HB1362
To Make Technical Corrections To Title 24 Of The Arkansas Code Concerning Retirement And Pensions.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes technical corrections to Title 24 of the Arkansas Code, which pertains to retirement and pensions. Primarily, it aims to formally establish the title of 'Executive Director of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System' within the existing code. Additionally, it repeals an obsolete provision related to the adoption deadline for pension board rules, specifically a rule that was set to be adopted by May 1, 2004. The bill also removes a redundant statute concerning vacation pay for police department employees, as this subject is already covered in another section of the code. The legislative intent section clarifies that this act is intended to make only technical amendments, not substantive changes, to the Arkansas Code. It also ensures that this act will not repeal or conflict with any other acts passed during the 95th General Assembly's regular session. If conflicts arise, acts from the regular session will take precedence.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System (APERS) and its administrative staff, by formally recognizing the title of its executive director and clarifying its organizational structure. The general public who are members or beneficiaries of APERS may indirectly benefit from clearer administrative procedures. Any entities or individuals who might have previously relied on the now-repealed obsolete rule regarding pension board rule adoption deadlines would also see a benefit in terms of the removal of potentially confusing or outdated statutory references. Furthermore, employees of police departments who were previously covered by the now-redundant vacation pay statute will continue to have their vacation pay governed by the remaining codified provision, ensuring no loss of established benefit.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill is designed to make technical corrections and repeals, and as such, it is unlikely to directly negatively impact any specific group or entity. The removal of the obsolete rule for pension board rule adoption deadlines means that there is no longer a statutory deadline for rules that should have been adopted nearly two decades ago, which could be seen as a minor negative impact if there was an expectation of its continued presence for administrative reference, though its obsolescence negates this. The repeal of the redundant vacation pay statute, § 24-11-429, will not negatively impact police department employees as the bill explicitly states this provision is also codified elsewhere (§ 14-52-106), meaning the protection for vacation pay remains intact. Therefore, any potential negative impacts are minimal and largely administrative in nature due to the streamlining and clarification of existing laws.