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Bill > HB2579


VA HB2579

VRS; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers, animal control officers, etc.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2025
In Committee
01/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers, animal control officers, and municipal park rangers. Allows local governments to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to (i) full-time salaried 911 dispatchers, (ii) full-time animal control officers, and (iii) sworn municipal park rangers qualifying as conservators of the peace. The bill provides that such enhanced retirement benefits apply only to service earned in such positions on or after July 1, 2026, but allows an employer, as that term is defined in relevant law, to provide such enhanced retirement benefits for service earned in such positions before July 1, 2026, in addition to service earned on or after that date. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) to expand enhanced retirement benefits for specific public service employees, including full-time salaried 911 dispatchers, full-time animal control officers, and sworn municipal park rangers who qualify as conservators of the peace. The enhanced benefits, which are equivalent to those provided to state police officers, will apply only to service earned in these positions on or after July 1, 2026, though employers have the discretion to provide these enhanced benefits for service earned before that date as well. The bill allows local governments to provide retirement benefits similar to those of state police officers for these roles, with options for early retirement and post-retirement supplements. The legislation specifically addresses retirement allowance calculations, vesting requirements, and gives employers the flexibility to elect these enhanced benefits for qualifying employees in hazardous duty positions. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026, giving local governments time to prepare for and implement the new retirement benefit provisions.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Left in Appropriations (on 02/04/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2579
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Virginia Retirement System (HB2579) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020776.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2579/text/HB2579
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