An Act To Ensure Benefits for State Retirees

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  current law requires that cost-of-living adjustments in retirement benefits for state employees must be made when there is a percentage change in the Consumer Price Index; and

Whereas,  there has been a percentage change in the Consumer Price Index; and

Whereas,  it is imperative that this legislation take effect immediately so that the benefits for state retirees do not decrease; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §1358, sub-§1, ¶A,  as repealed and replaced by PL 1985, c. 693, §11, is amended to read:

Sec. 2. 4 MRSA §1358, sub-§1, ¶D,  as repealed and replaced by PL 1985, c. 693, §11, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §17806, sub-§1, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 1985, c. 801, §§5 and 7, is amended to read:

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §17806, sub-§1, ¶C,  as enacted by PL 1985, c. 801, §§5 and 7, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 5 MRSA §18407, sub-§4, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 1985, c. 801, §§5 and 7, is amended to read:

Sec. 6. 5 MRSA §18407, sub-§4, ¶C,  as enacted by PL 1985, c. 801, §§5 and 7, is repealed.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill ensures that the cost-of-living adjustment to retirement benefits based on any percentage change in the Consumer Price Index does not affect the benefits of state retirees unless that change is an increase in the Consumer Price Index.