Bill > HB438

This bill amends the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia to allow certain sworn law enforcement officers, including those in the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as officers, noncommissioned officers, or troopers, officers and agents of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), game wardens of the Department of Natural Resources, alcohol and tobacco officers or agents of the Department of Revenue, and the commissioner and deputy commissioner of the DPS, to be eligible for regular retirement benefits at age 55, provided they have at least ten years of creditable service. It also modifies provisions related to disability benefits for these officers, ensuring they receive appropriate allowances if permanently disabled in the line of duty, and allows certain law enforcement officers to purchase additional creditable service for prior service with local governments under specific conditions. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, contingent on it being concurrently funded according to the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law, otherwise, it will be automatically repealed.