Bill > HB278

This bill, known as the Public Pension Forfeiture Act, establishes that individuals convicted of certain offenses related to their public service will forfeit their earned service credit towards their public pension. A "campaign offense" is defined as a felony related to campaign practices committed while holding or seeking public office, and a "public corruption offense" is a broader category of felonies committed while in public trust, including those involving bribery, kickbacks, or offenses where public employment was essential to their commission. "Public employment" refers to any position where retirement service credit can be earned, and "public trust position" includes elected or appointed roles requiring senate confirmation. If a person with earned service credit is convicted of either a campaign or public corruption offense, all their service credit will be forfeited, and their pension payments related to that credit will cease, with any remaining contributions refunded, unless the conviction relates to pre-retirement employment and the person later returns to public service. The court will order this forfeiture, but it can be temporarily stayed pending appeals or specific family court matters, though not for other post-conviction relief. This act applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2016.