation without any limitation as to rate or amount and irrespective of any limitations imposed by other provisions of law upon the rate or amount of taxation until the balance of the special fund or any fund of the relief association has attained a specified level. In addition, any taxes levied under this section must not cause the amount or rate of any other taxes levied in that year or to be levied in a subsequent year by the municipality which are subject to a limitation as to rate or amount to be reduced.

(d) If the municipality does not include the full amount of the minimum municipal obligations in its levy for any year, the officers of the relief association shall certify that amount to the county auditor, who shall spread a levy in the amount of the certified minimum municipal obligation on the taxable property of the municipality.

(e) If the state auditor determines that a municipal contribution actually made in a plan year was insufficient under section 69.771, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (5), the state auditor may request a copy of the certifications under this subdivision from the relief association or from the city. The relief association or the city, whichever applies, must provide the certifications within 14 days of the date of the request from the state auditor.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.772, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Municipal ratification for plan amendments. If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), or if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the adoption of or any amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a relief association which increases or otherwise affects the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of any relief association to which this section applies ~~shall~~ is not be effective until it is ratified by the governing body of the municipality in which the relief association is located and the officers of a relief association shall not seek municipal ratification prior to preparing and certifying an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the amendment. If the special fund of the relief association has a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), and if the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the relief association may adopt or amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of the relief association which ~~shall be~~ are effective without municipal ratification so long as this does not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the ~~prior~~ surplus over full funding reported in the prior year and this does not

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result in the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association exceeding the expected amount of the future fire state aid to be received by the relief association as determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the change. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification pursuant to this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification ~~shall~~ is no longer be effective without municipal ratification and any service pensions or retirement benefits payable after that date ~~shall~~ may be paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 69.773, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Municipal ratification for plan amendments. If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 4, or if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the adoption of or any amendment to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a relief association which increases or otherwise affects the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of any relief association to which this section applies ~~shall~~ is not be effective until it is ratified by the governing body of the municipality in which the relief association is located. If the special fund of the relief association has a surplus over full funding pursuant to subdivision 4, and if the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section, the relief association may adopt or amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the retirement coverage provided by or the service pensions or retirement benefits payable from the special fund of the relief association which ~~shall be~~ are effective without municipal ratification so long as this does not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund of the relief association to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the ~~prior~~ surplus over full funding reported in the prior year and this does not result in the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association exceeding the expected amount of the future fire state aid to be received by the relief association as determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an updated actuarial valuation including the proposed change or an estimate of the expected actuarial impact of the proposed change prepared by the actuary of the relief association. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification pursuant to this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund of the relief association pursuant to this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification ~~shall~~ is no longer be effective without municipal ratification and any service pensions or retirement benefits payable after that date ~~shall be~~ may paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.219, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Content of reports. (a) The report required by subdivision 1 must include a written statement of the investment policy. Following that initial report, subsequent reports must include investment policy changes and the effective date of each policy change rather than a complete statement of investment policy, unless the state auditor requests submission of a complete current statement. The report must also include the information required by the following paragraphs, as applicable.

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(b) If, after four years of reporting under this paragraph, the total portfolio time weighted rate of return, net of all investment related costs and fees, provided by the public pension plan differs by no more than 0.1 percent from the comparable return for the plan calculated by the Office of the State Auditor, and if a public pension plan has a total market value of $25,000,000 or more as of the beginning of the calendar year, and if the public pension plan's annual audit is performed by the state auditor or by the legislative auditor, the report required by subdivision 1 must include the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each asset class included in the pension fund as of the beginning of the calendar year and as of the end of the calendar year. At the discretion of the state auditor, the public pension plan may be required to submit the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class included in the pension fund for each month, and the amount and date of each injection and withdrawal to the total portfolio and to each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class. If the market value of a public pension plan's fund drops below $25,000,000 in a subsequent year, it must continue reporting under this paragraph for any subsequent year in which the public pension plan is not fully invested as specified in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), except that if the public pension plan's annual audit is not performed by the state auditor or legislative auditor, paragraph (c) applies.

(c) If paragraph (b) would apply if the annual audit were provided by the state auditor or legislative auditor, the report required by subdivision 1 must include the market value of the total portfolio and the market value of each asset class included in the pension fund as of the beginning of the calendar year and for each month, and the amount and date of each injection and withdrawal to the total portfolio and to each investment account, investment portfolio, or asset class.

(d) For public pension plans to which paragraph (b) or (c) applies, the report required by subdivision 1 must also include a calculation of the total time-weighted rate of return available from index-matching investments assuming the asset class performance targets and target asset mix indicated in the written statement of investment policy. The provided information must include a description of indices used in the analyses and an explanation of why those indices are appropriate. This paragraph does not apply to any fully invested plan, as defined by subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Reporting by the State Board of Investment under this paragraph is limited to information on the Minnesota public pension plans required to be invested by the State Board of Investment under section 11A.23.

(e) If a public pension plan has a total market value of less than $25,000,000 as of the beginning of the calendar year and was never required to file under paragraph (b) or (c), the report required by subdivision 1 must include the amount and date of each total portfolio injection and withdrawal. In addition, the report must include the market value of the total portfolio as of the beginning of the calendar year and for each quarter.

(f) Any public pension plan reporting under paragraph (b) or (c) must include computed time-weighted rates of return with the report, in addition to all other required information, as applicable. The chief administrative officer of the public pension plan submitting the returns must certify, on a form prescribed by the state auditor, that the returns have been computed by the pension plan's investment performance consultant or custodial bank. The chief administrative officer of the public pension plan submitting the returns also must certify that the returns are net of all costs and fees, including investment management fees, and that the procedures used to compute the returns are consistent with Bank Administration Institute studies of investment performance measurement and presentation standards set by the ~~Certified Financial Analyst~~ CFA Institute. If the certifications required under this paragraph are not provided, the reporting requirements of paragraph (c) apply.

(g) For public pension plans reporting under paragraph (e), the public pension plan must retain supporting information specifying the date and amount of each injection and withdrawal to each investment account and investment portfolio. The public pension plan must also retain the market value of each investment account and investment portfolio at the beginning of the calendar year and for each quarter. Information that is required to be collected and retained for any given year or years under this paragraph must be submitted to the Office of the State Auditor if the Office of the State Auditor requests in writing that the information be submitted by a public pension plan or plans, or be submitted by the State Board of Investment for any plan or plans for which the State Board of

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Investment is the investment authority under this section. If the state auditor requests information under this subdivision, and the public plan fails to comply, the pension plan is subject to penalties under subdivision 5, unless penalties are waived by the state auditor under that subdivision.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 7. [420.20] PROHIBITION OF SERVICE BY MINORS AS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS.

It is unlawful for any municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation to employ a minor to serve as a firefighter or to permit a minor to serve in any capacity performing any firefighting duties with a fire department, except for members of a youth, civic, or educational organization or program who participate with uninterrupted adult supervision, as allowed by federal law and by section 181A.04. Such organizations or programs include, but are not limited to, Boy Scout Explorer programs or firefighting degree programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Terms defined. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used in this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a. Ancillary benefit. "Ancillary benefit" means a benefit payable from the special fund of the relief association other than a service pension that is permitted by law and that is provided for in the relief association bylaws.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1b. Defined benefit relief association. "Defined benefit relief association" means a volunteer firefighters' relief association that provides a lump-sum service pension, provides a monthly benefit service pension, or provides a lump-sum service pension as an alternative to the monthly benefit service pension.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1c. Defined contribution relief association. "Defined contribution relief association" means a volunteer firefighters' relief association that provides a service pension based solely on an individual account balance rather than a specified annual lump-sum or monthly benefit service pension amount.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Fire department. "Fire department" includes a municipal fire department ~~and~~ or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Municipality. "Municipality" means a municipality which has established a fire department with which the relief association is directly associated, or the municipalities which have entered into a contract with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation of which the relief association is a subsidiary.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Relief association. "Relief association" means ~~(a)~~

(1) a volunteer firefighters' relief association or a volunteer firefighters' division or account of a partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association that is organized and incorporated under chapter 317A and any laws of the state, is governed by this chapter and chapter 69, and is directly associated with a fire department established by municipal ordinance; or

~~(b)~~ (2) any ~~separate~~ separately incorporated volunteer firefighters' relief association that is subsidiary to and ~~providing~~ that provides service pension and retirement benefit coverage for members of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation that is organized under the provisions of chapter 317A, is governed by this chapter, and ~~operating~~ operates exclusively for firefighting purposes. A relief association is a governmental entity that receives and manages public money to provide retirement benefits for individuals providing the governmental services of firefighting and emergency first response.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Special fund. "Special fund" means the special fund of a volunteer firefighters' relief association or the account for volunteer firefighters within the special fund of a partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Surviving spouse. For purposes of this chapter, and the ~~governing~~ bylaws ~~of any~~ governing a relief association to which this chapter applies, ~~the term~~ "surviving spouse" means the spouse of a deceased member who was legally married to the member at the time of the member's death.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Firefighting service. "Firefighting service," if the applicable municipality approves for a fire department that is a municipal department, or if the applicable contracting municipality or municipalities approve for a fire department that is an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, includes fire department service rendered by fire prevention personnel.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Separate from active service. "Separate from active service" means to that a firefighter permanently ~~cease~~ ceases to perform fire suppression duties with a particular volunteer fire department, to permanently ~~cease~~ ceases to perform fire prevention duties, to permanently ~~cease~~ ceases to supervise fire suppression duties, and to permanently ~~cease~~ ceases to supervise fire prevention duties.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.001, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10. Volunteer firefighter. "Volunteer firefighter" means a person who either:

(1) was a member of the applicable fire department or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and a member of the relief association on July 1, 2006; or

(2) became a member of the applicable fire department or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and is eligible for membership in the applicable relief association after June 30, 2006, and

(i) is engaged in providing emergency response services or delivering fire education or prevention services as a member of a municipal fire department, a joint powers entity fire department, or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation;

(ii) is trained in or is qualified to provide fire suppression duties or to provide fire prevention duties under subdivision 8; and

(iii) meets any other minimum firefighter and service standards established by the fire department or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation or specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 20. [424A.002] AUTHORIZATION OF NEW OR CONTINUING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS.

Subdivision 1. Authorization. A municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, with approval by the applicable municipality or municipalities, may establish a new volunteer firefighters' relief association or may retain an existing volunteer firefighters' relief association.

Subd. 2. Defined benefit or defined contribution relief association. The articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the volunteer firefighters' relief association must specify that the relief association is either a defined benefit relief association subject to sections 69.771 to 69.774, 424A.015, and 424A.02 or is a defined contribution relief association subject to sections 424A.015 and 424A.016.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.01, is amended to read:

424A.01 MEMBERSHIP IN A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

Subdivision 1. Minors. ~~It is unlawful for any~~ (a) No volunteer firefighters' relief association associated with a municipality or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation ~~to employ~~ may include as a relief association member a minor serving as a ~~volunteer~~ firefighter ~~or to permit a minor to serve in any capacity performing any~~

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~~firefighting duties with a volunteer fire department~~, except for members of a youth, civic, or educational organization or program who participate with uninterrupted adult supervision, as allowed by federal law and by section 181A.04. Such organizations or programs include, but are not limited to, Boy Scout Explorer programs or firefighting degree programs.

(b) No volunteer firefighters' relief association associated with a municipality or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation may include as a relief association member a minor serving as a volunteer firefighter.

Subd. 2. Status of substitute volunteer firefighters. No person who is serving as a substitute volunteer firefighter ~~shall be deemed~~ may be considered to be a firefighter for purposes of chapter 69 or this chapter ~~nor shall be~~ and no substitute volunteer firefighter is authorized to be a member of any volunteer firefighters' relief association governed by chapter 69 or this chapter.

Subd. 3. Status of nonmember volunteer firefighters. No person who is serving as a firefighter in a fire department but who is not a member of the applicable firefighters' relief association ~~shall be~~ is entitled to any service pension or ancillary benefits from the relief association.

Subd. 4. Exclusion of persons constituting an unwarranted health risk. The board of trustees of every relief association may exclude from membership in the relief association all applicants who, due to some medically determinable physical or mental impairment or condition, ~~would~~ is determined to constitute a predictable and unwarranted risk of imposing liability for an ancillary benefit at any age earlier than the minimum age specified for receipt of a service pension. Notwithstanding any provision of section 363A.25, it ~~shall be~~ is a good and valid defense to a complaint or action brought under chapter 363A that the board of trustees of the relief association made a good faith determination that the applicant suffers from an impairment or condition constituting a predictable and unwarranted risk for the relief association if the determination was made following consideration of: ~~(a)~~ (1) the person's medical history; and ~~(b)~~ (2) the report of the physician completing a physical examination of the applicant ~~completed~~ undertaken at the expense of the relief association.

Subd. 5. Fire prevention personnel. (a) If the fire department is a municipal department and the applicable municipality approves, or if the fire department is an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation and the contracting municipality or municipalities approve, the fire department may employ or otherwise utilize the services of persons as volunteer firefighters to perform fire prevention duties and to supervise fire prevention activities.

(b) Personnel serving in fire prevention positions are eligible to be members of the applicable volunteer firefighter relief association and to qualify for service pension or other benefit coverage of the relief association on the same basis as fire department personnel who perform fire suppression duties.

(c) Personnel serving in fire prevention positions also are eligible to receive any other benefits under the applicable law or practice for services on the same basis as personnel who are employed to perform fire suppression duties.

Subd. 6. Return to active firefighting after break in service. (a) If a former active firefighter who has ceased to perform or supervise fire suppression and fire prevention duties for at least 60 days resumes performing active firefighting with the fire department associated with the relief association, if the bylaws of the relief association so permit, the person may again become an active member of the relief association.

(b) A firefighter who returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a) may qualify for the receipt of a service pension from the relief association for the resumption service period if the firefighter meets a minimum period of resumption service specified in the relief association bylaws.

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(c) A firefighter who returns to active lump-sum relief association membership and who qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (b) must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, any service pension for the resumption service period calculated as a separate benefit. If a lump-sum service pension had been paid to the firefighter upon the firefighter's previous cessation of duties, a second lump-sum service pension for the resumption service period must be calculated to apply the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of the resumption service. No firefighter may be paid a service pension twice for the same period of service. If a lump-sum service pension had not been paid to the firefighter upon the firefighter's previous cessation of duties and the firefighter meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, a service pension must be calculated to apply the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of service credit.

(d) A firefighter who had not been paid a lump-sum service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a), who does not qualify for a service pension under paragraph (b), but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's previous years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension calculated for the previous years of service based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service, or, if the bylaws so provide, based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's previous cessation of duties.

(e) If a firefighter receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active monthly benefit relief association membership under paragraph (a), any monthly benefit service pension payable to the firefighter is suspended as of the first day of the month next following the date on which the firefighter returns to active membership. If the firefighter was receiving a monthly benefit service pension, and qualifies for a service pension under paragraph (b), the firefighter is entitled to an additional monthly benefit service pension upon a subsequent cessation of duties calculated based on the resumption service credit and the service pension accrual amount in effect on the date of the termination of the resumption service. The suspended initial service pension resumes as of the first of the month next following the termination of the resumption service. If the firefighter was not receiving a monthly benefit service pension and meets the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, a service pension must be calculated to apply the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service for all years of service credit.

(f) A firefighter who was not receiving a monthly benefit service pension returns to active relief association membership under paragraph (a), who does not qualify for a service pension under paragraph (b), but who does meet the minimum service requirement of section 424A.02, subdivision 2, based on the firefighter's previous years of active service, must have, upon a subsequent cessation of duties, a service pension calculated for the previous years of service based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's termination of the resumption service, or, if the bylaws so provide, based on the service pension amount in effect on the date of the firefighter's previous cessation of duties.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 22. [424A.015] GENERALLY APPLICABLE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION PENSION PLAN REGULATION.

Subdivision 1. Separation from active service; exception. (a) No service pension is payable to a person while the person remains an active member of the respective fire department, and a person who is receiving a service pension is not entitled to receive any other benefits from the special fund of the relief association.

(b) No relief association as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, may pay a service pension or disability benefit to a former member of the relief association if that person has not separated from active service with the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, unless:

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(1) the person is employed subsequent to retirement by the municipality or the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, whichever applies, to perform duties within the municipal fire department or corporation on a full‑time basis;

(2) the governing body of the municipality or of the corporation has filed its determination with the board of trustees of the relief association that the person's experience with and service to the fire department in that person's full-time capacity would be difficult to replace; and

(3) the bylaws of the relief association were amended to provide for the payment of a service pension or disability benefit for such full-time employees.

Subd. 2. No assignment or garnishment. A service pension or ancillary benefits paid or payable from the special fund of a relief association to any person receiving or entitled to receive a service pension or ancillary benefits is not subject to garnishment, judgment, execution, or other legal process, except as provided in section 518.58, 518.581, or 518A.53. No person entitled to a service pension or ancillary benefits from the special fund of a relief association may assign any service pension or ancillary benefit payments, and the association does not have the authority to recognize any assignment or pay over any sum which has been assigned.

Subd. 3. Purchase of annuity contract. A relief association that provides a service pension in a single payment, if the governing articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may purchase an annuity contract on behalf of a retiring member in an amount equal to the service pension otherwise payable at the request of the person and in place of a direct payment to the person. The annuity contract must be purchased from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in this state.

Subd. 4. Transfer to individual retirement account. A relief association that is a qualified pension plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and that provides a single payment service pension, at the written request of the applicable retiring member or, following the death of the active member, at the written request of the deceased member's surviving spouse, may directly transfer on an institution-to-institution basis the eligible member's lump-sum pension or the death or survivor benefit attributable to the member, whichever applies, to the requesting person's individual retirement account under section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 23. [424A.016] DEFINED CONTRIBUTION VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION SPECIFIC REGULATION.

Subdivision 1. Defined contribution relief association authorization. If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws governing the volunteer firefighters' relief association so provide exclusively, the relief association may pay a defined contribution lump-sum service pension instead of a defined benefit service pension governed by section 424A.02.

Subd. 2. Defined contribution service pension eligibility. (a) A relief association, when its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may pay out of the assets of its special fund a defined contribution service pension to each of its members who:

(1) separates from active service with the fire department;

(2) reaches age 50;

(3) completes at least five years of active service as an active member of the municipal fire department to which the relief association is associated;

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(4) completes at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service; and

(5) complies with any additional conditions as to age, service, and membership that are prescribed by the bylaws of the relief association.

(b) In the case of a member who has completed at least five years of active service as an active member of the fire department to which the relief association is associated on the date that the relief association is established and incorporated, the requirement that the member complete at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service may be waived by the board of trustees of the relief association if the member completes at least five years of inactive membership with the relief association before the date of the payment of the service pension. During the period of inactive membership, the member is not entitled to receive any disability benefit coverage, is not entitled to receive additional individual account allocation of fire state aid or municipal contribution towards a service pension, and is considered to have the status of a person entitled to a deferred service pension.

(c) The service pension earned by a volunteer under this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the relief association may be paid whether or not the municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation to which the relief association is associated qualifies for the receipt of fire state aid under chapter 69.

Subd. 3. Reduced vesting schedule. If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a defined contribution relief association so provide, a relief association may pay a reduced service pension not to exceed the nonforfeitable percentage of the account balance to a retiring member who has completed fewer than 20 years of service. The reduced service pension may be paid when the retiring member meets the minimum age and service requirements of subdivision 2. The nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows:

Completed Years of Service Nonforfeitable Percentage of Pension Amount

5 40 percent

6 52 percent

7 64 percent

8 76 percent

9 88 percent

10 and thereafter 100 percent

Subd. 4. Individual accounts. (a) An individual account must be established for each firefighter who is a member of the relief association.

(b) To each individual active member account must be credited an equal share of:

(1) any amounts of fire state aid received by the relief association;

(2) any amounts of municipal contributions to the relief association raised from levies on real estate or from other available municipal revenue sources exclusive of fire state aid; and

(3) any amounts equal to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of:

(i) any former member who terminated active service with the fire department to which the relief association is associated before meeting the minimum service requirement provided for in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and has not returned to active service with the fire department for a period no shorter than five years; or

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(ii) any retired member who retired before obtaining a full nonforfeitable interest in the amounts credited to the individual member account under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association. In addition, any investment return on the assets of the special fund must be credited in proportion to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of each individual active member account. Administrative expenses of the relief association payable from the special fund may be deducted from individual accounts in a manner specified in the bylaws of the relief association.

(c) Amounts to be credited to individual accounts must be allocated uniformly for all years of active service and allocations must be made for all years of service, except for caps on service credit if so provided in the bylaws of the relief association. The allocation method may utilize monthly proration for fractional years of service, as the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the relief association so provide. The bylaws or articles of incorporation may define a "month," but the definition must require a calendar month to have at least 16 days of active service. If the bylaws or articles of incorporation do not define a "month," a "month" is a completed calendar month of active service measured from the member's date of entry to the same date in the subsequent month.

(d) At the time of retirement under subdivision 2 and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association, a retiring member is entitled to that portion of the assets of the special fund to the credit of the member in the individual member account which is nonforfeitable under subdivision 3 and any applicable provision of the bylaws of the relief association based on the number of years of service to the credit of the retiring member.

(e) Annually, the secretary of the relief association shall certify the individual account allocations to the state auditor at the same time that the annual financial statement or financial report and audit of the relief association, whichever applies, is due under section 69.051.

Subd. 5. Service pension installment payments. A defined contribution relief association, if the governing bylaws so provide, may pay, at the option of the retiring member and in lieu of a single payment of a service pension, the service pension in installments. The election of installment payments is irrevocable and must be made by the retiring member in writing and filed with the secretary of the relief association no later than 30 days before the commencement of payment of the service pension. The amount of the installment payments must be the fractional portion of the remaining account balance equal to one divided by the number of remaining annual installment payments.

Subd. 6. Deferred service pensions. (a) A member of a relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the member:

(1) has completed the lesser of the minimum period of active service with the fire department specified in the bylaws or 20 years of active service with the fire department;

(2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and

(3) separates from active service and membership before reaching age 50 or the minimum age for retirement and commencement of a service pension specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50.

(b) The deferred service pension is payable when the former member reaches age 50, or the minimum age specified in the bylaws governing the relief association if that age is greater than age 50, and when the former member makes a valid written application.

(c) A defined contribution relief association may, if its governing bylaws so provide, credit interest or additional investment performance on the deferred lump-sum service pension during the period of deferral. If provided for in the bylaws, the interest must be paid:

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(1) at the investment performance rate actually earned on that portion of the assets if the deferred benefit amount is invested by the relief association in a separate account established and maintained by the relief association or if the deferred benefit amount is invested in a separate investment vehicle held by the relief association; or

(2) the investment return on the assets of the special fund of the defined contribution volunteer firefighter relief association in proportion to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of each individual deferred member account through the date on which the investment return is recognized by and credited to the special fund.

(d) The deferred service pension is governed by and must be calculated under the general statute, special law, relief association articles of incorporation, and relief association bylaw provisions applicable on the date on which the member separated from active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association.

Subd. 7. Limitation on ancillary benefits. (a) A defined contribution relief association may only pay an ancillary benefit which would constitute an authorized disbursement as specified in section 424A.05. The ancillary benefit for active members must equal the vested or nonvested amount of the individual account of the member.

(b) For deferred members, the ancillary benefit must equal the vested amount of the individual account of the member. For the recipient of installment payments of a service pension, the ancillary benefit must equal the remaining balance in the individual account of the recipient.

Subd. 8. Filing of bylaw amendments. Each relief association to which this section applies must file a revised copy of its governing bylaws with the state auditor upon the adoption of any amendment to its governing bylaws by the relief association. Failure of the relief association to file a copy of the bylaws or any bylaw amendments with the state auditor disqualifies the municipality from the distribution of any future fire state aid until this filing requirement has been completed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Authorization. (a) A defined benefit relief association, when its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide, may pay out of the assets of its special fund a defined benefit service pension to each of its members who: (1) separates from active service with the fire department; (2) reaches age 50; (3) completes at least five years of active service as an active member of the municipal fire department to which the relief association is associated; (4) completes at least five years of active membership with the relief association before separation from active service; and (5) complies with any additional conditions as to age, service, and membership that are prescribed by the bylaws of the relief association. A service pension computed under this section may be prorated monthly for fractional years of service~~, if~~ as the bylaws or articles of incorporation of the relief association so provide. The bylaws or articles of incorporation may define a "month," but the definition must require a calendar month to have at least 16 days of active service. If the bylaws or articles of incorporation do not define a "month," a "month" is a completed calendar month of active service measured from the member's date of entry to the same date in the subsequent month. The service pension earned by a volunteer firefighter under this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the volunteer firefighters' relief association may be paid whether or not the municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation to which the relief association is associated qualifies for the receipt of fire state aid under chapter 69.

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payment of the service pension. During the period of inactive membership, the member is not entitled to receive disability benefit coverage, is not entitled to receive additional service credit towards computation of a service pension, and is considered to have the status of a person entitled to a deferred service pension under subdivision 7.

(c) No municipality or nonprofit firefighting corporation may delegate the power to take final action in setting a service pension or ancillary benefit amount or level to the board of trustees of the relief association or to approve in advance a service pension or ancillary benefit amount or level equal to the maximum amount or level that this chapter would allow rather than a specific dollar amount or level.

(d) No relief association as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 4, may pay a defined benefit service pension or disability benefit to a former member of the relief association if that person has not separated from active service with the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, unless:

(3) the bylaws of the relief association were amended to provide for the payment of a service pension or disability benefit for such full-time employees.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Nonforfeitable portion of service pension. (a) If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a defined benefit relief association so provide, a the relief association may pay a reduced service pension to a retiring member who has completed fewer than 20 years of service. The reduced service pension may be paid when the retiring member meets the minimum age and service requirements of subdivision 1.

(b) The amount of the reduced service pension may not exceed the amount calculated by multiplying the service pension appropriate for the completed years of service as specified in the bylaws ~~times~~ multiplied by the applicable nonforfeitable percentage of pension.

(c) For a defined benefit volunteer firefighter relief association that pays a lump-sum service pension, a monthly benefit service pension, or a lump-sum service pension or a monthly benefit service pension as alternative benefit forms, the nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows:

Completed Years of Service Nonforfeitable Percentage

of Pension Amount

5 40 percent

6 44 percent

7 48 percent

8 52 percent

9 56 percent

10 60 percent

11 64 percent

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12 68 percent

13 72 percent

14 76 percent

15 80 percent

16 84 percent

17 88 percent

18 92 percent

19 96 percent

20 and thereafter 100 percent

~~(d) For a volunteer firefighter relief association that pays a defined contribution service pension, the nonforfeitable percentage of pension amounts are as follows:~~

~~Completed Years of Service~~ ~~Nonforfeitable Percentage~~

~~of Pension Amount~~

5 ~~40 percent~~

6 ~~52 percent~~

7 ~~64 percent~~

8 ~~76 percent~~

9 ~~88 percent~~

~~10 and thereafter~~ ~~100 percent~~

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Flexible service pension maximums. (a) Annually on or before August 1 as part of the certification of the financial requirements and minimum municipal obligation determined under section 69.772, subdivision 4, or 69.773, subdivision 5, as applicable, the secretary or some other official of the relief association designated in the bylaws of each defined benefit relief association shall calculate and certify to the governing body of the applicable qualified municipality the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter for the most recent three-year period. The amount of available financing ~~shall include~~ includes any amounts of fire state aid received or receivable by the relief association, any amounts of municipal contributions to the relief association raised from levies on real estate or from other available revenue sources exclusive of fire state aid, and one-tenth of the amount of assets in excess of the accrued liabilities of the relief association calculated under section 69.772, subdivision 2; 69.773, subdivisions 2 and 4; or 69.774, subdivision 2, if any.

(b) The maximum service pension which the defined benefit relief association has authority to provide for in its bylaws for payment to a member retiring after the calculation date when the minimum age and service requirements specified in subdivision 1 are met must be determined using the table in paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies.

(c) For a defined benefit relief association where the governing bylaws provide for a monthly service pension to a retiring member, the maximum monthly service pension amount per month for each year of service credited that may be provided for in the bylaws is the greater of the service pension amount provided for in the bylaws on the date of the calculation of the average amount of the available financing per active covered firefighter or the maximum service pension figure corresponding to the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter:

Minimum Average Amount Maximum Service Pension

of Available Amount Payable per

Financing per Firefighter Month for Each Year of Service

$ ... $ .25

41 .50

81 1.00

122 1.50

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5574

162 2.00

203 2.50

243 3.00

284 3.50

324 4.00

365 4.50

405 5.00

486 6.00

567 7.00

648 8.00

729 9.00

810 10.00

891 11.00

972 12.00

1053 13.00

1134 14.00

1215 15.00

1296 16.00

1377 17.00

1458 18.00

1539 19.00

1620 20.00

1701 21.00

1782 22.00

1823 22.50

1863 23.00

1944 24.00

2025 25.00

2106 26.00

2187 27.00

2268 28.00

2349 29.00

2430 30.00

2511 31.00

2592 32.00

2673 33.00

2754 34.00

2834 35.00

2916 36.00

2997 37.00

3078 38.00

3159 39.00

3240 40.00

3321 41.00

3402 42.00

3483 43.00

3564 44.00

3645 45.00

3726 46.00

3807 47.00

3888 48.00

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5575

3969 49.00

4050 50.00

4131 51.00

4212 52.00

4293 53.00

4374 54.00

4455 55.00

4536 56.00

Effective beginning December 31, 2008

4617 57.00

4698 58.00

4779 59.00

4860 60.00

4941 61.00

5022 62.00

5103 63.00

5184 64.00

5265 65.00

Effective beginning December 31, 2009

5346 66.00

5427 67.00

5508 68.00

5589 69.00

5670 70.00

5751 71.00

5832 72.00

5913 73.00

5994 74.00

Effective beginning December 31, 2010

6075 75.00

6156 76.00

6237 77.00

6318 78.00

6399 79.00

6480 80.00

6561 81.00

6642 82.00

6723 83.00

Effective beginning December 31, 2011

6804 84.00

6885 85.00

6966 86.00

7047 87.00

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5576

7128 88.00

7209 89.00

7290 90.00

7371 91.00

7452 92.00

Effective beginning December 31, 2012

7533 93.00

7614 94.00

7695 95.00

7776 96.00

7857 97.00

7938 98.00

8019 99.00

8100 100.00

any amount in excess of 8100 100.00

(d) For a defined benefit relief association in which the governing bylaws provide for a lump-sum service pension to a retiring member, the maximum lump-sum service pension amount for each year of service credited that may be provided for in the bylaws is the greater of the service pension amount provided for in the bylaws on the date of the calculation of the average amount of the available financing per active covered firefighter or the maximum service pension figure corresponding to the average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter for the applicable specified period:

Minimum Average Amount Maximum Lump-Sum

of Available Financing Service Pension Amount

per Firefighter Payable for Each Year of Service

$ ... $ 10

11 20

16 30

23 40

27 50

32 60

43 80

54 100

65 120

77 140

86 160

97 180

108 200

131 240

151 280

173 320

194 360

216 400

239 440

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5577

259 480

281 520

302 560

324 600

347 640

367 680

389 720

410 760

432 800

486 900

540 1000

594 1100

648 1200

702 1300

756 1400

810 1500

864 1600

918 1700

972 1800

1026 1900

1080 2000

1134 2100

1188 2200

1242 2300

1296 2400

1350 2500

1404 2600

1458 2700

1512 2800

1566 2900

1620 3000

1672 3100

1726 3200

1753 3250

1780 3300

1820 3375

1834 3400

1888 3500

1942 3600

1996 3700

2023 3750

2050 3800

2104 3900

2158 4000

2212 4100

2265 4200

2319 4300

2373 4400

2427 4500

2481 4600

2535 4700

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5578

2589 4800

2643 4900

2697 5000

2751 5100

2805 5200

2859 5300

2913 5400

2967 5500

3021 5600

3075 5700

3129 5800

3183 5900

3237 6000

3291 6100

3345 6200

3399 6300

3453 6400

3507 6500

3561 6600

3615 6700

3669 6800

3723 6900

3777 7000

3831 7100

3885 7200

3939 7300

3993 7400

4047 7500

Effective beginning December 31, 2008

4101 7600

4155 7700

4209 7800

4263 7900

4317 8000

4371 8100

4425 8200

4479 8300

Effective beginning December 31, 2009

4533 8400

4587 8500

4641 8600

4695 8700

4749 8800

4803 8900

4857 9000

4911 9100

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5579

Effective beginning December 31, 2010

4965 9200

5019 9300

5073 9400

5127 9500

5181 9600

5235 9700

5289 9800

5343 9900

5397 10,000

any amount in excess of 5397 10,000

(e) For a defined benefit relief association in which the governing bylaws provide for a monthly benefit service pension as an alternative form of service pension payment to a lump-sum service pension, the maximum service pension amount for each pension payment type must be determined using the applicable table contained in this subdivision.

(f) If a defined benefit relief association establishes a service pension in compliance with the applicable maximum contained in paragraph (c) or (d) and the minimum average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter is subsequently reduced because of a reduction in fire state aid or because of an increase in the number of active firefighters, the relief association may continue to provide the prior service pension amount specified in its bylaws, but may not increase the service pension amount until the minimum average amount of available financing per firefighter under the table in paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies, permits.

(g) No defined benefit relief association is authorized to provide a service pension in an amount greater than the largest applicable flexible service pension maximum amount even if the amount of available financing per firefighter is greater than the financing amount associated with the largest applicable flexible service pension maximum.

(h) The method of calculating service pensions must be applied uniformly for all years of active service. Credit must be given for all years of active service except for caps on service credit if so provided in the bylaws of the relief association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Penalty for paying pension greater than applicable maximum. (a) If a defined benefit relief association pays a service pension greater than the maximum service pension associated with the applicable average amount of available financing per active covered firefighter under the table in subdivision 3, paragraph (c) or (d), whichever applies, the maximum service pension under subdivision 3, paragraph (f), or the applicable maximum service pension amount specified in subdivision 3, paragraph (g), whichever is less, the state auditor shall:

(1) disqualify the municipality or the nonprofit firefighting corporation associated with the relief association from receiving fire state aid by making the appropriate notification to the municipality and the commissioner of revenue, with the disqualification applicable for the next apportionment and payment of fire state aid; and

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(2) order the treasurer of the applicable relief association to recover the amount of the overpaid service pension or pensions from any retired firefighter who received an overpayment.

(b) Fire state aid amounts from disqualified municipalities for the period of disqualifications under paragraph (a), clause (1), must be credited to the amount of fire insurance premium tax proceeds available for the next subsequent fire state aid apportionment.

(c) The amount of any overpaid service pension recovered under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be credited to the amount of fire insurance premium tax proceeds available for the next subsequent fire state aid apportionment.

(d) The determination of the state auditor that a relief association has paid a service pension greater than the applicable maximum must be made on the basis of the information filed by the relief association and the municipality with the state auditor under sections 69.011, subdivision 2, and 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, whichever applies, and any other relevant information that comes to the attention of the state auditor. The determination of the state auditor is final. An aggrieved municipality, relief association, or person may appeal the determination under section 480A.06.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Deferred service pensions. (a) A member of a defined benefit relief association is entitled to a deferred service pension if the member:

(1) has completed the lesser of either the minimum period of active service with the fire department specified in the bylaws or 20 years of active service with the fire department;

(2) has completed at least five years of active membership in the relief association; and

(c) A defined benefit relief association that provides a lump-sum service pension governed by subdivision 3 may, when its governing bylaws so provide, pay interest on the deferred lump-sum service pension during the period of deferral. If provided for in the bylaws, interest must be paid in one of the following manners:

(2) at an interest rate of up to five percent, compounded annually, as set by the board of directors and approved as provided in subdivision 10.

(d) Interest under paragraph (c), clause (2), is payable following the date on which the municipality has approved the deferred service pension interest rate established by the board of trustees.

~~Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5581~~

(e) A relief association that provides a defined contribution service pension may, if its governing bylaws so provide, credit interest or additional investment performance on the deferred lump-sum service pension during the period of deferral. If provided for in the bylaws, the interest must be paid in one of the manners specified in paragraph (c) or alternatively the relief association may credit any investment return on the assets of the special fund of the defined contribution volunteer firefighter relief association in proportion to the share of the assets of the special fund to the credit of each individual deferred member account through the date on which the investment return is recognized by and credited to the special fund.

~~(f)~~ (e) For a deferred service pension that is transferred to a separate account established and maintained by the relief association or separate investment vehicle held by the relief association, the deferred member bears the full investment risk subsequent to transfer and in calculating the accrued liability of the volunteer firefighters relief association that pays a lump-sum service pension, the accrued liability for deferred service pensions is equal to the separate relief association account balance or the fair market value of the separate investment vehicle held by the relief association.

~~(g)~~ (f) The deferred service pension is governed by and must be calculated under the general statute, special law, relief association articles of incorporation, and relief association bylaw provisions applicable on the date on which the member separated from active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Lump-sum service pensions; installment payments. (a) ~~Any~~ A defined benefit relief association, if the governing bylaws so provide, may pay, at the option of the ~~retiring member~~ intended recipient and in lieu of a single payment of a lump-sum service pension or survivor benefit, a lump-sum service pension or survivor benefit in installments.

(b) The election of installment payments ~~shall be~~ is irrevocable and ~~shall~~ must be made by the ~~retiring member~~ intended recipient in writing and filed with the secretary of the relief association no later than 30 days ~~prior to~~ before the commencement of payment of the service pension or survivor benefit. The amount of the installment payments ~~shall~~ must be determined so that the present value of the aggregate installment payments computed at an interest rate of five percent, compounded annually, is equal to the amount of the single lump-sum payment which would have been made had the installment payments option not been elected. The payment of each installment shall include interest at the rate of five percent, compounded annually on the reserve supporting the remaining installment payments as of the date on which the previous installment payment was paid and computed from the date on which the previous installment payment was paid to the date of payment for the current installment payment in any reasonable manner provided for in the governing bylaws, but the total amount of installment payments may not exceed the single payment service pension amount plus interest at an annual rate of five percent on the amount of delayed payments for the period during which payment was delayed.

(c) To the extent that the commissioner of commerce deems it to be necessary or practical, the commissioner may specify and issue procedures, forms or mathematical tables for use in performing the calculations required pursuant to this subdivision.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Limitation on ancillary benefits. ~~Any~~ A defined benefit relief association, including any volunteer firefighters relief association governed by section 69.77 or any volunteer firefighters division of a relief association governed by chapter 424, may only pay ancillary benefits which would constitute an authorized disbursement as specified in section 424A.05 subject to the following requirements or limitations:

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(1) with respect to a defined benefit relief association in which governing bylaws provide for a lump-sum service pension to a retiring member, no ancillary benefit may be paid to any former member or paid to any person on behalf of any former member after the former member (i) terminates active service with the fire department and active membership in the relief association; and (ii) commences receipt of a service pension as authorized under this section; and

(2) with respect to any defined benefit relief association, no ancillary benefit paid or payable to any member, to any former member, or to any person on behalf of any member or former member, may exceed in amount the total earned service pension of the member or former member. The total earned service pension must be calculated by multiplying the service pension amount specified in the bylaws of the relief association at the time of death or disability, whichever applies, by the years of service credited to the member or former member. The years of service must be determined as of (i) the date the member or former member became entitled to the ancillary benefit; or (ii) the date the member or former member died entitling a survivor or the estate of the member or former member to an ancillary benefit. The ancillary benefit must be calculated without regard to whether the member had attained the minimum amount of service and membership credit specified in the governing bylaws. For active members, the amount of a permanent disability benefit or a survivor benefit must be equal to the member's total earned service pension except that the bylaws of ~~any~~ a defined benefit relief association may provide for the payment of a survivor benefit in an amount not to exceed five times the yearly service pension amount specified in the bylaws on behalf of any member who dies before having performed five years of active service in the fire department with which the relief association is affiliated.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9a, is amended to read:

Subd. 9a. Postretirement increases. Notwithstanding any provision of general or special law to the contrary, a defined benefit relief association paying a monthly service pension may provide a postretirement increase to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients of the relief association if (1) the relief association adopts an appropriate bylaw amendment; and (2) the bylaw amendment is approved by the municipality pursuant to subdivision 10 and section 69.773, subdivision 6. The postretirement increase ~~shall be~~ is applicable only to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients receiving a service pension or ancillary benefit as of the effective date of the bylaw amendment. The authority to provide a postretirement increase to retired members and ancillary benefit recipients of a relief association contained in this subdivision ~~shall supersede~~ supersedes any prior special law authorization relating to the provision of postretirement increases.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9b, is amended to read:

Subd. 9b. Repayment of service pension in certain instances. If a retired volunteer firefighter does not permanently separate from active firefighting service as required by subdivision 1 and section 424A.001, subdivision 9, by resuming active service as a firefighter in the same volunteer fire department or as a person in charge of firefighters in the same volunteer fire department, no additional service pension amount is payable to the person, no additional service is creditable to the person, and the person ~~shall~~ must repay to the defined benefit relief association any previously received service pension.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10. Local approval of bylaw amendments; filing requirements. (a) Each defined benefit relief association to which this section applies ~~shall~~ must file a revised copy of its governing bylaws with the state auditor upon the adoption of any amendment to its governing bylaws by the relief association or upon the approval of any

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5583

amendment to its governing bylaws granted by the governing body of each municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated. Failure of the relief association to file a copy of the bylaws or any bylaw amendments with the state auditor ~~shall disqualify~~ disqualifies the municipality from the distribution of any future fire state aid until this filing requirement has been completed.

(b) If the special fund of the relief association does not have a surplus over full funding ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.772, subdivision 3, clause (2), subclause (e), or 69.773, subdivision 4, and if the municipality is required to provide financial support to the special fund of the relief association ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.772 or 69.773, no bylaw amendment which would affect the amount of, the manner of payment of, or the conditions for qualification for service pensions or ancillary benefits or disbursements other than administrative expenses authorized ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.80 payable from the special fund of the relief association ~~shall be~~ is effective until it has been ratified by the governing body or bodies of the appropriate municipalities. If the municipality is not required to provide financial support to the special fund ~~pursuant to~~ under this section, the relief association may adopt or amend without municipal ratification its articles of incorporation or bylaws which increase or otherwise affect the service pensions or ancillary benefits payable from the special fund so long as the changes do not cause the amount of the resulting increase in the accrued liability of the special fund to exceed 90 percent of the amount of the ~~prior~~ surplus over full funding reported in the prior year and the changes do not result in the financial requirements of the special fund exceeding the expected amount of the ~~future~~ subsequent calendar year's fire state aid to be received by the relief association.

(c) If the relief association pays only a lump-sum pension, the financial requirements are to be determined by the board of trustees following the preparation of an estimate of the expected increase in the accrued liability and annual accruing liability of the relief association attributable to the change. If the relief association pays a monthly benefit service pension, the financial requirements are to be determined by the board of trustees following either an updated actuarial valuation including the proposed change or an estimate of the expected actuarial impact of the proposed change prepared by the actuary of the relief association. If a relief association adopts or amends its articles of incorporation or bylaws without municipal ratification ~~pursuant to~~ under this subdivision, and, subsequent to the amendment or adoption, the financial requirements of the special fund ~~pursuant to~~ under this section are such so as to require financial support from the municipality, the provision which was implemented without municipal ratification ~~shall~~ is no longer be effective without municipal ratification, and any service pensions or ancillary benefits payable after that date ~~shall~~ must be paid only in accordance with the articles of incorporation or bylaws as amended or adopted with municipal ratification.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12. Transfer of service credit to new district. Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision 1 or any other law, a member of a fire department which is disbanded upon formation of a fire district to serve substantially the same geographic area, who serves as an active firefighter with the new district fire department, and is a member of the district firefighters' defined benefit relief association ~~shall be~~ is entitled to a nonforfeitable service pension from the new relief association upon completion of a combined total of 20 years active service in the disbanded and the new departments. The amount of the service pension ~~shall be~~ is based upon years of service in the new department only, and ~~shall~~ must be in an amount equal to the accrued liability for the appropriate years of service calculated in accordance with section 69.772, subdivision 2.

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13. Combined service pensions. (a) If the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the defined benefit relief associations so provide, a volunteer firefighter with credit for service as an active firefighter in more than one defined benefit volunteer firefighters relief association is entitled, when the applicable requirements of paragraph (b) are met and when otherwise qualified, to a prorated service credit from each relief association.

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(b) A volunteer firefighter receiving a prorated service pension under this subdivision must have a total amount of service credit of ten years or more, if the bylaws of every affected relief association ~~does~~ do not ~~require~~ specify only a five-year service vesting requirement, or five years or more, if the bylaws of every affected relief association ~~requires~~ require only a five-year service vesting requirement, as a member of two or more relief associations otherwise qualified. The member must have one year or more of service credit in each relief association. The prorated service pension must be based on the service pension amount in effect for the relief association on the date on which active volunteer firefighting services covered by that relief association terminate. To receive a service pension under this subdivision, the firefighter must become a member of the second or succeeding association and must give notice of membership to the prior association within two years of the date of termination of active service with the prior association. The notice must be attested to by the second or subsequent relief association secretary.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.021, is amended to read:

424A.021 CREDIT FOR BREAK IN SERVICE TO PROVIDE UNIFORMED SERVICE.

Subdivision 1. Authorization. Subject to restrictions stated in this section, a volunteer firefighter who is absent from firefighting service due to service in the uniformed services, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 4303(13), may obtain service credit if the relief association is a defined benefit plan or an allocation ~~of any fire state aid, any municipal contributions, and any investment return received~~ by the relief association as though the person was an active member if the relief association is a defined contribution plan for the period of the uniformed service, not to exceed five years, unless a longer period is required under United States Code, title 38, section 4312.

Subd. 2. Limitations. (a) To be eligible for service credit or an ~~investment return~~ allocation as though an active member under this section, the volunteer firefighter must return to firefighting service with coverage by the same relief association or by the successor to that relief association upon discharge from service in the uniformed service within the time frame required in United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e).

(b) Service credit or an ~~investment return~~ allocation as though an active member is not authorized if the firefighter separates from uniformed service with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or under other than honorable conditions.

(c) Service credit or an ~~investment return~~ allocation as though an active member is not authorized if the firefighter fails to provide notice to the fire department that the individual is leaving to provide service in the uniformed service, unless it is not feasible to provide that notice due to the emergency nature of the situation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.03, is amended to read:

424A.03 UNIFORMITY OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SERVICE PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

Subdivision 1. Limitation on nonuniformity of pensions. Every partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association ~~shall~~ must provide service pensions to volunteer firefighter members based on the years of service of the members not on the compensation paid to the members for firefighting services. Each relief association ~~shall~~ must provide service pensions to salaried members as set forth in chapter 424 and applicable special laws.

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Subd. 2. Penalties for violations. ~~Any~~ A municipality which has a fire department ~~to which~~ associated with a relief association which violates the provisions of subdivision 1 is directly associated or which contracts with an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation ~~of which~~ associated with a relief association which violates the provisions of subdivision 1 is a subsidiary ~~shall~~ may not be included in the apportionment of fire state aid ~~by the commissioner of commerce~~ to the applicable county auditor ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.021, subdivision 6, and ~~shall~~ may not be included in the apportionment of fire state aid by the county auditor to the various municipalities ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.021, subdivision 7.

Subd. 3. Exception to application of limitation and penalty. The limitation provided for in subdivision 1 ~~shall~~ does not apply to any relief association which ~~prior to~~ before January 1, 1957, had established a definite service pension formula for members of the partially salaried and partially volunteer firefighters' relief association who are regularly employed firefighters.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.04, is amended to read:

424A.04 VOLUNTEER RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) A relief association that is directly associated with a municipal fire department must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of nine members. Six trustees must be elected from the membership of the relief association and three trustees must be drawn from the officials of the municipalities served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated. The bylaws of a relief association which provides a monthly benefit service pension may provide that one of the six trustees elected from the relief association membership may be a retired member receiving a monthly pension who is elected by the membership of the relief association. The three municipal trustees must be one elected municipal official and one elected or appointed municipal official who are designated as municipal representatives by the municipal governing board annually and the chief of the municipal fire department.

(b) A relief association that is a subsidiary of an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of nine members. Six trustees must be elected from the membership of the relief association, two trustees must be drawn from the officials of the municipalities served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, and one trustee ~~shall~~ must be the fire chief serving with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation. The bylaws of a relief association may provide that one of the six trustees elected from the relief association membership may be a retired member receiving a monthly pension who is elected by the membership of the relief association. The two municipal trustees must be elected or appointed municipal officials, selected as follows:

(1) if only one municipality contracts with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, the municipal trustees must be two officials of the contracting municipality who are designated annually by the governing body of the municipality; or

(2) if two or more municipalities contract with the independent nonprofit corporation, the municipal trustees must be one official from each of the two largest municipalities in population who are designated annually by the governing bodies of the applicable municipalities.

(c) The municipal trustees for a relief association that is directly associated with a fire department operated as or by a joint powers entity must be the fire chief of the fire department and two trustees designated annually by the joint powers board. The municipal trustees for a relief association that is directly associated with a fire department service area township must be the fire chief of the fire department and two trustees designated by the township board.

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(d) If a relief association lacks the municipal board members provided for in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) because the fire department is not located in or associated with an organized municipality, joint powers entity, or township, the municipal board members must be the fire chief of the fire department and two board members appointed from the fire department service area by the board of commissioners of the applicable county.

(e) The term of ~~these~~ the appointed municipal board members is one year or until the person's successor is qualified, whichever is later.

(f) A municipal trustee under paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) has all the rights and duties accorded to any other trustee, except the right to be an officer of the relief association board of trustees.

(g) A board must have at least three officers, who are a president, a secretary and a treasurer. These officers must be elected from among the elected trustees by either the full board of trustees or by the relief association membership, as specified in the bylaws. In no event may any trustee hold more than one officer position at any one time. The terms of the elected trustees and of the officers of the board must be specified in the bylaws of the relief association, but may not exceed three years. If the term of the elected trustees exceeds one year, the election of the various trustees elected from the membership must be staggered on as equal a basis as is practicable.

Subd. 2. Fiduciary duty. The board of trustees of a relief association shall undertake their activities consistent with chapter 356A.

Subd. 2a. Fiduciary responsibility. In the discharge of their respective duties, the officers and trustees shall be held to the standard of care specified in section 11A.09. In addition, the trustees shall act in accordance with chapter 356A. Each member of the board is a fiduciary and shall undertake all fiduciary activities in accordance with the standard of care of section 11A.09, and in a manner consistent with chapter 356A. No fiduciary of a relief association shall cause a relief association to engage in a transaction if the fiduciary knows or should know that the transaction constitutes one of the following direct or indirect transactions:

(1) sale or exchange or leasing of any real property between the relief association and a board member;

(2) lending of money or other extension of credit between the relief association and a board member or member of the relief association;

(3) furnishing of goods, services, or facilities between the relief association and a board member; or

(4) transfer to a board member, or use by or for the benefit of a board member, of any assets of the relief association. A transfer of assets does not mean the payment of relief association benefits or administrative expenses permitted by law.

Subd. 3. Conditions on relief association consultants. (a) If a volunteer firefighter relief association ~~hires~~ employs or contracts with a consultant to provide legal or financial advice, the secretary of the relief association shall obtain and the consultant shall provide to the secretary of the relief association a copy of the consultant's certificate of insurance.

(b) A consultant is any person who is employed under contract to provide legal or financial advice and who is or who represents to the volunteer firefighter relief association that the person is:

(1) an actuary;

(2) a licensed public accountant or a certified public accountant;

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(3) an attorney;

(4) an investment advisor or manager, or an investment counselor;

(5) an investment advisor or manager selection consultant;

(6) a pension benefit design advisor or consultant; or

(7) any other financial consultant.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Establishment of special fund. Every volunteer firefighters' relief association shall establish and maintain a special fund within the relief association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Special fund assets and revenues. The special fund ~~shall~~ must be credited with all fire state aid moneys received ~~pursuant to~~ under sections 69.011 to 69.051, all taxes levied by or other revenues received from the municipality ~~pursuant to~~ under sections 69.771 to 69.776 or any applicable special law requiring municipal support for the relief association, any moneys or property donated, given, granted or devised by any person which is specified for use for the support of the special fund and any interest or investment return earned upon the assets of the special fund. The treasurer of the relief association ~~shall be~~ is the custodian of the assets of the special fund and ~~shall~~ must be the recipient on behalf of the special fund of all revenues payable to the special fund. The treasurer shall maintain adequate records documenting any transaction involving the assets or the revenues of the special fund. These records and the bylaws of the relief association ~~shall be~~ are public and ~~shall~~ must be open for inspection by any member of the relief association, any officer or employee of the state or of the municipality, or any member of the public, at reasonable times and places.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Authorized disbursements from the special fund. (a) Disbursements from the special fund ~~are~~ may not ~~permitted to~~ be made for any purpose other than one of the following:

(1) for the payment of service pensions to retired members of the relief association if authorized and paid under law and the bylaws governing the relief association;

(2) for the payment of temporary or permanent disability benefits to disabled members of the relief association if authorized and paid ~~pursuant to~~ under law and specified in amount in the bylaws governing the relief association;

(3) for the payment of survivor benefits to surviving spouses and surviving children, or if none, to designated beneficiaries, of deceased members of the relief association, and if no survivors and if no designated beneficiary, for the payment of a death benefit to the estate of the deceased active or deferred firefighter, if authorized by and paid ~~pursuant to~~ under law and specified in amount in the bylaws governing the relief association;

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(4) for the payment of the fees, dues and assessments to the Minnesota State Fire Department Association, and to the Minnesota Area Relief Association Coalition~~, and to the state Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Association~~ in order to entitle relief association members to membership in and the benefits of these associations or organizations; ~~and~~

(5) for the payment of insurance premiums to the state Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Association, or an insurance company licensed by the state of Minnesota offering casualty insurance, in order to entitle relief association members to membership in and the benefits of the association or organization; and

~~(5)~~ (6) for the payment of administrative expenses of the relief association as authorized under section 69.80.

(b) For purposes of this chapter, for a monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association or for a combination lump-sum and monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association where a monthly benefit service pension has been elected by or a monthly benefit is payable with respect to a firefighter, a designated beneficiary must be a natural person. For purposes of this chapter, for a defined contribution volunteer fire relief association, for a lump-sum volunteer fire relief association, or for a combination lump-sum and monthly benefit volunteer fire relief association where a lump-sum service pension has been elected by or a lump-sum benefit is payable with respect to a firefighter, a designated beneficiary may be a trust created under chapter 501B.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.05, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Investments of assets of the special fund. The assets of the special fund ~~shall~~ must be invested only in securities authorized by section 69.775.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.06, is amended to read:

424A.06 RELIEF ASSOCIATION GENERAL FUND.

Subdivision 1. Establishment of general fund. ~~Any~~ A volunteer firefighters' relief association may establish and maintain a general fund within the relief association.

Subd. 2. General fund assets and revenues. To the general fund, if established, ~~shall~~ must be credited all moneys received from dues, fines, initiation fees, entertainment revenues and any moneys or property donated, given, granted or devised by any person, for unspecified uses. The treasurer of the relief association ~~shall be~~ is the custodian of the assets of the general fund and ~~shall~~ must be the recipient on behalf of the general fund of all revenues payable to the general fund. The treasurer shall maintain adequate records documenting any transaction involving the assets or the revenues of the general fund. These records ~~shall~~ must be open for inspection by any member of the relief association at reasonable times and places.

Subd. 3. Authorized disbursements from the general fund. Disbursements from the general fund may be made for any purpose that is authorized by either the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the relief association.

Subd. 4. Investment of assets of the general fund. The assets of the general fund may be invested in any securities that are authorized by the bylaws of the relief association and may be certified for investment by the State Board of Investment in fixed income pools or in a separately managed account at the discretion of the State Board of Investment as provided in section 11A.14.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

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Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.07, is amended to read:

424A.07 NONPROFIT FIREFIGHTING CORPORATIONS; ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS.

~~Prior to~~ Before paying any service pensions or retirement benefits ~~pursuant to~~ under section 424A.02 or before becoming entitled to receive any amounts of fire state aid upon transmittal from a contracting municipality ~~pursuant to~~ under section 69.031, subdivision 5, a nonprofit firefighting corporation shall establish a volunteer firefighters' relief association governed by this chapter.

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.08, is amended to read:

424A.08 MUNICIPALITY WITHOUT RELIEF ASSOCIATION; AUTHORIZED DISBURSEMENTS.

(a) Any qualified municipality which is entitled to receive fire state aid but which has no volunteer firefighters' relief association directly associated with its fire department and which has no full-time firefighters with retirement coverage by the public employees police and fire retirement plan shall deposit the fire state aid in a special account established for that purpose in the municipal treasury. Disbursement from the special account ~~shall~~ may not be made for any purpose except:

(1) payment of the fees, dues and assessments to the Minnesota State Fire Department Association and to the state Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Association in order to entitle its firefighters to membership in and the benefits of these state associations;

(2) payment of the cost of purchasing and maintaining needed equipment for the fire department; and

(3) payment of the cost ~~for~~ of construction, acquisition, repair ~~and~~, or maintenance of buildings or other premises to house the equipment of the fire department.

(b) A qualified municipality which is entitled to receive fire state aid, which has no volunteer firefighters' relief association directly associated with its fire department and which has full-time firefighters with retirement coverage by the public employees police and fire retirement plan may disburse the fire state aid as provided in paragraph (a), for the payment of the employer contribution requirement with respect to firefighters covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan under section 353.65, subdivision 3, or for a combination of the two types of disbursements.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) "qualified recipient" means an individual who receives a lump-sum distribution of pension or retirement benefits from a volunteer firefighters' relief association for service that the individual has performed as a volunteer firefighter;

(2) "survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter" means the ~~legally married~~ surviving spouse of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter under section 424A.001, subdivision 6, or, if none, the surviving ~~minor~~ child or ~~minor~~ children of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter;

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(3) "active volunteer firefighter" means a person who regularly renders fire suppression service for a municipal fire department or an independent nonprofit firefighting corporation, who has met the statutory and other requirements for relief association membership, and who ~~has been~~ is deemed by the relief association under law and its bylaws to be a fully qualified member of the relief association for at least one month; and

(4) "deferred volunteer firefighter" means a former active volunteer firefighter who terminated active firefighting service, has sufficient service credit from the applicable relief association to be entitled to a service pension under the bylaws of the relief association, but has not applied for or has not received the service pension.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Payment of supplemental benefit. (a) Upon the payment by a volunteer firefighters' relief association of a lump-sum distribution to a qualified recipient, the association must pay a supplemental benefit to the qualified recipient. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the relief association must pay the supplemental benefit out of its special fund. ~~The amount of~~ This benefit ~~equals~~ is an amount equal to ten percent of the regular lump-sum distribution that is paid on the basis of the recipient's service as a volunteer firefighter. In no case may the amount of the supplemental benefit exceed $1,000. A supplemental benefit under this paragraph may not be paid to a survivor of a deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter in that capacity.

(b) Upon the payment by a relief association of a lump-sum survivor benefit ~~or funeral benefit~~ to a survivor of a deceased active volunteer firefighter or of a deceased deferred volunteer firefighter, the association may pay a supplemental survivor benefit to the survivor of the deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighter from the special fund of the relief association if its articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide. The amount of the supplemental survivor benefit is 20 percent of the survivor benefit ~~or funeral~~ ~~benefit~~, but not to exceed $2,000.

(c) An individual may receive a supplemental benefit under paragraph (a) or under paragraph (b), but not under both paragraphs with respect to one lump-sum volunteer firefighter benefit.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. State reimbursement. (a) Each year, to be eligible for state reimbursement of the amount of supplemental benefits paid under subdivision 2 during the preceding calendar year, the volunteer firefighters' relief association ~~must~~ shall apply to the commissioner of revenue by February 15. By March 15, the commissioner shall reimburse the relief association for the amount of the supplemental benefits paid by the relief association to qualified recipients and to survivors of deceased active or deferred volunteer firefighters.

(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of and supporting information that must be supplied as part of the application for state reimbursement. The commissioner of revenue shall reimburse the relief association by paying the reimbursement amount to the treasurer of the municipality where the association is located. Within 30 days after receipt, the municipal treasurer shall transmit the state reimbursement to the treasurer of the association if the association has filed a financial report with the municipality. If the relief association has not filed a financial report with the municipality, the municipal treasurer shall delay transmission of the reimbursement payment to the association until the complete financial report is filed. If the association has dissolved or has been removed as a trustee of state aid, the treasurer shall deposit the money in a special account in the municipal treasury, and the money may be disbursed only for the purposes and in the manner provided in section 424A.08. When paid to the association, the reimbursement payment must be deposited in the special fund of the relief association.

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EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. In lieu of income tax exclusion. (a) The supplemental benefit provided by this section is in lieu of the state income tax exclusion for lump-sum distributions of retirement benefits paid to volunteer firefighters.

(b) If the law is modified to exclude or exempt volunteer firefighters' lump-sum distributions from state income taxation, the supplemental benefits under this section ~~may~~ are no longer ~~be paid~~ payable, beginning with the first calendar year in which the exclusion or exemption is effective. This subdivision does not apply to exemption of all or part of a lump-sum distribution under section 290.032 or 290.0802.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Retroactive reimbursement in certain instances. A supplemental survivor ~~or funeral~~ benefit may be paid by a relief association for the death of an active volunteer firefighter or of a deferred volunteer firefighter that occurred on or after August 1, 2005, if the relief association articles of incorporation or bylaws so provide for a supplemental survivor benefit and provide for retroactivity.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1a. Applicability. This section applies when all of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined benefit relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1b.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1b. Benefits. (a) The successor relief association following the consolidation of two or more defined benefit relief associations must be a defined benefit relief association.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of section 424A.02, subdivision 3, to the contrary, the initial service pension amount of the subsequent defined benefit relief association as of the effective date of consolidation is either the service pension amount specified in clause (1) or the service pension amounts specified in clause (2), as provided for in the consolidated relief association's articles of incorporation or bylaws:

(1) the highest dollar amount service pension amount of any prior volunteer firefighters relief association in effect immediately before the consolidation initiation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02; or

(2) for service rendered by each individual volunteer firefighter before consolidation, the service pension amount under the consolidating volunteer firefighters relief association that the firefighter belonged to immediately before the consolidation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02 and for service rendered after the effective date of the consolidation, the highest dollar amount service pension of any of the consolidating volunteer firefighters relief associations in effect immediately before the consolidation if the pension amount was implemented consistent with section 424A.02.

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(c) Any increase in the service pension amount beyond the amount implemented under paragraph (a) must conform with the requirements and limitations of sections 69.771 to 69.775 and section 424A.02.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Funding. (a) Unless the applicable municipalities agree in writing to allocate the minimum municipal obligation in a different manner, the minimum municipal obligation under section 69.772 or 69.773, whichever applies, must be allocated between the applicable municipalities in proportion to their fire state aid.

(b) If any applicable municipality fails to meet its portion of the minimum municipal obligation to the subsequent relief association, all other applicable municipalities are jointly obligated to provide the required funding upon certification by the relief association secretary. An applicable municipality that pays the minimum municipal obligation amount for another applicable municipality, the municipality may collect ~~the~~ that payment amount, plus a 25 percent surcharge, from the responsible applicable municipality by any available means, including a deduction from any state aid or payment amount payable to the responsible municipality upon certification of the necessary information to the commissioner of finance.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 54. [424B.11] CONSOLIDATING DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS; FUNDING.

Subdivision 1. Applicability. This section applies when all of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined contribution relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1c.

Subd. 2. Individual accounts. The successor relief association following the consolidation of two or more defined contribution relief associations must be a defined contribution relief association and the successor relief association board shall establish individual accounts for every active member, inactive member, deferred member, or retired member receiving installment payments with that status as of the consolidation date. To each individual account the successor relief association must credit the amount to the credit of each person by a predecessor relief association as of the date of consolidation plus a proportional share, based on account value, of any subsequent net revenue during the consolidation process.

Subd. 3. Funding. Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the successor relief association specify that municipal contributions are wholly voluntary or unless the municipalities associated with the consolidating defined contribution relief associations agree in writing to a different municipal support arrangement, each municipality must continue to provide the same amount of municipal support to the successor relief association as the municipality provided to the applicable predecessor relief association in the calendar year immediately prior to the calendar year in which the consolidation occurs.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 55. [424B.12] MIXED CONSOLIDATING RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS; BENEFIT PLAN; FUNDING.

Subdivision 1. Applicability. This section applies where one or more of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined benefit relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1b, and one or more of the volunteer firefighters' relief associations involved in the consolidation are defined contribution relief associations as defined in section 424A.001, subdivision 1c.

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Subd. 2. Benefit plan. The articles of incorporation or bylaws of the successor relief association must specify whether the relief association is a defined benefit relief association or whether the relief association is a defined contribution relief association. If the successor relief association is a defined benefit relief association, the relief association benefits must comply with sections 424A.02 and 424B.11, subdivision 1a. If the successor relief association is a defined contribution relief association, the relief association must comply with sections 424A.016 and 424B.12, subdivision 2.

Subd. 3. Funding. If the successor relief association is a defined benefit relief association, the relief association funding is governed by section 424B.11, subdivision 2. If the successor relief association is a defined contribution relief association, the relief association funding is governed by section 424B.12, subdivision 3.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424B.21, is amended to read:

424B.21 ANNUITY PURCHASES UPON DISSOLUTION.

The board of trustees of a volunteer firefighters relief association that is scheduled for dissolution may purchase annuity contracts under section ~~424A.02~~ 424A.015, subdivision 8a 3, instead of transferring special fund assets to a municipal trust fund under section 424B.20, subdivision 4. Payment of an annuity for which a contract is purchased may not commence before the retirement age specified in the relief association bylaws and in compliance with section 424A.016, subdivision 2, or 424A.02, subdivision 1. Legal title to the annuity contract transfers to the municipal trust fund under section 424B.20, subdivision 4.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2009, if article 1 is also enacted.

Sec. 57. BRIMSON FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCIATION; BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERSHIP.

Notwithstanding any provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 424A.04, or other law to the contrary, the Brimson Firefighters Relief Association must be managed by a board of trustees consisting of ten members, with six trustees elected from the membership of the relief association, one trustee drawn from the officials of each municipality served by the fire department to which the relief association is directly associated, and one trustee who is the fire chief serving with the independent nonprofit firefighting corporation.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the governing body of the Fairbanks Township and its chief clerical officer timely comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

Sec. 58. REPEALER.

Subdivision 1. Repealed for recodification. Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 424A.001, subdivision 7; 424A.02, subdivisions 4, 6, 8a, and 8b; and 424B.10, subdivision 1, are repealed.

Subd. 2. Repealed as obsolete. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.09, is repealed.

Subd. 3. Substantive repeal. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 424A.02, subdivision 9b, is repealed.

ARTICLE 12

CORRECTION OF PRIOR DRAFTING ERRORS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 354.66, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

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Subd. 6. Insurance. A board of an employing district entering into an agreement authorized by this section shall take all steps necessary to assure continuance of any insurance programs furnished or authorized a full-time teacher on an identical basis and with identical sharing of costs for a part-time teacher pursuant to this section, provided, however, that the requirements of this sentence may be modified by a collective bargaining agreement between a board and an exclusive representative pursuant to chapter ~~179~~ 179A. Teachers as defined in section 136F.43 employed on a less than 75 percent time basis pursuant to this section shall be eligible for state paid insurance benefits as if the teachers were employed full time.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 356.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Covered retirement plans. The provisions of this section apply to the following retirement plans:

(1) the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established under chapter 352;

(2) the correctional state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, established under chapter 352;

(3) the State Patrol retirement plan, established under chapter 352B;

(4) the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353;

(5) the public employees police and fire plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, established under chapter 353;

(6) the Teachers Retirement Association, established under chapter 354;

(7) the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund, established under chapter 422A;

(8) the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A; and

~~(9) the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A; and~~

~~(10)~~ (9) the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, established under chapter 354A.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 422A.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Retirement benefit fund. (a) The retirement benefit fund consists of amounts held for payment of retirement allowances for members retired under this chapter, including any transfer amount payable under subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(b) Unless subdivision 3, paragraph (c), applies, assets equal to the required reserves for retirement allowances under this chapter determined in accordance with the appropriate mortality table adopted by the board of trustees based on the experience of the fund as recommended by the actuary retained under section 356.214 must be transferred from the deposit accumulation fund to the retirement benefit fund as of the last business day of the month in which the retirement allowance begins. The income from investments of these assets must be allocated to this

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fund and any interest charge under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), must be credited to the fund. There must be paid from this fund the retirement annuities authorized by law. A required reserve calculation for the retirement benefit fund must be made by the actuary retained under section 356.214 and must be certified to the retirement board by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

(c) There is established a deferred yield adjustment account which must be increased by the sale or disposition of any debt securities at less than book value and must be decreased by the sale or disposition of debt securities at more than book value. At the end of each fiscal year, a portion of the balance of this account must be offset against the investment income for that year. The annual portion of the balance to be offset must be proportional to the reciprocal of the average remaining life of the bonds sold, unless the amounts are offset by gains on the future sales of these securities. The amount of this account must be included in the recognized value of assets other than corporate stocks and all other equity investments. In any fiscal year in which the gains on the sales of debt securities exceed the discounts realized on the sales of such securities, the excess must be used to reduce the balance of the account. If the realized capital gains are sufficient to reduce the balance of the account to zero, any excess gains must be available for the calculation of postretirement adjustments.

(d)(1) Annually, following June 30, the board shall use the procedures in clauses (2), (3), and (4), to determine whether a postretirement adjustment is payable and to determine the amount of any postretirement adjustment.

(2) If the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers all items index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor increases from June 30 of the preceding year to June 30 of the current year, the board shall certify the percentage increase. The amount certified must not exceed ~~the lesser of the difference between the preretirement interest assumption and postretirement interest assumption in section 356.215, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), or~~ 3.5 percent.

(3) In addition to any percentage increase certified under paragraph (b), the board shall use the following procedures to determine if a postretirement adjustment is payable under this paragraph:

(i) the board shall determine the market value of the fund on June 30 of that year;

(ii) the amount of reserves required as of the current June 30 for the annuity or benefit payable to an annuitant and benefit recipient must be determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214. An annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least 12 full months as of the current June 30 is eligible to receive a full postretirement adjustment. An annuitant or benefit recipient who has been receiving an annuity or benefit for at least one full month, but less than 12 full months as of the current June 30, is eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment. The amount of the reserves for those annuitants and benefit recipients who are eligible to receive a full postretirement benefit adjustment is known as "eligible reserves." The amount of the reserves for those annuitants and benefit recipients who are not eligible to receive a postretirement adjustment is known as "noneligible reserves." For an annuitant or benefit recipient who is eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment, additional "eligible reserves" is an amount that bears the same ratio to the total reserves required for the annuitant or benefit recipient as the number of full months of annuity or benefit receipt as of the current June 30 bears to 12 full months. The remainder of the annuitant's or benefit recipient's reserves are "noneligible reserves";

(iii) the board shall determine the percentage increase certified under clause (2) multiplied by the eligible required reserves, as adjusted for mortality gains and losses, determined under item (ii);

(iv) the board shall add the amount of reserves required for the annuities or benefits payable to annuitants and benefit recipients of the participating public pension plans or funds as of the current June 30 to the amount determined under item (iii);

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(v) the board shall subtract the amount determined under item (iv) from the market value of the fund determined under item (i);

(vi) the board shall adjust the amount determined under item (v) by the cumulative current balance determined under item (viii) and any negative balance carried forward under item (ix);

(vii) a positive amount resulting from the calculations in items (i) to (vi) is the excess market value. A negative amount is the negative balance;

(viii) the board shall allocate one-fifth of the excess market value or one-fifth of the negative balance to each of five consecutive years, beginning with the fiscal year ending the current June 30; and

(ix) to calculate the postretirement adjustment under this paragraph based on investment performance for a fiscal year, the board shall add together all excess market value allocated to that year and subtract from the sum all negative balances allocated to that year. If this calculation results in a negative number, the entire negative balance must be carried forward and allocated to the next year. If the resulting amount is positive, a postretirement adjustment is payable under this paragraph. The board shall express a positive amount as a percentage of the total eligible required reserves certified to the board under item (ii).

(4) The board shall determine the amount of any postretirement adjustment which is payable using the following procedure:

(i) the total "eligible" required reserves as of the first of January next following the end of the fiscal year for the annuitants and benefit recipients eligible to receive a full or partial postretirement adjustment as determined by item (ii) must be certified to the board by the actuary retained under section 356.214. The total "eligible" required reserves must be determined by the actuary retained under section 356.214 on the assumption that all annuitants and benefit recipients eligible to receive a full or partial postretirement adjustment will be alive on the January 1 in question; and

(ii) the board shall add the percentage certified under clause (2) to any positive percentage calculated under clause (3). The board shall not subtract from the percentage certified under paragraph (b) any negative amount calculated under clause (3). The sum of these percentages must be carried to five decimal places and must be certified as the full postretirement adjustment percentage.

(e) The board shall determine the amount of the postretirement adjustment payable to each eligible annuitant and benefit recipient. The dollar amount of the postretirement adjustment must be calculated by applying the certified postretirement adjustment percentage to the amount of the monthly annuity or benefit payable to each eligible annuitant or benefit recipient eligible for a full adjustment.

The dollar amount of the partial postretirement adjustment payable to each annuitant or benefit recipient eligible for a partial adjustment must be calculated by first determining a partial percentage amount that bears the same ratio to the certified full adjustment percentage amount as the number of full months of annuity or benefit receipt as of the current June 30 bears to 12 full months. The partial percentage amount determined must then be applied to the amount of the monthly annuity or benefit payable to each annuitant or benefit recipient eligible to receive a partial postretirement adjustment. The postretirement adjustments are payable on January 1 following the calculations required under this section and must thereafter be included in the monthly annuity or benefit paid to the recipient. Any adjustments under this section must be paid automatically unless the intended recipient files a written notice with the applicable participating public pension fund or plan requesting that the adjustment not be paid.

(f) As of June 30 annually, the actuary retained under section 356.214 shall calculate the amount of required reserves representing any mortality gains and any mortality losses incurred during the fiscal year and report the results of those calculations to the plan. The actuary shall report separately the amount of the reserves for annuitants and benefit recipients who are eligible for a postretirement benefit adjustment and the amount of reserves for

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annuitants and benefit recipients who are not eligible for a postretirement benefit adjustment. If the net amount of required reserves represents a mortality gain, the board shall sell sufficient securities or transfer sufficient available cash to equal the amount. If the amount of required reserves represents a mortality loss, the plan shall transfer an amount equal to the amount of the net mortality loss. The amount of the transfers must be determined before any postretirement benefit adjustments have been made. All transfers resulting from mortality adjustments must be completed annually by December 31 for the preceding June 30. Interest is payable on any transfers after December 31 based upon the preretirement interest assumption for the participating plan or fund as specified in section 356.215, subdivision 8, stated as a monthly rate. Book values of the assets of the fund must be determined only after all adjustments for mortality gains and losses for the fiscal year have been made.

(g) All money necessary to meet the requirements of the certification of withdrawals and all money necessary to pay postretirement adjustments under this section are hereby and from time to time appropriated from the postretirement investment fund to the board.

(h) Annually, following the calculation of any postretirement adjustment payable from the retirement benefit fund, the board of trustees shall submit a report to the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement and to the commissioner of finance indicating the amount of any postretirement adjustment and the underlying calculations on which that postretirement adjustment amount is based, including the amount of dividends, the amount of interest, and the amount of net realized capital gains or losses utilized in the calculations.

(i) With respect to a former contributing member who began receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit under section 422A.151, paragraph (a), clause (2), after June 30, 1997, or with respect to a survivor of a former contributing member who began receiving a survivor benefit under section 422A.151, paragraph (a), clause (2), after June 30, 1997, the reserves attributable to the one percent lower amount of the cost-of-living adjustment payable to those annuity or benefit recipients annually must be transferred back to the deposit accumulation fund to the credit of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The calculation of this annual reduced cost-of-living adjustment reserve transfer must be reviewed by the actuary retained under section 356.214.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from June 30, 2008.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 422A.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Service credit purchase. Any contributor who prior to entering the service of the city was an employee of a public corporation, is authorized, using the procedure in ~~subdivision 5a~~ section 356.551, to purchase allowable service credit in the retirement fund for employment by the public corporation in the same manner as though the service had been rendered to the city, providing that the individual has not received service credit and is not eligible to receive service credit for this period under any other plan or fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3. Before receiving credit for service rendered to a public corporation as herein set forth, the contributing employee shall make application therefor in writing to the retirement board, and shall contribute to the retirement fund the amount specified in ~~subdivision 5a~~ section 356.551.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 5. Laws 1989, chapter 319, article 11, section 13, is amended to read:

Sec. 13. REPEALER.

Laws 1967, chapter 815; Laws 1978, chapter 683; and Laws 1981, chapter 224, ~~sections 2 and 5~~ section 245, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies retroactively from June 2, 1989.

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Sec. 6. Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 14, section 13, is amended to read:

Sec. 13. REPEALER OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT SPECIAL VOLUNTEER FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION ANCILLARY BENEFIT LEGISLATION.

Subdivision 1. Anoka. Laws 1969, chapter ~~352~~ 252, section 1, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, and 6, are repealed.

Subd. 2. Butterfield. Laws 1975, chapter 185, section 1, is repealed.

Subd. 3. Coon Rapids. Laws 1973, chapter 304, section 1, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are repealed.

Subd. 4. Edina. (1) Laws 1965, chapter 592, section 3, as ~~amended~~ added by Laws 1969, chapter 644, section 2, and amended by Laws 1975, chapter 229, section 2; (2) Laws 1965, chapter 592, section 4, as ~~amended~~ added by Laws 1969, chapter 644, section 2, and amended by Laws 1975, chapter 229, section 3, Laws 1985, chapter 261, section 37, and Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1; (3) Laws 1985, chapter 261, section 37, as amended by Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1; and (4) Laws 1991, chapter 125, section 1, are repealed.

Subd. 5. Fairmont. Laws 1967, chapter 575, sections 2, as amended by Laws 1979, chapter 201, section 23; 3; and 4, are repealed.

Subd. 6. Falcon Heights. Laws 1969, chapter 526, sections 3; 4; 5, as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 208, section 2; and 7, as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 208, section 3, are repealed.

Subd. 7. Golden Valley. Laws 1971, chapter 140, sections 2, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 2; 3, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 3; 4, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 4; and 5, as amended by Laws 1973, chapter 30, section 5; and Laws 1993, chapter 244, article 4, section 1, are repealed.

Subd. 8. Wayzata. Laws 1973, chapter 472, section 1, as amended by Laws 1976, chapter 272, section 1, and Laws 1979, chapter 201, section 33, is repealed.

Subd. 9. White Bear Lake. Laws 1971, chapter 214, ~~section 1, subdivisions~~ sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL. (a) Subdivision 1 is effective the day after the governing body of Anoka and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(b) Subdivision 2 is effective the day after the governing body of Butterfield and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(c) Subdivision 3 is effective the day after the governing body of Coon Rapids and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(d) Subdivision 4 is effective the day after the governing body of Edina and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(e) Subdivision 5 is effective the day after the governing body of Fairmont and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

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(f) Subdivision 6 is effective the day after the governing body of Falcon Heights and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(g) Subdivision 7 is effective the day after the governing body of Golden Valley and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(h) Subdivision 8 is effective the day after the governing body of Wayzata and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

(i) Subdivision 9 is effective the day after the governing body of White Bear Lake and its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, after June 30, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 7. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 356.2165; and 422A.08, subdivision 5a, are repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

ARTICLE 13

ONE PERSON AND SMALL GROUP RETIREMENT PROVISIONS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Eligibility~~; retirement annuity~~. ~~A person who is employed by~~ This section applies to any employee of the Department of Transportation in the civil service employment classification of aircraft pilot or chief pilot, who is covered for that employment by the general employee retirement plan ~~of the system under section 352.01, subdivision 23~~, and who ~~elects this~~ elected before June 1, 2008, special retirement coverage under ~~subdivision 3, who is prohibited from performing the duties of aircraft pilot or chief pilot after reaching age 65 by a policy adopted by the commissioner of transportation, and~~ this section by an irrevocable election on forms provided by the executive director.

Subd. 2. Retirement annuity. An eligible person under subdivision 1 who terminates employment as a state employee on or after age 62 but prior to normal retirement age is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity computed under section 352.115, subdivisions 2 and 3, without any reduction for early retirement under section 352.116, subdivision 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a 3. Disability benefits. An employee described in subdivision 1, ~~who is less than 62 years of age and~~ who becomes disabled and physically or mentally unfit to perform occupational duties due to injury, sickness, or other disability, and who is found disqualified for retention as chief pilot or pilot as a result of a physical examination required by applicable federal laws or regulations, ~~is entitled upon application to disability benefits for a maximum of five years in the amount of~~ may submit an application for disability benefits calculated under section

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352.113, subdivision 3. In considering the disability benefit application, the executive director must use the disability standard specified in this subdivision rather than the total and permanent standard specified in section 352.113, subdivision 1. If disability benefits commence under section 352.113, subdivision 3, the appointing authority shall also provide payments from the state airports fund, totaling 75 percent of current monthly salary~~, to be paid by the appointing authority~~ less the amount payable under section 352.113, subdivision 3. Payments from the state airports fund must be made for five years or until normal retirement age, whichever is earlier. ~~Disability benefits must not continue after the employee reaches age 62.~~ These benefits are in lieu of all other state benefits for the disability, including, but not limited to, workers' compensation benefits.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2 4. Additional contributions. ~~The special retirement annuity authorized by subdivision 1 shall be financed by~~ An employee covered by this section must pay an additional employee contribution ~~from the covered aircraft pilot or chief pilot~~ of 1.6 percent ~~and an employer contribution from~~ of salary. The Department of Transportation must pay an additional employer contribution of of 1.6 percent of salary. These contributions are in addition to the contributions required by section 352.04, subdivisions 2 and 3. They must be made in the manner provided for in section 352.04, subdivisions 4, 5, and 6.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Public employee. "Public employee" means a governmental employee performing personal services for a governmental subdivision defined in subdivision 6, whose salary is paid, in whole or in part, from revenue derived from taxation, fees, assessments, or from other sources. The term includes the classes of persons described or listed in subdivision 2a. The term also includes persons who elect association membership under subdivision 2d, paragraph (a), and persons for whom the applicable governmental subdivision had elected association membership under subdivision 2d, paragraph (b). ~~The term also includes full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society.~~ The term excludes the classes of persons listed in subdivision 2b for purposes of membership in the association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a. Included employees. (a) Public employees whose salary from employment in one or more positions within one governmental subdivision exceeds $425 in any month shall participate as members of the association. If the salary is less than $425 in a subsequent month, the employee retains membership eligibility. Eligible public employees shall participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the public employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire retirement plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, whichever applies, as a condition of their employment on the first day of employment unless they:

(1) are specifically excluded under subdivision 2b;

(2) do not exercise their option to elect retirement coverage in the association as provided in subdivision 2d, paragraph (a); or

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(3) are employees of the governmental subdivisions listed in subdivision 2d, paragraph (b), where the governmental subdivision has not elected to participate as a governmental subdivision covered by the association.

(b) A public employee who was a member of the association on June 30, 2002, based on employment that qualified for membership coverage by the public employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E as of June 30, 2002, retains that membership for the duration of the person's employment in that position or incumbency in elected office. Except as provided in subdivision 28, the person shall participate as a member until the employee or elected official terminates public employment under subdivision 11a or terminates membership under subdivision 11b.

(1) physicians under section 353D.01, subdivision 2, who do not elect public employees defined contribution plan coverage under section 353D.02, subdivision 2.;

(2) full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society; and

(3) employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or Minneapolis Police Relief Association who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b due to coverage by the relief association pension plan and who elect Public Employee Retirement Association general plan coverage under section 5.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 353.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Governmental subdivision. (a) "Governmental subdivision" means a county, city, town, school district within this state, or a department, unit or instrumentality of state or local government, or any public body established under state or local authority that has a governmental purpose, is under public control, is responsible for the employment and payment of the salaries of employees of the entity, and receives a major portion of its revenues from taxation, fees, assessments or from other public sources.

(b) Governmental subdivision also means the Public Employees Retirement Association, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, charter schools formed under section 124D.10, service cooperatives exercising retirement plan participation under section 123A.21, subdivision 5, joint powers boards organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), family service collaboratives and children's mental health collaboratives organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (b) or (c), provided that the entities creating the collaboratives are governmental units that otherwise qualify for retirement plan membership, public hospitals owned or operated by, or an integral part of, a governmental subdivision or governmental subdivisions, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Minnesota Inter-county Association, the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the University of Minnesota with respect to police officers covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund for employment initially commenced after June 30, 1979, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, soil and water conservation districts, economic development authorities created or operating under sections 469.090 to 469.108, the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul, the Spring Lake Park Fire Department, incorporated, the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department, incorporated, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, the Dakota County Agricultural Society, ~~and~~ Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., and the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and Minneapolis Police Relief Association with respect to staff covered by the Public Employees Retirement Association general plan.

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(c) Governmental subdivision does not mean any municipal housing and redevelopment authority organized under the provisions of sections 469.001 to 469.047; or any port authority organized under sections 469.048 to 469.089 other than the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul; or any hospital district organized or reorganized prior to July 1, 1975, under sections 447.31 to 447.37 or the successor of the district; or the board of a family service collaborative or children's mental health collaborative organized under sections 124D.23, 245.491 to 245.495, or 471.59, if that board is not controlled by representatives of governmental units.

(d) A nonprofit corporation governed by chapter 317A or organized under Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), which is not covered by paragraph (a) or (b), is not a governmental subdivision unless the entity has obtained a written advisory opinion from the United States Department of Labor or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service declaring the entity to be an instrumentality of the state so as to provide that any future contributions by the entity on behalf of its employees are contributions to a governmental plan within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code, section 414(d).

(e) A public body created by state or local authority may request membership on behalf of its employees by providing sufficient evidence that it meets the requirements in paragraph (a).

(f) An entity determined to be a governmental subdivision is subject to the reporting requirements of this chapter upon receipt of a written notice of eligibility from the association.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 7. PRIOR PENSION PLAN TERMINATION.

As of the effective date of this section, contributions to the defined contribution or defined benefit pension plan or plans which previously provided primary pension coverage for any individual who elects coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employee Retirement Association under section 5 must terminate and must not be resumed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 8. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION; SERVICE CREDIT PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353, to the contrary, unless the period to be purchased is credited as allowable service by another retirement plan covered by Minnesota Statutes, section 356.30, or would be ineligible for credit as allowable service under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 16, if the service had been performed after the effective date of this section, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) may purchase allowable service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 16, from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for the period specified in paragraph (c), by making the payment required under paragraph (d).

(b) An eligible person is a person who began employment as staff to the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association prior to the effective date of this section, and due to that employment became a member of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association on the effective date of this section.

(c) The period of prior service credit available for purchase is the period of employment with the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association, whichever is applicable, which would be includable service under the Public Employees Retirement Association general plan if that service had been performed after the effective date rather than before.

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(d) Except as otherwise stated under this section, Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, applies to this purchase.

(e) An eligible person may purchase allowable service credit for a portion of the eligible period, resulting in prorated service credit.

(f) The election to purchase prior service credit under this section must be made in writing and must be filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(g) This section expires one year after the effective date of this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 9. ELECTION OF COVERAGE.

(a) An individual who is an employee of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or the Minneapolis Police Relief Association on the effective date of this section, and who is not excluded under section 353.01, subdivision 2b, due to coverage by the relief association pension plan, may elect prospective coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association under an election as specified in this section.

(b) An eligible individual under paragraph (a) may elect coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association by making an election on a form provided by the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director. For an election to be valid, it must be made within 90 days of the effective date of this section and is irrevocable.

(c) The Public Employees Retirement Association must provide eligible individuals with information and counseling regarding the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and the implications of electing that coverage.

(d) If an eligible individual elects not to be covered by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, or if no election is made, the prior coverage, if any, remains unchanged.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the first day of the first full payroll period commencing after final enactment.

Sec. 10. PERA-GENERAL; PURCHASE OF CREDIT FOR OMITTED CONTRIBUTION PERIOD.

(a) An eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled, upon written application filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, to purchase service credit for the period of omitted contributions specified in paragraph (c) by paying the amount determined under paragraph (d). The employer of the eligible person shall pay the amount determined under paragraph (e) within 30 days of being notified by the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director that the eligible person made the person's payment.

(b) An eligible person is a person who:

(1) was born on December 16, 1946;

(2) was first employed by the city of Elizabeth, Minnesota, municipal liquor store on July 23, 2004;

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(3) was first eligible for coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association in September 2004;

(4) was not reported as a general employees retirement plan member by the city of Elizabeth, Minnesota, to the Public Employees Retirement Association until January 2005; and

(5) did not receive service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 12, paragraph (e), in a timely fashion.

(c) The period of purchasable service credit is that portion of the period September 1, 2004, until January 1, 2005, during which the eligible person was an included employee under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, and during which the required deductions from the compensation of the eligible employee were not made under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 2.

(d) The member purchase amount is the amount of the omitted member contributions during the period of purchasable service credit, plus compound annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent from October 15, 2004, to the date on which payment is made.

(e) The employer purchase amount is either the balance of the full actuarial value purchase payment amount determined under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, remaining after subtracting the amount under paragraph (d) or the amount of the employer and employer additional contributions under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivisions 3 and 3a, plus compound annual interest at the rate of 8.5 percent from October 15, 2004, to the date on which payment is made, whichever is larger. If the employer fails to pay the employer purchase amount in a timely fashion, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall certify the unpaid amount, plus monthly compound interest at the rate of 0.71 percent for the period, to the commissioners of finance and revenue, who shall deduct the unpaid amount from any state aid or state transfers that the employing unit is eligible to receive and shall transmit the amount to the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(f) Purchase authority under this section expires on July 1, 2010.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 11. PERA-GENERAL AND TRA; ANNUITY APPLICATION REVOCATION.

(a) An eligible person specified in paragraph (b) may elect to revoke retirement annuity applications as provided in paragraph (c). The election must be made in writing and must be filed with the executive director of the applicable retirement plan.

(b) An eligible person is a person who:

(1) was born in 1943;

(2) was employed as publications editor for St. Cloud State University for twenty years, ending in 1998, and was covered by virtue of that employment by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System;

(3) retired from the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System in 2007;

(4) was employed by the Underwood, Minnesota, municipal liquor store in early 2008, terminated that employment on April 18, 2008, applied for a retirement annuity from the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and from the Teachers Retirement Association under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.30, in April or May 2008, and was subsequently reemployed by the municipal liquor store on or about May 20, 2008; and

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(5) was informed by the Public Employees Retirement Association of a retirement annuity overpayment of $349.65 on July 22, 2008.

(c) If elected, the eligible person may revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, or revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from the Teachers Retirement Association, or revoke the person's application for a retirement annuity from both retirement plans. If a retirement application is revoked, the person's retirement annuity ends, the entitlement of the person to a future retirement annuity is restored, and that future retirement annuity amount must be adjusted by subtracting the total value of the retirement annuity amounts received from that retirement plan from the actuarial present value of the eligible person's future annuity without adjustment, calculated based on the mortality table for retired lives of the applicable retirement plan and 8.5 percent interest rate assumption, and determining the adjusted annuity amount from the remaining actuarial present value amount using the same interest and mortality assumption.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 12. MSRS-GENERAL AND PERA-GENERAL; PLAN MEMBERSHIP EXCLUSION AND DEFERRED ANNUITY AUGMENTATION.

(a) A qualified person described in paragraph (b) may, upon written application filed with the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association, elect retroactive exclusion from coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association for any period of teacher assistant service for Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, and qualification for deferred annuities augmentation for the retroactively excluded period.

(b) A qualified person is a person who:

(1) was born on January 17, 1951;

(2) was employed by Ramsey County from January 20, 1975, to June 22, 1999;

(3) was employed by the state of Minnesota from June 22, 1999, to April 4, 2006; and

(4) was employed by Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, as a teacher assistant following terminating state employment from December 13, 2007, to June 6, 2008.

(c) If the retroactive exclusion is elected, all member and employer contributions to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association made with respect to Independent School District No. 623, Roseville, teacher assistant employment must be refunded with interest under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivision 7, and the qualified person is entitled, if otherwise eligible, for deferred annuities augmentation from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and from the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for the period of retroactive exclusion.

(d) Authority to make the election under this section expires September 1, 2009.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 13. MSRS-GENERAL; EXCEPTION TO DISABILITY BENEFIT APPLICATION DEADLINE.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, section 352.113, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), to the contrary, an eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled to file a disability benefit application with the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System and, if otherwise qualified under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.113, receive a disability benefit from the retirement plan.

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(b) An eligible person is a person who:

(1) was born on March 8, 1966;

(2) was an employee of the Minnesota Veterans Home at Silver Bay, Minnesota;

(3) terminated state employment on July 25, 2007;

(4) attempted to apply for a disability benefit in February 2008;

(5) had a request to apply for a disability benefit denied by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System on April 3, 2008;

(6) appealed the executive director's decision to the Minnesota State Retirement System board of directors on April 24, 2008; and

(7) had the appeal to the Minnesota State Retirement System board of directors denied on August 4, 2008.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 14. MSRS-GENERAL; ALLOWABLE SERVICE CREDIT REVISION FOR JOB-SHARE EMPLOYEES.

(a) An eligible person as described in paragraph (b) is entitled to have any partial month allowable service credit in the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System for part-time employment as a job-share employee revised to be identical to allowable service credit for part-time state employment under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.01, subdivision 11, that was not rendered as a job-share employee.

(b) An eligible person:

(1) is an active member of the general state employees retirement plan or a retired member of the general state employees retirement plan;

(2) was employed in the demonstration job-sharing project under Laws 1980, chapter 572, or in the job-sharing program under Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 43A.41 to 43A.46;

(3) was employed in the demonstration job-sharing project or in the job-sharing program for one-half of full time; and

(4) received partial month allowable service credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 352.01, subdivision 11.

(c) To have allowable service credit revised under this section, an eligible person shall provide the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System any relevant documentation that the executive director requests.

(d) If the eligible person is a retired member of the general state employees retirement plan, the person's retirement annuity must be recomputed based on the revised service credit under this section and the recomputed retirement annuity is payable on the first day of the month next following the effective date of this section.

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(e) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to authorize the crediting of more than one year of allowable service during any 12-month period or to authorize the payment of any retroactive recomputed retirement annuity amounts.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 15. HENNEPIN COUNTY EMPLOYEE WAIVER OF SERVICE REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY.

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 353.33, subdivision 1, an eligible person specified in paragraph (b) is authorized to submit an application for disability benefits from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(b) An eligible person is a person who:

(1) was born May 6, 1972;

(2) was employed by Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin, from September 11, 1995, to August 6, 1996;

(3) was employed by Hennepin County from July 31, 2000, to December 30, 2004;

(4) was again employed by Hennepin County starting April 2, 2007, with the most recent employment position being a principal child support officer;

(5) has service credit with the Public Employees Retirement Association due to the employment under clauses (2), (3), and (4); and

(6) has had several leaves from Hennepin County employment of a medical-related nature.

(c) If an eligible person under paragraph (b) files a valid application, the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall determine whether that eligible person qualifies to receive a disability benefit under the laws and procedures applicable to the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(d) This section expires one year after the effective date of this section.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 16. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 352.86, subdivision 3, is repealed.

ARTICLE 14

PENSION COMMISSION

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3.85, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Membership. The commission consists of ~~five~~ seven members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration and ~~five~~ seven members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker. No more than five members from each chamber may be from the majority caucus in that chamber. Members shall be appointed at the commencement of each regular session of the

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legislature for a two-year term beginning January 16 of the first year of the regular session. Members continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Vacancies that occur while the legislature is in session shall be filled like regular appointments. If the legislature is not in session, senate vacancies shall be filled by the last Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and Administration or other appointing authority designated by the senate rules, and house of representatives vacancies shall be filled by the last speaker of the house, or if the speaker is not available, by the last chair of the house of representatives Rules Committee.

Sec. 2. COMMISSION STUDY; PENSION FUND CONSOLIDATION ASSISTANCE FUND.

(a) The Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement shall study the policy advantages and disadvantages of creating a state pension relief fund and, if deemed sufficiently advantageous, shall recommend in the form of draft proposed legislation the details of a state pension relief fund.

(b) The state pension relief fund is intended to be an account in the state treasury to which ongoing appropriations would be made or a revenue source would be dedicated and could provide financial support to offset some or all of the costs of smaller public retirement plans to consolidate, subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353A, as applicable, into one of the three largest statewide public retirement plans.

(c) The commission shall consider provisions for relief funds established in other states, the potential revenue sources for a state pension relief fund, the appropriate fund administration, the appropriate investment vehicle or vehicles for the fund, the eligibility criteria for determining when fund assets could be disbursed to assist in plan funding and the amount of any fund disbursements, the appropriate level of ongoing funding that is required with respect to a consolidating retirement plan, and the extent of state and local responsibility for local retirement plan funding deficiencies.

(d) The commission shall file the results of this study on or before February 15, 2010, with the chair and the ranking minority member of the State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology, and Elections Committee of the house of representatives, the chair and ranking minority member of the Finance Committee of the house of representatives, the chair and ranking minority member of the State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Committee of the senate, and the chair and ranking minority member of the Finance Committee of the senate.

(e) Nothing in this section alters the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353A."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to retirement; various retirement plans; making various statutory changes needed to accommodate the dissolution of the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund; redefining the value of pension plan assets for actuarial reporting purposes; revising various disability benefit provisions of the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, and the State Patrol retirement plan; making various administrative provision changes; establishing a voluntary statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement Association; revising various volunteer firefighters' relief association provisions; correcting 2008 drafting errors related to the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund and other drafting errors; granting special retirement benefit authority in certain cases; revising the special transportation pilots retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System; expanding the membership of the state correctional employees retirement plan; adjusting reallocation of amortization state aid; extending the amortization target date for the Fairmont Police Relief Association; modifying the number of board of trustees members of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association; increasing state education aid to offset teacher retirement plan employer contribution increases; increasing teacher retirement plan member and employer contributions; revising the normal retirement age and providing prospective benefit accrual rate increases for teacher retirement plans; permitting the Brimson Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association to implement a different board

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5609

of trustees composition; permitting employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and the Minneapolis Police Relief Association to become members of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; creating a two-year demonstration postretirement adjustment mechanism for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association; creating a temporary postretirement option program for employees covered by the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; setting a statute of limitations for erroneous receipts of the general employee retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; permitting the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System board to create an early separation incentive program; permitting certain Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty members to make a second chance retirement coverage election upon achieving tenure; including the Weiner Memorial Medical Center, Inc., in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; increasing pension commission membership; extending the approval deadline date for the inclusion of the Clearwater County Hospital in the Public Employees Retirement Association privatization law; requiring a report; requiring a study; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 3.85, subdivision 3; 3A.02, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 3A.03, by adding a subdivision; 3A.04, by adding a subdivision; 3A.115; 11A.08, subdivision 1; 11A.17, subdivisions 1, 2; 11A.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 43A.34, subdivision 4; 43A.346, subdivisions 2, 6; 69.011, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 69.021, subdivisions 7, 9; 69.031, subdivisions 1, 5; 69.77, subdivision 4; 69.771, subdivision 3; 69.772, subdivisions 4, 6; 69.773, subdivision 6; 127A.50, subdivision 1; 299A.465, subdivision 1; 352.01, subdivision 2b, by adding subdivisions; 352.021, by adding a subdivision; 352.04, subdivisions 1, 12; 352.061; 352.113, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 352.115, by adding a subdivision; 352.12, by adding a subdivision; 352.75, subdivisions 3, 4; 352.86, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2; 352.91, subdivision 3d; 352.911, subdivisions 3, 5; 352.93, by adding a subdivision; 352.931, by adding a subdivision; 352.95, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 352B.02, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1c, 1d; 352B.08, by adding a subdivision; 352B.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; 352B.11, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 352C.10; 352D.06, subdivision 1; 352D.065, by adding a subdivision; 352D.075, by adding a subdivision; 353.01, subdivisions 2, 2a, 6, 11b, 16, 16b; 353.0161, subdivision 1; 353.03, subdivision 3a; 353.06; 353.27, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 7, 7b; 353.29, by adding a subdivision; 353.31, subdivision 1b, by adding a subdivision; 353.33, subdivisions 1, 3b, 7, 11, 12, by adding subdivisions; 353.65, subdivisions 2, 3; 353.651, by adding a subdivision; 353.656, subdivision 5a, by adding a subdivision; 353.657, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 353.665, subdivision 3; 353A.02, subdivisions 14, 23; 353A.05, subdivisions 1, 2; 353A.08, subdivisions 1, 3, 6a; 353A.081, subdivision 2; 353A.09, subdivision 1; 353A.10, subdivisions 2, 3; 353E.01, subdivisions 3, 5; 353E.04, by adding a subdivision; 353E.06, by adding a subdivision; 353E.07, by adding a subdivision; 353F.02, subdivision 4; 354.05, subdivision 38, by adding a subdivision; 354.07, subdivision 4; 354.33, subdivision 5; 354.35, by adding a subdivision; 354.42, subdivisions 1a, 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 354.44, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, by adding a subdivision; 354.46, by adding a subdivision; 354.47, subdivision 1; 354.48, subdivisions 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 354.49, subdivision 2; 354.52, subdivisions 2a, 4b; 354.55, subdivisions 11, 13; 354.66, subdivision 6; 354.70, subdivisions 5, 6; 354A.011, subdivision 15a; 354A.096; 354A.12, subdivisions 1, 2a, by adding subdivisions; 354A.29, subdivision 3; 354A.31, subdivisions 4, 4a, 7; 354A.36, subdivision 6; 354B.21, subdivision 2; 356.20, subdivision 2; 356.215, subdivisions 1, 11; 356.219, subdivision 3; 356.315, by adding a subdivision; 356.32, subdivision 2; 356.351, subdivision 2; 356.401, subdivisions 2, 3; 356.465, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 356.611, subdivisions 3, 4; 356.635, subdivisions 6, 7; 356.96, subdivisions 1, 5; 422A.06, subdivision 8; 422A.08, subdivision 5; 423A.02, subdivisions 1, 3; 423C.03, subdivision 1; 424A.001, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 424A.01; 424A.02, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 7, 8, 9, 9a, 9b, 10, 12, 13; 424A.021; 424A.03; 424A.04; 424A.05, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 424A.06; 424A.07; 424A.08; 424A.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 424B.10, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 424B.21; 490.123, subdivisions 1, 3; 490.124, by adding a subdivision; Laws 1989, chapter 319, article 11, section 13; Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 5, section 5, as amended; Laws 2008, chapter 349, article 14, section 13; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 136F; 352B; 353; 354; 356; 420; 424A; 424B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 11A.041; 11A.18; 11A.181; 352.119, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 352.86, subdivision 3; 352B.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3b, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11; 352B.26, subdivisions 1, 3; 353.271; 353A.02, subdivision 20; 353A.09, subdivisions 2, 3; 354.05, subdivision 26; 354.06, subdivision 6; 354.55, subdivision 14; 354.63; 354A.29, subdivisions 2, 4, 5;

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356.2165; 356.41; 356.431, subdivision 2; 422A.01, subdivision 13; 422A.06, subdivision 4; 422A.08, subdivision 5a; 424A.001, subdivision 7; 424A.02, subdivisions 4, 6, 8a, 8b, 9b; 424A.09; 424B.10, subdivision 1; 490.123, subdivisions 1c, 1e."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 796, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; authorizing the sale of Minnesota First bonds; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16A.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 1, line 9, delete "zero coupon form and in"

Page 1, line 15, delete "$500" and insert "$1,000"

Page 1, line 17, delete "For purposes of this section" and insert "If a zero coupon bond is sold"

Page 2, delete subdivision 5

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 1053, A bill for an act relating to elections; requiring certain public officials to provide additional data to the secretary of state for use in maintaining the voter registration system; providing for automatic voter registration of applicants for a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card; changing certain notice requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 201.121, subdivision 2; 201.13, by adding a subdivision; 201.14; 201.15, subdivisions 1, 2; 201.155; 201.161; 204C.08, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 201.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 2, line 11, delete ", and, if available, the"

Page 2, line 12, delete "last four digits of the individual's Social Security number"

Page 2, line 28, delete ", and the last four digits of the"

Page 2, line 29, delete "individual's Social Security number"

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5611

Page 3, line 13, delete ", and the last four"

Page 3, line 14, delete "digits of the individual's Social Security number"

Page 3, line 27, delete "and, if available, the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number,"

Page 4, line 10, delete ", and the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number"

Page 6, line 30, delete "table"

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 1219, A bill for an act relating to state employees; requiring that health insurance benefits be made available to domestic partners of state employees if they are also made available to spouses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 43A.02, by adding a subdivision; 43A.24, subdivision 1.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 2, after line 5, insert:

"Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 and 2 are effective January 1, 2012."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 1708, A bill for an act relating to human services; amending mental health provisions; changing medical assistance reimbursement and eligibility; changing provider qualification and training requirements; amending mental health behavioral aide services; adding an excluded service; changing special contracts with bordering states; requiring a new rate setting methodology; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 148C.11, subdivision 1; 245.4885, subdivision 1; 245.50, subdivision 5; 256B.0615, subdivisions 1, 3; 256B.0622, subdivision 8; 256B.0623, subdivision 5; 256B.0624, subdivision 8; 256B.0625, subdivision 49; 256B.0943, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9; 256B.0944, subdivision 5.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 148C.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Other professionals. (a) Nothing in this chapter prevents members of other professions or occupations from performing functions for which they are qualified or licensed. This exception includes, but is not limited to: licensed physicians; registered nurses; licensed practical nurses; licensed psychological practitioners; members of the clergy; American Indian medicine men and women; licensed attorneys; probation officers; licensed marriage and family therapists; licensed social workers; social workers employed by city, county, or state agencies; licensed professional counselors; licensed school counselors; registered occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants; city, county, or state employees when providing assessments or case management under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9530; and ~~until July 1, 2009,~~ individuals providing integrated dual-diagnosis treatment in adult mental health rehabilitative programs certified by the Department of Human Services under section 256B.0622 or 256B.0623.

(b) Nothing in this chapter prohibits technicians and resident managers in programs licensed by the Department of Human Services from discharging their duties as provided in Minnesota Rules, chapter 9530.

(c) Any person who is exempt under this subdivision but who elects to obtain a license under this chapter is subject to this chapter to the same extent as other licensees. The board shall issue a license without examination to an applicant who is licensed or registered in a profession identified in paragraph (a) if the applicant:

(1) shows evidence of current licensure or registration; and

(2) has submitted to the board a plan for supervision during the first 2,000 hours of professional practice or has submitted proof of supervised professional practice that is acceptable to the board.

(d) Any person who is exempt from licensure under this section must not use a title incorporating the words "alcohol and drug counselor" or "licensed alcohol and drug counselor" or otherwise hold themselves out to the public by any title or description stating or implying that they are engaged in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling, or that they are licensed to engage in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling unless that person is also licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor. Persons engaged in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling are not exempt from the board's jurisdiction solely by the use of one of the above titles.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 245.4871, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

Subd. 26. Mental health practitioner. "Mental health practitioner" means a person providing services to children with emotional disturbances. A mental health practitioner must have training and experience in working with children. A mental health practitioner must be qualified in at least one of the following ways:

(1) holds a bachelor's degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university and:

(i) has at least 2,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of mental health services to children with emotional disturbances; or

(ii) is fluent in the non-English language of the ethnic group to which at least 50 percent of the practitioner's clients belong, completes 40 hours of training in the delivery of services to children with emotional disturbances, and receives clinical supervision from a mental health professional at least once a week until the requirement of 2,000 hours of supervised experience is met;

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(2) has at least 6,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of mental health services to children with emotional disturbances; hours worked as a mental health behavioral aide I or II under section 256B.0943, subdivision 7, may be included in the 6,000 hours of experience;

(3) is a graduate student in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields and is formally assigned by an accredited college or university to an agency or facility for clinical training; or

(4) holds a master's or other graduate degree in one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from an accredited college or university and has less than 4,000 hours post-master's experience in the treatment of emotional disturbance.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 245.4885, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Admission criteria. The county board shall, prior to admission, except in the case of emergency admission, determine the needed level of care for all children referred for treatment of severe emotional disturbance in a treatment foster care setting, residential treatment facility, or informally admitted to a regional treatment center if public funds are used to pay for the services. The county board shall also determine the needed level of care for all children admitted to an acute care hospital for treatment of severe emotional disturbance if public funds other than reimbursement under chapters 256B and 256D are used to pay for the services. The level of care determination shall determine whether the proposed treatment:

(1) is necessary;

(2) is appropriate to the child's individual treatment needs;

(3) cannot be effectively provided in the child's home; and

(4) provides a length of stay as short as possible consistent with the individual child's need.

When a level of care determination is conducted, the county board may not determine that referral or admission to a treatment foster care setting, or residential treatment facility~~, or acute care hospital~~ is not appropriate solely because services were not first provided to the child in a less restrictive setting and the child failed to make progress toward or meet treatment goals in the less restrictive setting. The level of care determination must be based on a diagnostic assessment that includes a functional assessment which evaluates family, school, and community living situations; and an assessment of the child's need for care out of the home using a validated tool which assesses a child's functional status and assigns an appropriate level of care. The validated tool must be approved by the commissioner of human services. If a diagnostic assessment including a functional assessment has been completed by a mental health professional within the past 180 days, a new diagnostic assessment need not be completed unless in the opinion of the current treating mental health professional the child's mental health status has changed markedly since the assessment was completed. The child's parent shall be notified if an assessment will not be completed and of the reasons. A copy of the notice shall be placed in the child's file. Recommendations developed as part of the level of care determination process shall include specific community services needed by the child and, if appropriate, the child's family, and shall indicate whether or not these services are available and accessible to the child and family.

During the level of care determination process, the child, child's family, or child's legal representative, as appropriate, must be informed of the child's eligibility for case management services and family community support services and that an individual family community support plan is being developed by the case manager, if assigned.

The level of care determination shall comply with section 260C.212. Wherever possible, the parent shall be consulted in the process, unless clinically inappropriate.

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The level of care determination, and placement decision, and recommendations for mental health services must be documented in the child's record.

An alternate review process may be approved by the commissioner if the county board demonstrates that an alternate review process has been established by the county board and the times of review, persons responsible for the review, and review criteria are comparable to the standards in clauses (1) to (4).

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 245.50, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Special contracts; bordering states. (a) An individual who is detained, committed, or placed on an involuntary basis under chapter 253B may be confined or treated in a bordering state pursuant to a contract under this section. An individual who is detained, committed, or placed on an involuntary basis under the civil law of a bordering state may be confined or treated in Minnesota pursuant to a contract under this section. A peace or health officer who is acting under the authority of the sending state may transport an individual to a receiving agency that provides services pursuant to a contract under this section and may transport the individual back to the sending state under the laws of the sending state. Court orders valid under the law of the sending state are granted recognition and reciprocity in the receiving state for individuals covered by a contract under this section to the extent that the court orders relate to confinement for treatment or care of mental illness or chemical dependency. Such treatment or care may address other conditions that may be co-occurring with the mental illness or chemical dependency. These court orders are not subject to legal challenge in the courts of the receiving state. Individuals who are detained, committed, or placed under the law of a sending state and who are transferred to a receiving state under this section continue to be in the legal custody of the authority responsible for them under the law of the sending state. Except in emergencies, those individuals may not be transferred, removed, or furloughed from a receiving agency without the specific approval of the authority responsible for them under the law of the sending state.

(b) While in the receiving state pursuant to a contract under this section, an individual shall be subject to the sending state's laws and rules relating to length of confinement, reexaminations, and extensions of confinement. No individual may be sent to another state pursuant to a contract under this section until the receiving state has enacted a law recognizing the validity and applicability of this section.

(c) If an individual receiving services pursuant to a contract under this section leaves the receiving agency without permission and the individual is subject to involuntary confinement under the law of the sending state, the receiving agency shall use all reasonable means to return the individual to the receiving agency. The receiving agency shall immediately report the absence to the sending agency. The receiving state has the primary responsibility for, and the authority to direct, the return of these individuals within its borders and is liable for the cost of the action to the extent that it would be liable for costs of its own resident.

(d) Responsibility for payment for the cost of care remains with the sending agency.

(e) This subdivision also applies to county contracts under subdivision 2 which include emergency care and treatment provided to a county resident in a bordering state.

(f) If a Minnesota resident is admitted to a facility in a bordering state under this chapter, a physician, licensed psychologist who has a doctoral degree in psychology, or an advance practice registered nurse certified in mental health, who is licensed in the bordering state, may act as an examiner under sections 253B.07, 253B.08, 253B.092, 253B.12, and 253B.17 subject to the same requirements and limitations in section 253B.02, subdivision 7. The examiner may initiate an emergency hold under section 253B.05 on a Minnesota resident who is in a hospital under contract with a Minnesota governmental entity under this section providing the patient, in the professional opinion of the examiner, meets the criteria in section 253B.05.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0615, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

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Subdivision 1. Scope. Medical assistance covers mental health certified peers specialists services, as established in subdivision 2, subject to federal approval, if provided to recipients who are eligible for services under sections 256B.0622 ~~and~~, 256B.0623, and 256B.0624 and are provided by a certified peer specialist who has completed the training under subdivision 5.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0615, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Eligibility. Peer support services may be made available to consumers of (1) the intensive rehabilitative mental health services under section 256B.0622; ~~and~~ (2) adult rehabilitative mental health services under section 256B.0623; and (3) crisis stabilization services under section 256B.0624.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0622, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Medical assistance payment for intensive rehabilitative mental health services. (a) Payment for residential and nonresidential services in this section shall be based on one daily rate per provider inclusive of the following services received by an eligible recipient in a given calendar day: all rehabilitative services under this section, staff travel time to provide rehabilitative services under this section, and nonresidential crisis stabilization services under section 256B.0624.

(b) Except as indicated in paragraph (c), payment will not be made to more than one entity for each recipient for services provided under this section on a given day. If services under this section are provided by a team that includes staff from more than one entity, the team must determine how to distribute the payment among the members.

(c) The host county shall recommend to the commissioner one rate for each entity that will bill medical assistance for residential services under this section and ~~two rates~~ one rate for each nonresidential provider. The first nonresidential rate is for recipients who are not receiving residential services. The second nonresidential rate is for recipients who are temporarily receiving residential services and need continued contact with the nonresidential team to assure timely discharge from residential services. In developing these rates, the host county shall consider and document:

(1) the cost for similar services in the local trade area;

(2) actual costs incurred by entities providing the services;

(3) the intensity and frequency of services to be provided to each recipient, including the proposed overall number of units of service to be delivered;

(4) the degree to which recipients will receive services other than services under this section;

(5) the costs of other services that will be separately reimbursed; and

(6) input from the local planning process authorized by the adult mental health initiative under section 245.4661, regarding recipients' service needs.

(d) The rate for intensive rehabilitative mental health services must exclude room and board, as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 6, and services not covered under this section, such as partial hospitalization, home care, and inpatient services. Physician services that are not separately billed may be included in the rate to the extent that a psychiatrist is a member of the treatment team. The county's recommendation shall specify the period for which the rate will be applicable, not to exceed two years.

Journal of the House - 52nd Day - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - Top of Page 5616

(e) When services under this section are provided by an assertive community team, case management functions must be an integral part of the team.

(f) The rate for a provider must not exceed the rate charged by that provider for the same service to other payors.

(g) The commissioner shall approve or reject the county's rate recommendation, based on the commissioner's own analysis of the criteria in paragraph (c).

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0623, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Qualifications of provider staff. Adult rehabilitative mental health services must be provided by qualified individual provider staff of a certified provider entity. Individual provider staff must be qualified under one of the following criteria:

(1) a mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5). If the recipient has a current diagnostic assessment by a licensed mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5), recommending receipt of adult mental health rehabilitative services, the definition of mental health professional for purposes of this section includes a person who is qualified under section 245.462, subdivision 18, clause (6), and who holds a current and valid national certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor or certified psychosocial rehabilitation practitioner;

(2) a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17. The mental health practitioner must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional;

(3) a certified peer specialist under section 256B.0615. The certified peer specialist must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(4) a mental health rehabilitation worker. A mental health rehabilitation worker means a staff person working under the direction of a mental health practitioner or mental health professional and under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional in the implementation of rehabilitative mental health services as identified in the recipient's individual treatment plan who:

(i) is at least 21 years of age;

(ii) has a high school diploma or equivalent;

(iii) has successfully completed 30 hours of training during the ~~past~~ two years immediately prior to the date of hire, or before provision of direct services, in all of the following areas: recipient rights, recipient-centered individual treatment planning, behavioral terminology, mental illness, co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, psychotropic medications and side effects, functional assessment, local community resources, adult vulnerability, recipient confidentiality; and

(iv) meets the qualifications in subitem (A) or (B):

(A) has an associate of arts degree or two years full-time postsecondary education in one of the behavioral sciences or human services~~, or~~; is a registered nurse without a bachelor's degree,; or who within the previous ten years has:

(1) three years of personal life experience with serious and persistent mental illness;

(2) three years of life experience as a primary caregiver to an adult with a serious mental illness or traumatic brain injury; or

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(3) 4,000 hours of supervised paid work experience in the delivery of mental health services to adults with a serious mental illness or traumatic brain injury; or

(B)(1) is fluent in the non-English language or competent in the culture of the ethnic group to which at least 20 percent of the mental health rehabilitation worker's clients belong;

(2) receives during the first 2,000 hours of work, monthly documented individual clinical supervision by a mental health professional;

(3) has 18 hours of documented field supervision by a mental health professional or practitioner during the first 160 hours of contact work with recipients, and at least six hours of field supervision quarterly during the following year;

(4) has review and cosignature of charting of recipient contacts during field supervision by a mental health professional or practitioner; and

(5) has 40 15 hours of additional continuing education on mental health topics during the first year of employment and 15 hours during every additional year of employment.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0624, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Adult crisis stabilization staff qualifications. (a) Adult mental health crisis stabilization services must be provided by qualified individual staff of a qualified provider entity. Individual provider staff must have the following qualifications:

(1) be a mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5);

(2) be a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17. The mental health practitioner must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(3) be a certified peer specialist under section 256B.0615. The certified peer specialist must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(4) be a mental health rehabilitation worker who meets the criteria in section 256B.0623, subdivision 5, clause ~~(3)~~ (4); works under the direction of a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 17, or under direction of a mental health professional; and works under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional.

(b) Mental health practitioners and mental health rehabilitation workers must have completed at least 30 hours of training in crisis intervention and stabilization during the past two years.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0625, subdivision 49, is amended to read:

Subd. 49. Community health worker. (a) Medical assistance covers the care coordination and patient education services provided by a community health worker if the community health worker has:

(1) received a certificate from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System approved community health worker curriculum; or

(2) at least five years of supervised experience with an enrolled physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5), and section 245.4871, subdivision 27, clauses (1) to (5), or dentist, or at least five years of supervised experience by a certified public health nurse operating under the direct authority of an enrolled unit of government.

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Community health workers eligible for payment under clause (2) must complete the certification program by January 1, 2010, to continue to be eligible for payment.

(b) Community health workers must work under the supervision of a medical assistance enrolled physician, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, mental health professional as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 18, clauses (1) to (5), and section 245.4871, subdivision 27, clauses (1) to (5), or dentist, or work under the supervision of a certified public health nurse operating under the direct authority of an enrolled unit of government.

(c) Care coordination and patient education services covered under this subdivision include, but are not limited to, services relating to oral health and dental care.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(a) "Children's therapeutic services and supports" means the flexible package of mental health services for children who require varying therapeutic and rehabilitative levels of intervention. The services are time-limited interventions that are delivered using various treatment modalities and combinations of services designed to reach treatment outcomes identified in the individual treatment plan.

(b) "Clinical supervision" means the overall responsibility of the mental health professional for the control and direction of individualized treatment planning, service delivery, and treatment review for each client. A mental health professional who is an enrolled Minnesota health care program provider accepts full professional responsibility for a supervisee's actions and decisions, instructs the supervisee in the supervisee's work, and oversees or directs the supervisee's work.

(c) "County board" means the county board of commissioners or board established under sections 402.01 to 402.10 or 471.59.

(d) "Crisis assistance" has the meaning given in section 245.4871, subdivision 9a.

(e) "Culturally competent provider" means a provider who understands and can utilize to a client's benefit the client's culture when providing services to the client. A provider may be culturally competent because the provider is of the same cultural or ethnic group as the client or the provider has developed the knowledge and skills through training and experience to provide services to culturally diverse clients.

(f) "Day treatment program" for children means a site-based structured program consisting of group psychotherapy for more than three individuals and other intensive therapeutic services provided by a multidisciplinary team, under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional.

(g) "Diagnostic assessment" has the meaning given in section 245.4871, subdivision 11.

(h) "Direct service time" means the time that a mental health professional, mental health practitioner, or mental health behavioral aide spends face-to-face with a client and the client's family. Direct service time includes time in which the provider obtains a client's history or provides service components of children's therapeutic services and supports. Direct service time does not include time doing work before and after providing direct services, including scheduling, maintaining clinical records, consulting with others about the client's mental health status, preparing reports, receiving clinical supervision ~~directly related to the client's psychotherapy session~~, and revising the client's individual treatment plan.

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(i) "Direction of mental health behavioral aide" means the activities of a mental health professional or mental health practitioner in guiding the mental health behavioral aide in providing services to a client. The direction of a mental health behavioral aide must be based on the client's individualized treatment plan and meet the requirements in subdivision 6, paragraph (b), clause (5).

(j) "Emotional disturbance" has the meaning given in section 245.4871, subdivision 15. For persons at least age 18 but under age 21, mental illness has the meaning given in section 245.462, subdivision 20, paragraph (a).

(k) "Individual behavioral plan" means a plan of intervention, treatment, and services for a child written by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner, under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional, to guide the work of the mental health behavioral aide.

(l) "Individual treatment plan" has the meaning given in section 245.4871, subdivision 21.

(m) "Mental health behavioral aide services" means medically necessary one-on-one activities performed by a trained paraprofessional to assist a child retain or generalize psychosocial skills as taught by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner and as described in the child's individual treatment plan and individual behavior plan. Activities involve working directly with the child or child's family as provided in subdivision 9, paragraph (b), clause (4).

~~(m)~~ (n) "Mental health professional" means an individual as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 27, clauses (1) to (5), or tribal vendor as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).

~~(n)~~ (o) "Preschool program" means a day program licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0175, and enrolled as a children's therapeutic services and supports provider to provide a structured treatment program to a child who is at least 33 months old but who has not yet attended the first day of kindergarten.

~~(o)~~ (p) "Skills training" means individual, family, or group training, delivered by or under the direction of a mental health professional, designed to improve the basic functioning of the child with emotional disturbance and the child's family in the activities of daily living and community living, and to improve the social functioning of the child and the child's family in areas important to the child's maintaining or reestablishing residency in the community. Individual, family, and group skills training must:

(1) consist of activities designed to promote skill development of the child and the child's family in the use of age-appropriate daily living skills, interpersonal and family relationships, and leisure and recreational services;

(2) consist of activities that will assist the family's understanding of normal child development and to use parenting skills that will help the child with emotional disturbance achieve the goals outlined in the child's individual treatment plan; and

(3) promote family preservation and unification, promote the family's integration with the community, and reduce the use of unnecessary out-of-home placement or institutionalization of children with emotional disturbance. facilitate the acquisition of psychosocial skills that are medically necessary to rehabilitate the child to an age-appropriate developmental trajectory heretofore disrupted by a psychiatric illness or to self-monitor, compensate for, cope with, counteract, or replace skills deficits or maladaptive skills acquired over the course of a psychiatric illness. Skills training is subject to the following requirements:

(1) a mental health professional or a mental health practitioner must provide skills training;

(2) the child must always be present during skills training; however, a brief absence of the child for no more than ten percent of the session unit may be allowed to redirect or instruct family members;

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(3) skills training delivered to children or their families must be targeted to the specific deficits or maladaptations of the child's mental health disorder and must be prescribed in the child's individual treatment plan;

(4) skills training delivered to the child's family must teach skills needed by parents to enhance the child's skill development and to help the child use in daily life the skills previously taught by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner and to develop or maintain a home environment that supports the child's progressive use skills;

(5) group skills training may be provided to multiple recipients who, because of the nature of their emotional, behavioral, or social dysfunction, can derive mutual benefit from interaction in a group setting, which must be staffed as follows:

(i) one mental health professional or one mental health practitioner under supervision of a licensed mental health professional must work with a group of four to eight clients; or

(ii) two mental health professionals or two mental health practitioners under supervision of a licensed mental health professional, or one professional plus one practitioner must work with a group of nine to 12 clients.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Covered service components of children's therapeutic services and supports. (a) Subject to federal approval, medical assistance covers medically necessary children's therapeutic services and supports as defined in this section that an eligible provider entity certified under ~~subdivisions~~ subdivision 4 ~~and 5~~ provides to a client eligible under subdivision 3.

(b) The service components of children's therapeutic services and supports are:

(1) individual, family, and group psychotherapy;

(2) individual, family, or group skills training provided by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner;

(3) crisis assistance;

(4) mental health behavioral aide services; and

(5) direction of a mental health behavioral aide.

(c) Service components in paragraph (b) may be combined to constitute therapeutic programs, including day treatment programs and therapeutic preschool programs. ~~Although day treatment and preschool programs have specific client and provider eligibility requirements, medical assistance only pays for the service components listed in paragraph (b).~~

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Provider entity certification. (a) Effective July 1, 2003, the commissioner shall establish an initial provider entity application and certification process and recertification process to determine whether a provider entity has an administrative and clinical infrastructure that meets the requirements in subdivisions 5 and 6. The commissioner shall recertify a provider entity at least every three years. The commissioner shall establish a process for decertification of a provider entity that no longer meets the requirements in this section. ~~The county, tribe, and the commissioner shall be mutually responsible and accountable for the county's, tribe's, and state's part of the certification, recertification, and decertification processes.~~

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(b) For purposes of this section, a provider entity must be:

(1) an Indian health services facility or a facility owned and operated by a tribe or tribal organization operating as a 638 facility under Public Law 93-638 certified by the state;

(2) a county-operated entity certified by the state; or

(3) a noncounty entity ~~recommended for certification by the provider's host county and~~ certified by the state.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Provider entity administrative infrastructure requirements. (a) To be an eligible provider entity under this section, a provider entity must have an administrative infrastructure that establishes authority and accountability for decision making and oversight of functions, including finance, personnel, system management, clinical practice, and performance measurement. The provider must have written policies and procedures that it reviews and updates every three years and distributes to staff initially and upon each subsequent update.

(b) The administrative infrastructure written policies and procedures must include:

(1) personnel procedures, including a process for: (i) recruiting, hiring, training, and retention of culturally and linguistically competent providers; (ii) conducting a criminal background check on all direct service providers and volunteers; (iii) investigating, reporting, and acting on violations of ethical conduct standards; (iv) investigating, reporting, and acting on violations of data privacy policies that are compliant with federal and state laws; (v) utilizing volunteers, including screening applicants, training and supervising volunteers, and providing liability coverage for volunteers; and (vi) documenting that each mental health professional, mental health practitioner, or mental health behavioral aide meets the applicable provider qualification criteria, training criteria under subdivision 8, and clinical supervision or direction of a mental health behavioral aide requirements under subdivision 6;

(2) fiscal procedures, including internal fiscal control practices and a process for collecting revenue that is compliant with federal and state laws;

(3) if a client is receiving services from a case manager or other provider entity, a service coordination process that ensures services are provided in the most appropriate manner to achieve maximum benefit to the client. The provider entity must ensure coordination and nonduplication of services consistent with county board coordination procedures established under section 245.4881, subdivision 5;

~~(4)~~ (3) a performance measurement system, including monitoring to determine cultural appropriateness of services identified in the individual treatment plan, as determined by the client's culture, beliefs, values, and language, and family-driven services; and

~~(5)~~ (4) a process to establish and maintain individual client records. The client's records must include:

(i) the client's personal information;

(ii) forms applicable to data privacy;

(iii) the client's diagnostic assessment, updates, results of tests, individual treatment plan, and individual behavior plan, if necessary;

(iv) documentation of service delivery as specified under subdivision 6;

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(v) telephone contacts;

(vi) discharge plan; and

(vii) if applicable, insurance information.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Provider entity clinical infrastructure requirements. (a) To be an eligible provider entity under this section, a provider entity must have a clinical infrastructure that utilizes diagnostic assessment, an individualized treatment ~~plan~~ plans, service delivery, and individual treatment plan review that are culturally competent, child-centered, and family-driven to achieve maximum benefit for the client. The provider entity must review, and update as necessary, the clinical policies and procedures every three years and must distribute the policies and procedures to staff initially and upon each subsequent update.

(b) The clinical infrastructure written policies and procedures must include policies and procedures for:

(1) providing or obtaining a client's diagnostic assessment that identifies acute and chronic clinical disorders, co-occurring medical conditions, sources of psychological and environmental problems, ~~and~~ including a functional assessment. The functional assessment must clearly summarize the client's individual strengths and needs;

(2) developing an individual treatment plan that is:

(i) is based on the information in the client's diagnostic assessment;

(ii) identified goals and objectives of treatment, treatment strategy, schedule for accomplishing treatment goals and objectives, and the individuals responsible for providing treatment services and supports;

~~(ii)~~ (iii) is developed ~~no later than the end of the first psychotherapy session after the~~ after completion of the client's diagnostic assessment by ~~the~~ a mental health professional ~~who provides the client's psychotherapy~~ and before the provision of children's therapeutic services and supports;

~~(iii)~~ (iv) is developed through a child-centered, family-driven, culturally appropriate planning process that identifies service needs and individualized, planned, and culturally appropriate interventions that contain specific treatment goals and objectives for the client and the client's family or foster family;

~~(iv)~~ (v) is reviewed at least once every 90 days and revised, if necessary; and

~~(v)~~ (vi) is signed by the clinical supervisor and by the client or~~, if appropriate,~~ by the client's parent or other person authorized by statute to consent to mental health services for the client;

(3) developing an individual behavior plan that documents ~~services~~ treatment strategies to be provided by the mental health behavioral aide. The individual behavior plan must include:

(i) detailed instructions on the ~~service~~ treatment strategies to be provided;

(ii) time allocated to each ~~service~~ treatment strategy;

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(iii) methods of documenting the child's behavior;

(iv) methods of monitoring the child's progress in reaching objectives; and

(v) goals to increase or decrease targeted behavior as identified in the individual treatment plan;

(4) providing clinical supervision of the mental health practitioner and mental health behavioral aide. A mental health professional must document the clinical supervision the professional provides by cosigning individual treatment plans and making entries in the client's record on supervisory activities. Clinical supervision does not include the authority to make or terminate court-ordered placements of the child. A clinical supervisor must be available for urgent consultation as required by the individual client's needs or the situation. Clinical supervision may occur individually or in a small group to discuss treatment and review progress toward goals. The focus of clinical supervision must be the client's treatment needs and progress and the mental health practitioner's or behavioral aide's ability to provide services;

(4a) ~~CTSS certified provider entities providing~~ meeting day treatment and therapeutic preschool programs ~~must meet the~~ conditions in items (i) to (iii):

(i) the supervisor must be present and available on the premises more than 50 percent of the time in a five-working-day period during which the supervisee is providing a mental health service;

(ii) the diagnosis and the client's individual treatment plan or a change in the diagnosis or individual treatment plan must be made by or reviewed, approved, and signed by the supervisor; and

(iii) every 30 days, the supervisor must review and sign the record of indicating the supervisor has reviewed the client's care for all activities in the preceding 30-day period;

(4b) meeting the clinical supervision standards in items (i) to (iii) for all other services provided under CTSS~~, clinical supervision standards provided in items (i) to (iii) must be used~~:

(i) medical assistance shall reimburse for services provided by a mental health practitioner who maintains a consulting relationship with a mental health professional who accepts full professional responsibility and is present on site for at least one observation during the first 12 hours in which the mental health practitioner provides the individual, family, or group skills training to the child or the child's family;

(ii) medical assistance shall reimburse for services provided by a mental health behavioral aide who maintains a consulting relationship with a mental health professional who accepts full professional responsibility and has an approved plan for clinical supervision of the behavioral aide. Plans will be approved in accordance with supervision standards promulgated by the commissioner of human services;

~~(ii) thereafter,~~ (iii) the mental health professional is required to be present on site for observation as clinically appropriate when the mental health practitioner or mental health behavioral aide is providing ~~individual, family, or group skills training to the child or the child's family~~ CTSS services; and

~~(iii)~~ (iv) when conducted, the ~~observation must be a minimum of one clinical unit. The~~ on-site presence of the mental health professional must be documented in the child's record and signed by the mental health professional who accepts full professional responsibility;

(5) providing direction to a mental health behavioral aide. For entities that employ mental health behavioral aides, the clinical supervisor must be employed by the provider entity or other certified children's therapeutic supports and services provider entity to ensure necessary and appropriate oversight for the client's treatment and

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continuity of care. The mental health professional or mental health practitioner giving direction must begin with the goals on the individualized treatment plan, and instruct the mental health behavioral aide on how to construct therapeutic activities and interventions that will lead to goal attainment. The professional or practitioner giving direction must also instruct the mental health behavioral aide about the client's diagnosis, functional status, and other characteristics that are likely to affect service delivery. Direction must also include determining that the mental health behavioral aide has the skills to interact with the client and the client's family in ways that convey personal and cultural respect and that the aide actively solicits information relevant to treatment from the family. The aide must be able to clearly explain the activities the aide is doing with the client and the activities' relationship to treatment goals. Direction is more didactic than is supervision and requires the professional or practitioner providing it to continuously evaluate the mental health behavioral aide's ability to carry out the activities of the individualized treatment plan and the individualized behavior plan. When providing direction, the professional or practitioner must:

(i) review progress notes prepared by the mental health behavioral aide for accuracy and consistency with diagnostic assessment, treatment plan, and behavior goals and the professional or practitioner must approve and sign the progress notes;

(ii) identify changes in treatment strategies, revise the individual behavior plan, and communicate treatment instructions and methodologies as appropriate to ensure that treatment is implemented correctly;

(iii) demonstrate family-friendly behaviors that support healthy collaboration among the child, the child's family, and providers as treatment is planned and implemented;

(iv) ensure that the mental health behavioral aide is able to effectively communicate with the child, the child's family, and the provider; and

(v) record the results of any evaluation and corrective actions taken to modify the work of the mental health behavioral aide;

(6) providing service delivery that implements the individual treatment plan and meets the requirements under subdivision 9; and

(7) individual treatment plan review. The review must determine the extent to which the services have met the goals and objectives in the previous treatment plan. The review must assess the client's progress and ensure that services and treatment goals continue to be necessary and appropriate to the client and the client's family or foster family. Revision of the individual treatment plan does not require a new diagnostic assessment unless the client's mental health status has changed markedly. The updated treatment plan must be signed by the clinical supervisor and by the client, if appropriate, and by the client's parent or other person authorized by statute to give consent to the mental health services for the child.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Qualifications of individual and team providers. (a) An individual or team provider working within the scope of the provider's practice or qualifications may provide service components of children's therapeutic services and supports that are identified as medically necessary in a client's individual treatment plan.

(b) An individual provider must be qualified as:

(1) a mental health professional as defined in subdivision 1, paragraph (m); or

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(2) a mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 26. The mental health practitioner must work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional; or

(3) a mental health behavioral aide working under the ~~direction~~ clinical supervision of a mental health professional to implement the rehabilitative mental health services identified in the client's individual treatment plan and individual behavior plan.

(A) A level I mental health behavioral aide must:

(i) be at least 18 years old;

(ii) have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) or two years of experience as a primary caregiver to a child with severe emotional disturbance within the previous ten years; and

(iii) meet preservice and continuing education requirements under subdivision 8.

(B) A level II mental health behavioral aide must:

(i) be at least 18 years old;

(ii) have an associate or bachelor's degree or 4,000 hours of experience in delivering clinical services in the treatment of mental illness concerning children or adolescents. Hours worked as a mental health behavioral aide I may be included in the 4,000 hours of experience; and

(iii) meet preservice and continuing education requirements in subdivision 8.

(c) A preschool program multidisciplinary team must include at least one mental health professional and one or more of the following individuals under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional:

(i) a mental health practitioner; or

(ii) a program person, including a teacher, assistant teacher, or aide, who meets the qualifications and training standards of a level I mental health behavioral aide.

(d) A day treatment multidisciplinary team must include at least one mental health professional and one mental health practitioner.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0943, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Service delivery criteria. (a) In delivering services under this section, a certified provider entity must ensure that:

(1) each individual provider's caseload size permits the provider to deliver services to both clients with severe, complex needs and clients with less intensive needs. The provider's caseload size should reasonably enable the provider to play an active role in service planning, monitoring, and delivering services to meet the client's and client's family's needs, as specified in each client's individual treatment plan;

(2) site-based programs, including day treatment and preschool programs, provide staffing and facilities to ensure the client's health, safety, and protection of rights, and that the programs are able to implement each client's individual treatment plan;

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(3) a day treatment program is provided to a group of clients by a multidisciplinary team under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional. The day treatment program must be provided in and by: (i) an outpatient hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations and licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.55; (ii) a community mental health center under section 245.62; ~~and~~ or (iii) an entity that is under contract with the county board to operate a program that meets the requirements of sections 245.4712, subdivision 2, ~~and~~ or 245.4884, subdivision 2, and Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475. The day treatment program must stabilize the client's mental health status while developing and improving the client's independent living and socialization skills. The goal of the day treatment program must be to reduce or relieve the effects of mental illness and provide training to enable the client to live in the community. The program must be available at least one day a week for a ~~three-hour~~ two-hour time block. The ~~three-hour~~ two-hour time block must include at least one hour~~, but no more than two hours,~~ of individual or group psychotherapy. The remainder of the three-hour time block may include recreation therapy, socialization therapy, or independent living skills therapy, but only if the therapies are included in the client's individual treatment plan. The remainder of the structured treatment program may include individual or group psychotherapy and individual or group skills training, if included in the client's individual treatment plan. Day treatment programs are not part of inpatient or residential treatment services. A day treatment program may provide fewer than the minimally required hours for a particular child during a billing period in which the child is transitioning into, or out of, the program; and

(4) a therapeutic preschool program is a structured treatment program offered to a child who is at least 33 months old, but who has not yet reached the first day of kindergarten, by a preschool multidisciplinary team in a day program licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0175. The program must be available ~~at least one day a week for a minimum two-hour time block~~ two hours per day, five days per week, and 12 months of each calendar year. The structured treatment program may include individual or group psychotherapy and ~~recreation therapy, socialization therapy, or independent living skills therapy~~ individual or group skills training, if included in the client's individual treatment plan. A therapeutic preschool program may provide fewer than the minimally required hours for a particular child during a billing period in which the child is transitioning into, or out of, the program.

(b) A provider entity must deliver the service components of children's therapeutic services and supports in compliance with the following requirements:

(1) individual, family, and group psychotherapy must be delivered as specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0323;

(2) individual, family, or group skills training must be provided by a mental health professional or a mental health practitioner who has a consulting relationship with a mental health professional who accepts full professional responsibility for the training;

(3) crisis assistance must be time-limited and designed to resolve or stabilize crisis through arrangements for direct intervention and support services to the child and the child's family. Crisis assistance must utilize resources designed to address abrupt or substantial changes in the functioning of the child or the child's family as evidenced by a sudden change in behavior with negative consequences for well being, a loss of usual coping mechanisms, or the presentation of danger to self or others;

(4) mental health behavioral aide services must be medically necessary ~~services that are provided by a mental health behavioral aide must be~~ treatment services, identified in the child's individual treatment plan and individual behavior plan, which are performed minimally by a paraprofessional qualified according to subdivision 7, paragraph (b), clause (3), and which are designed to improve the functioning of the child ~~and support the family in activities of daily and community living.~~ in the progressive use of developmentally appropriate psychosocial skills. Activities involve working directly with the child, child-peer groupings, or child-family groupings to practice, repeat, reintroduce, and master the skills defined in subdivision 1, paragraph (p), as previously taught by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner including:

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(i) providing cues or prompts in skill-building peer-to-peer or parent-child interactions so that the child progressively recognizes and responds to the cues independently;

(ii) performing as a practice partner or role-play partner;

(iii) reinforcing the child's accomplishments;

(iv) generalizing skill-building activities in the child's multiple natural settings;

(v) assigning further practice activities; and

(vi) intervening as necessary to redirect the child's target behavior and to de-escalate behavior that puts the child or other person at risk of injury.

A mental health behavioral aide must document the delivery of services in written progress notes. The mental health behavioral aide must implement goals in the treatment plan for the child's emotional disturbance that allow the child to acquire developmentally and therapeutically appropriate daily living skills, social skills, and leisure and recreational skills through targeted activities. These activities may include:

~~(i) assisting a child as needed with skills development in dressing, eating, and toileting;~~

~~(ii) assisting, monitoring, and guiding the child to complete tasks, including facilitating the child's participation in medical appointments;~~

~~(iii) observing the child and intervening to redirect the child's inappropriate behavior;~~

(iv) assisting the child in using age-appropriate self-management skills as related to the child's emotional disorder or mental illness, including problem solving, decision making, communication, conflict resolution, anger management, social skills, and recreational skills;

~~(v) implementing deescalation techniques as recommended by the mental health professional;~~

~~(vi) implementing any other mental health service that the mental health professional has approved as being within the scope of the behavioral aide's duties; or~~

(vii) assisting the parents to develop and use parenting skills that help the child achieve the goals outlined in the child's individual treatment plan or individual behavioral plan. Parenting skills must be directed exclusively to the child's treatment treatment strategies in the individual treatment plan and the individual behavior plan. The mental health behavioral aide must document the delivery of services in written progress notes. Progress notes must reflect implementation of the treatment strategies, as performed by the mental health behavioral aide and the child's responses to the treatment strategies; and

(5) direction of a mental health behavioral aide must include the following:

(i) a total of one hour of on-site observation by a mental health professional during the first 12 hours of service provided to a child;

(ii) ongoing on-site observation by a mental health professional or mental health practitioner for at least a total of one hour during every 40 hours of service provided to a child; and

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(iii) immediate accessibility of the mental health professional or mental health practitioner to the mental health behavioral aide during service provision.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.0944, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Mobile crisis intervention staff qualifications. (a) To provide children's mental health mobile crisis intervention services, a mobile crisis intervention team must include:

(1) at least two mental health professionals as defined in section 256B.0943, subdivision 1, paragraph ~~(m)~~ (n); or

(2) a combination of at least one mental health professional and one mental health practitioner as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 26, with the required mental health crisis training and under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional on the team.

(b) The team must have at least two people with at least one member providing on-site crisis intervention services when needed. Team members must be experienced in mental health assessment, crisis intervention techniques, and clinical decision making under emergency conditions and have knowledge of local services and resources. The team must recommend and coordinate the team's services with appropriate local resources, including the county social services agency, mental health service providers, and local law enforcement, if necessary.

Sec. 19. RATE SETTING.

The commissioner shall implement a new statewide rate setting methodology for intensive residential and nonresidential mental health services starting January 1, 2010. The new rate setting methodology shall be fiscally neutral and consistent with federal and state Medicaid rules, regulations, procedures, and practices.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2010, and does not change contracts or agreements relating to services provided before January 1, 2010."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to human services; amending mental health provisions; changing medical assistance reimbursement and eligibility; changing provider qualification and training requirements; amending mental health behavioral aide services; providing coverage of mental health behavioral aide services; changing special contracts with bordering states; requiring a new rate setting methodology; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 148C.11, subdivision 1; 245.4871, subdivision 26; 245.4885, subdivision 1; 245.50, subdivision 5; 256B.0615, subdivisions 1, 3; 256B.0622, subdivision 8; 256B.0623, subdivision 5; 256B.0624, subdivision 8; 256B.0625, subdivision 49; 256B.0943, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9; 256B.0944, subdivision 5."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

H. F. No. 2112, A resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to oppose enactment of legislation of the substance and tenor of S. 40/H.R. 3200 -- the National Insurance Act of 2007 -- proposed optional federal charter legislation.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.

The report was adopted.

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Faust from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

S. F. No. 97, A bill for an act relating to health; providing for the medical use of marijuana; providing civil and criminal penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 13.3806, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 152.

Reported the same back with the following amendments to the first unofficial engrossment:

Page 15, line 16, delete "This is a onetime appropriation."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

S. F. No. 727, A bill for an act relating to human services; establishing a self-advocacy program for persons with developmental disabilities; transferring money appropriated to the commissioner of administration; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.092, by adding a subdivision.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 256B.092, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 11. Self-advocacy activities. Within the limits of appropriations specifically for this purpose, Advocating Change Together, in cooperation with the network of self-advocacy groups called Self-Advocates Minnesota, shall conduct self-advocacy activities for persons with developmental disabilities. These activities shall include, but not be limited to, training on individual rights, decision making, self determination, prevention of abuse, and participation in quality assurance monitoring. The commissioner shall seek to obtain federal financial participation for eligible activity by Advocating Change Together and Self-Advocates Minnesota. These organizations shall maintain and transmit to the commissioner documentation that is necessary in order to obtain federal funds.

Sec. 2. TRANSFER; APPROPRIATION.

Any general fund appropriation to the commissioner of administration for a grant to Advocating Change Together for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.092, subdivision 11, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, is transferred to the commissioner of human services and becomes part of base level funding for the commissioner of human services for the biennium beginning July 1, 2011."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

S. F. No. 915, A bill for an act relating to insurance; requiring school districts to obtain employee health coverage through the public employees insurance program; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 43A.316, subdivisions 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 62E.02, subdivision 23; 62E.10, subdivision 1; 62E.11, subdivision 5; 297I.05, subdivision 5; 297I.15, subdivision 3.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3a. Health improvement programs. The commissioner, with the approval of the school employee insurance committee, is authorized to plan, develop, purchase, administer, and evaluate disease management and other programs, strategies, and incentives to improve the health and health outcomes of members.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9. Insurance trust fund. (a) The insurance trust fund in the state treasury consists of deposits of the premiums received from employers participating in the program and transfers before July 1, 1994, from the excess contributions holding account established by section 353.65, subdivision 7. All money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner to pay insurance premiums, approved claims, refunds, administrative costs, and other related ~~service~~ costs, including costs incurred under chapters 62E and 297I in connection with the school employee insurance program. Premiums paid by employers to the fund are exempt from the taxes imposed by chapter 297I, except as described in paragraph (b). The commissioner shall reserve an amount of money to cover the estimated costs of claims incurred but unpaid. The State Board of Investment shall invest the money according to section 11A.24. Investment income and losses attributable to the fund must be credited to the fund.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), premium revenues collected from the school employee insurance program, described in subdivisions 12 and 13, are not exempt from the taxes imposed under section 297I.05, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10. Exemption. (a) The public employee insurance program and, where applicable, the employers participating in it are exempt from chapters 60A, 62A, 62C, 62D, 62E, and 62H, section 471.617, subdivisions 2 and 3, and the bidding requirements of section 471.6161.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the school employee insurance program, described in subdivisions 12 and 13, is a contributing member of the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association and must pay assessments made by the association on the premium revenue attributed to the school employee insurance program, prorated as provided in section 62E.11, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 11. Definitions. (a) For purposes of subdivisions 11 to 16, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given.

(b) "Eligible employee" means an employee of a school employer, a dependent of such an employee, a retiree, or other person, who is eligible for health insurance coverage under the school employer's plan.

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(d) "School employer" means a school district as defined in section 120A.05, service cooperative as defined in section 123A.21, intermediate district as defined in section 136D.01, Cooperative Center for Vocational Education as defined in section 123A.22, regional management information center as defined in section 123A.23, or an education unit organized under a joint powers agreement under section 471.59.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 12. School employee insurance program. The commissioner shall develop and administer within the public employees insurance program a separately rated and administered program for eligible employees of school employers, to be called the school employee insurance program. The initial offerings shall be the PEIP Advantage, Advantage Value, and Advantage HSA plans offered by the public employee insurance program. Health coverage offered through the school employee insurance program shall be made available beginning January 1, 2011.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 13. Enrollment; school employee insurance program. (a) A school employer that provides health coverage to eligible employees or contributes money to pay for all or part of the cost of health coverage for eligible employees, must purchase such coverage through the school employee insurance program under subdivision 12. School employers described in paragraph (b) may opt out as described in paragraphs (b) to (e).

(b) Each exclusive representative of employees of a school employer which, on January 1, 2010, was individually self-insured or self-insured as a group shall determine whether the employees it represents will participate in the school employee insurance program, in the same manner described in subdivision 5, paragraph (b). Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) below apply only to school employees of the school employers described in this paragraph.

(c) School employees not represented by an exclusive representative may enter the school employee insurance program in the same manner described in subdivision 5, paragraph (c).

(d) School employees who do not enter the program upon first becoming eligible for participation are ineligible to participate for four years and must be pooled and rated separately from the other enrollees in the school employee insurance program for the first four years after entering the program. This paragraph does not apply to a school employee upon later becoming a member of a school employee group that has not declined participation.

(e) The decision of an exclusive representative of school employees or, in the case of unorganized employees, the decision of a school district, to enter into the school employee insurance program is irrevocable and applies to all future years.

(f) Health coverage provided under the school employee insurance program to a retired employee of a school district, or to a dependent of the retired employee, must not be reduced as compared to the coverage to which the retired employee or dependent was entitled prior to enrollment in the school employee insurance program.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 14. School Employee Insurance Committee. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all plan design decisions, including all pilot or demonstration programs in which school employees participate, must first be developed by the School Employee Insurance Committee in consultation with the commissioner or the commissioner's designee and other consultants as the committee sees fit. This paragraph does not apply to the initial offerings specified in subdivision 12.

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(b) The committee must be composed of 14 members who represent school district employees and employers in equal number. The employee representatives shall be appointed as follows: four shall be appointed by Education Minnesota, one shall be appointed by the Service Employees International Union, one shall be appointed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, and one shall be appointed by the Minnesota School Employees Association. The seven school employer representatives who serve on the School Employee Insurance Committee must be appointed by the Minnesota School Boards Association. Members of the committee shall be appointed no later than August 1, 2009, and shall serve at the will of the appointing organization.

(c) The School Employee Insurance Committee members are eligible for compensation and expense reimbursement under section 15.0575, subdivision 3. In addition, the actual salary lost by a committee member or cost charged by an employer of a committee member for time missed while performing the duties of a committee member must be reimbursed to the committee member.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 15. Reinsurance. The commissioner may, on behalf of the program, participate in an insured or self-insured reinsurance pool.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 43A.316, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 16. Nonidentifiable aggregate claims data from past coverage. Upon request by the commissioner, entities that are providing or have provided coverage to eligible employees of school employers within two years before the effective date of this section, shall provide to the commissioner at no charge nonidentifiable aggregate claims data for that coverage. The information must include data relating to employee group benefit sets, demographics, and claims experience. Notwithstanding section 13.203, Minnesota service cooperatives must comply with this subdivision.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62E.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:

Subd. 23. Contributing member. "Contributing member" means those companies regulated under chapter 62A and offering, selling, issuing, or renewing policies or contracts of accident and health insurance; health maintenance organizations regulated under chapter 62D; nonprofit health service plan corporations regulated under chapter 62C; community integrated service networks regulated under chapter 62N; fraternal benefit societies regulated under chapter 64B; the Minnesota employees insurance program established in section 43A.317, effective July 1, 1993; ~~and~~ joint self-insurance plans regulated under chapter 62H; and the school employee insurance program created under section 43A.316. For the purposes of determining liability of contributing members pursuant to section 62E.11 payments received from or on behalf of Minnesota residents for coverage by a health maintenance organization or, a community integrated service network, or the school employee insurance program shall be considered to be accident and health insurance premiums.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62E.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Creation and membership; tax exemption. (a) There is established a Comprehensive Health Association to promote the public health and welfare of the state of Minnesota with membership consisting of all insurers; self-insurers; fraternals; joint self-insurance plans regulated under chapter 62H; the Minnesota employees insurance program established in section 43A.317, effective July 1, 1993; the school employee insurance program created under section 43A.316, subdivision 12; health maintenance organizations; and community integrated service networks licensed or authorized to do business in this state.

(b) The Comprehensive Health Association is exempt from the taxes imposed under chapter 297I and any other laws of this state and all property owned by the association is exempt from taxation.

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Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 62E.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Allocation of losses. (a) Each contributing member of the association shall share the losses due to claims expenses of the comprehensive health insurance plan for plans issued or approved for issuance by the association, and shall share in the operating and administrative expenses incurred or estimated to be incurred by the association incident to the conduct of its affairs. Claims expenses of the state plan which exceed the premium payments allocated to the payment of benefits shall be the liability of the contributing members. Contributing members shall share in the claims expense of the state plan and operating and administrative expenses of the association in an amount equal to the ratio of the contributing member's total accident and health insurance premium, received from or on behalf of Minnesota residents as divided by the total accident and health insurance premium, received by all contributing members from or on behalf of Minnesota residents, as determined by the commissioner. Payments made by the state to a contributing member for medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, or general assistance medical care services according to chapters 256, 256B, and 256D shall be excluded when determining a contributing member's total premium.

(b) In making the allocation of losses provided in paragraph (a) in each future year, the association's assessment against the school employee insurance program must be based on premiums received by the school employee insurance program in that future year from the school employers that, on May 1, 2009, were receiving health care coverage from a contributing member of the association. The association shall assess the premiums paid in each future year by those employers at the same rate as premiums paid to other members of the association. For purposes of this calculation, premiums of the program used must be net of rate credits and retroactive rate refunds on the same basis as the premiums of other association members.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 297I.05, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Health maintenance organizations, nonprofit health service plan corporations, ~~and~~ community integrated service networks, and the school employee insurance program. (a) A tax is imposed on health maintenance organizations, community integrated service networks, and nonprofit health care service plan corporations. The rate of tax is equal to one percent of gross premiums less return premiums on all direct business received by the organization, network, or corporation or its agents in Minnesota, in cash or otherwise, in the calendar year.

(b) A tax is imposed on the school employee insurance program created under section 43A.316, subdivision 12. The rate of tax imposed for each year shall be the rate specified in paragraph (a) and shall be assessed upon gross premiums less return premiums received by the school employee insurance program in that calendar year from school employers that, on May 1, 2009, were receiving health care coverage from an entity that is required to pay the tax under paragraph (a). The commissioner shall assess the premiums paid in each year by those employers at the same rate as premiums paid by entities taxed under paragraph (a).

(c) The commissioner shall deposit all revenues, including penalties and interest, collected under this chapter from health maintenance organizations, community integrated service networks, ~~and~~ nonprofit health service plan corporations, and the school employee insurance program in the health care access fund. Refunds of overpayments of tax imposed by this subdivision must be paid from the health care access fund. There is annually appropriated from the health care access fund to the commissioner the amount necessary to make any refunds of the tax imposed under this subdivision.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 297I.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Public employees insurance program. Premiums paid to the public employees insurance program under section 43A.316 are exempt from the taxes imposed under this chapter, except for premiums paid to the school employee insurance program as provided in section 297I.05, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).

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Sec. 15. APPROPRIATION.

(a) $425,000 is appropriated from the insurance trust fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.316, subdivision 9, to the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget for fiscal year 2010 and $541,000 for fiscal year 2011 for the administrative responsibilities created in this act.

(b) The commissioner of management and budget shall impose an enrollment fee upon the premium charged for the first three months of coverage under the school employee insurance program created in this act in the amount of $106,000 to cover the costs incurred by the commissioner under paragraph (a). The commissioner shall deposit the enrollment fees in the insurance trust fund.

Sec. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 15 are effective for coverage to begin January 1, 2011."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to insurance; requiring school districts to obtain employee health coverage through the public employees insurance program; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 43A.316, subdivisions 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 62E.02, subdivision 23; 62E.10, subdivision 1; 62E.11, subdivision 5; 297I.05, subdivision 5; 297I.15, subdivision 3."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.

The report was adopted.

Faust from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

S. F. No. 1012, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environment and natural resources.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the first unofficial engrossment pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

S. F. No. 1331, A bill for an act relating to elections; moving the state primary from September to June and making conforming changes; updating certain ballot and voting system requirements; changing certain election administration provisions; authorizing early voting; expanding requirements and authorizations for postsecondary institutions to report resident student information to the secretary of state for voter registration purposes; changing certain absentee ballot requirements and provisions; requiring a special election for certain vacancies in nomination; changing the special election requirements for vacancies in Congressional offices; requiring an affidavit of candidacy to state the candidate's residence address and telephone number; changing municipal precinct and ward boundary requirements for certain cities; imposing additional requirements on polling place challengers; changing certain caucus and campaign provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 10A.31, subdivision 6; 10A.321; 10A.322, subdivision 1; 10A.323; 103C.305, subdivisions 1, 3; 135A.17, subdivision 2; 201.016, subdivisions 1a, 2; 201.022, subdivision 1; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.091, by

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