HB389 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Patterson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Retirement System, law enforcement officers, correctional officer, firefighter, or state policeman, Tier I classification, Secs. 36-27-1, 36-27-16, 36-27-24 am'd.

Summary

HB389 would reclassify correctional officers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and state policemen as Tier I retirement-plan members regardless of hire date, removing them from Tier II.

What This Bill Does

It redefines Tier I Plan Member to include those public safety roles regardless of date, and defines Tier II Plan Member to exclude them. As a result, members in these roles would be governed by Tier I retirement rules (benefits calculations and eligibility) instead of Tier II. The bill also changes how earnable compensation, contributions, and retirement ages differ between Tier I and Tier II, affecting those moved and their employers. It amends Sections 36-27-1, 36-27-16, and 36-27-24 and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Correctional officers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and state policemen would be reclassified as Tier I plan members, changing how their retirement benefits are calculated and how much they and their employers contribute.
• Other retirement system members and their employers may be indirectly affected because the mix of Tier I and Tier II members changes, influencing contribution levels and benefit calculations across the system.

Key Provisions

• Redefines Tier I Plan Member to include correctional officers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and state policemen regardless of hire date.
• Redefines Tier II Plan Member to exclude those same roles.
• Specifies that moved members would be subject to Tier I rules for earning, averaging final compensation (3-year lookback) and contributions (7.5% broadly, with 10% for state policemen; Tier II would use a 5-year lookback and different contribution rates).
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Retirement Systems