Committee advances bill letting PAQC staff join judicial retirement system

The Senate Committee on Retirement advanced Senate Bill 216 (LC560220), which would allow employees of the Prosecuting Attorney's Qualification Commission (PAQC) to join the judicial retirement system if they were employed by June 30, 2026 and are not already members.

Sen. Robertson introduced the measure and described how the bill clarifies placement for PAQC employees and requires individuals who elect membership to notify the retirement board and make any past-due contributions to become whole in the system. Ian Heap, director of the PAQC, told the committee the change would affect 29 people and that only one person is currently in the classification.

Committee members asked about actuarial and liability effects for shifting a PAQC employee into the plan. Witnesses explained that calculations can create a short-term increase in accrued liability for the system depending on an individual’s salary, vesting and projected retirement timing. The committee discussed mechanics for catch-up payments and the board notice requirement described in the bill.

Sen. Goodman moved to pass SB216 (LC560220); Sen. McLaren seconded. The committee approved the bill by affirmation; the committee recorded the outcome as carried without a roll-call tally.

The bill now moves to the next committee/calendar step in the legislature. No further details on implementation timelines or required administrative rule changes were specified during testimony.