HB 1729: Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; postretirement employment; limitations; codification; effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its title from a 'new law' to an 'amendment' of existing Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) law. The Senate version reorganizes the text and clarifies that the bill modifies Section 914 of the statutes. It also adds detailed provisions about when retirees can return to work, including specific notice requirements, compensation limits, and consequences for exceeding earnings thresholds.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from creating entirely new law to amending existing OPERS statutes, making it a modification of current retirement rules rather than a standalone new section.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill's legal designation from 'new law' to 'amendment' and updated the title to reflect that it amends 74 O.S. 2021, Section 914.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for participating employers to submit retirement information (last day on job, last day on payroll, unused sick leave) to the retirement system by the 15th of the retirement month.

Added employer liability for errors in submitted information that could disqualify retirement eligibility, requiring employers to reemploy members or retain them on payroll for up to two months to correct errors.

Added requirements for participating employers to notify the System when a retiree is employed, including the start date and when maximum compensation is reached.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions for retirees elected or appointed to state or political subdivision positions, prohibiting retirement benefits for any month they serve in such positions.

Added an option for retirees to elect not to receive retirement benefits while reemployed for a minimum of 36 consecutive months, which would count as participating service.

FISCAL

Added provisions requiring both employers and retirees to make contributions to the System when a retiree returns to work, with post-retirement benefits calculated based on reemployment service.

Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill → Floor (House) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to focus specifically on postretirement employment for retired district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, replacing the broader language about general public employees. The floor version adds specific earnings limits for these positions and clarifies that retired prosecutors cannot work within their own district attorney's office for 60 days after retirement. The bill also updates the effective date to November 1, 2025, and removes references to other retirement system provisions that were in the committee substitute.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from general public employees to specifically retired district attorneys and assistant district attorneys only.

ELIGIBILITY

Postretirement employment authorization is now limited exclusively to retired district attorneys and assistant district attorneys rather than all public employees.

Added specific earnings limits of $25,000 or $30,000 for retired prosecutors depending on age, with adjustments tied to Social Security Administration limits.

REQUIREMENT

Added a 60-day waiting period prohibiting retired prosecutors from working within their own district attorney's office after retirement.

Removed detailed requirements about general retirement notice filing and employer information submission that applied to all public employees.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'last day of preretirement employment' and clarified that paid leave counts as employment for this purpose.

TIMELINE

Effective date changed from unspecified to November 1, 2025.

Engrossed → Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change its classification from an 'Engrossed House Bill' to a 'Senate Committee Substitute,' indicating it has been revised by the Senate. The substantive policy content regarding postretirement employment for district attorneys and indigent defense system employees remains largely unchanged, with the primary modifications being formatting updates and the addition of a new section detailing how post-retirement service credit is calculated when retirees return to work. These changes reflect the legislative process rather than significant policy shifts.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and postretirement employment rules for district attorneys and indigent defense system employees; no substantive change to applicability.

TECHNICAL

Changed document title from 'Engrossed House Bill' to 'Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill' and updated bill numbers from RBH No. 13077 to RBS No. 2017.

Revised the act description to clarify it amends 74 O.S. 2021, Section 914 rather than creating a new section.

Updated page headers and footer information to reflect the new Senate Committee Substitute status and revised request numbers.

REQUIREMENT

Added new provisions detailing how post-retirement service credit is calculated when retirees return to employment, including two methods for computing additional benefits based on reemployment duration and timing.

Reorganized and renumbered existing sections regarding retirement notice requirements, information submission deadlines, and earnings limitations for retired district attorneys and indigent defense employees.

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand postretirement employment eligibility to include the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, alongside district attorneys. The changes also updated the page numbering and bill reference numbers to reflect its progression from introduction to engrossed status in the legislative process.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an eligible employer for retired district attorneys and assistant district attorneys, in addition to district attorneys' offices.

ELIGIBILITY

Added the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to the list of eligible employers for postretirement employment, allowing retired prosecutors to work for both district attorneys' offices and the indigent defense system.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the 60-day waiting period language to apply to employment with both district attorneys' offices and the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Adjusted earnings limitation rules to include the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, ensuring retired members can work for both entities under the same salary caps and benefit forfeiture rules.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill reference numbers from RBH No. 11432 to RBH No. 13077 and changed the status from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' to reflect legislative progress.

Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; postretirement employment; limitations; codification; effective date.

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