Committee advances firefighter supplemental-benefit changes, endorses 55-year eligibility

The committee voted unanimously to give a "due pass" recommendation to LC560711s, a substitute bill that would create a supplemental benefit structure for firefighters while aiming to avoid the tax and legal complications of a qualified retirement plan.

The chair told the panel he had pursued extensive tax and legal due diligence with outside counsel to ensure the change would not be treated as a 401(a) retirement plan and that it would not create a break in service. "What I wanted to do is something for the firefighters to make a real impact," the chair said, adding that the substitute "does not have everything you want" but is designed to be implementable and near-immediate.

Supporters and committee members discussed actuarial context for public pensions. One member noted differences between teacher and firefighter plans and the physical toll on firefighters that underpins the choice of an earlier eligibility age. The proposed substitute reintroduces a 55-year age requirement in some sections and includes eligibility after 15 years of service for certain terminations.

Committee members asked whether lowering the proposed age (to somewhere between 50 and 55) might help retain personnel; others warned that further changes could delay certification and the legislative schedule. The chair said the actuarial recertification and investigation had been completed and indicated an intent to move the bill to the floor quickly.

By voice vote, with members both in the room and online registered as voting "aye," the committee approved the due-pass recommendation. The committee also noted that unrelated language from House Bill 818 (concerning the tax court) was added to section 3 of the substitute.

The committee's recommendation sends LC560711s toward the next procedural steps on the floor; the sponsor and staff said they expected to pursue floor scheduling as soon as possible.