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Minutes for HB2593 - Committee on Insurance and Pensions
Short Title
Reducing the KPERS working after retirement employer contribution rate to only the statutory rate and decreasing the waiting period to 60 days for certain retirants employed by a school district for a period ending June 30, 2024.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Chairperson Johnson asked for approval of the meeting minutes for Jan. 12, Jan. 19, Jan. 24, Jan. 26 & Jan. 30. Representative Neighbor moved, Representative Rhiley seconded, motion carried.
Chairperson Johnson opened the hearing on HB2593. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor, gave an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)
Alan Conroy, KPERS Executive Director, gave neutral informational testimony regarding when a member retires from KPERS, there are statutory rules regarding that retiree returning to work for a KPERS employer in a covered position. (Attachment 2)
Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, provided neutral testimony intended to provide the committee background information on how the pandemic has affected the number of licensed teachers, substitute teachers, school staff, principals and superintendents. Dr. Watson stood for questions. (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4)
Representative Chuck Schmidt provided proponent testimony stating the bill would help with the teacher shortage that Kansas schools are currently experiencing. The bill removes the 30% penalty for a period of 2 years. Representative Schmidt stood for questions. (Attachment 5)
Jerry Henn, Assistant Director, USA Kansas, Kansas School Superintendents Association provided proponent testimony stating in the short term this bill will help our school districts hire licensed staff to work with students. It doesn't solve the problem, but it provides us the opportunity to establish a plan for a longer term solution. (Attachment 6)
Proponent written testimony:
Timothy Graham, Director of Government Relations & Coalitions, Kansas National Education Association, provided written testimony on HB2593. (Attachment 7)
Leah Filter, Director of Governmental Relations, Kansas Association of School Boards, provided written testimony on HB2593. (Attachment 8)
Chairperson closed the hearing on HB2593.
