Bill > AB1054

This bill establishes a Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) specifically for California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) firefighters, who are part of State Bargaining Units 5 and 8, respectively. The program aims to address recruitment and retention challenges in these public safety agencies by allowing experienced personnel who are eligible for retirement to continue working for an additional one to five years while simultaneously accruing their retirement benefits. Importantly, the implementation of this program is subject to collective bargaining and must result in either cost savings or be cost-neutral, with funding coming entirely from enrolled members' contributions and accrued interest. The bill recognizes the increasingly complex and dangerous missions of CHP and CAL FIRE, and seeks to leverage DROP as a strategy to retain highly trained personnel. The Department of Human Resources will work with the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) board to develop the program, ensuring it complies with federal tax code and state revenue regulations. Participation is voluntary and will be available to members who meet the minimum service requirements for retirement.

Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1054