Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 080401

Printable PDF Format

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 080401

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-248-08

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: ADDITIONAL RETIREMENT CREDITS-FORENSIC EMPLOYEES

Introduced: 2/6/2008

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 3/4/2008

Agenda Date: 3/4/2008

Agenda Item Number: 11A11

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS SB 800, HB 531 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION ALLOWING FORENSIC EMPLOYEES OF MEDICAL EXAMINER OFFICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL RETIREMENT CREDITS TO UPGRADE THEIR PREVIOUS SERVICE IN THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO SPECIAL RISK SERVICE AND AUTHORIZING BUT NOT REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PURCHASE UPGRADED CREDIT ON BEHALF OF SUCH EMPLOYEES

Indexes:

LEGISLATURE

Sponsors:	Joe A. Martinez, Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	3/4/2008	11A11	Adopted				P

Budget and Finance Committee	2/12/2008	2L	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Martinez that this proposed resolution be forwarded to the County Commission with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Diaz. Commissioner Martinez explained this proposed resolution would not have a fiscal impact on the County. He clarified forensic employees previously had special risk status; they handled blood samples before the knowledge of AIDS without special risk status. He noted that newly hired forensic employees had special risk status. In response to Commissioner Sosa’s request concerning clarification regarding the County’s liability, Special Assistant to the County Manager Jennifer Glazer-Moon clarified the employers were only liable if they chose to purchase the upgraded credit; employers were not required to purchase the upgraded credit. She noted the County estimated the fiscal impact to the County would be $450,000 for last two years if the County Commission adopted legislation to purchase the upgraded credit. Commissioner Diaz asked that he be listed as a co-sponsor. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote.

County Attorney	2/6/2008		Assigned	Jess M. McCarty

County Attorney	2/6/2008		Referred	Budget and Finance Committee	2/12/2008

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS SB 800, HB 531 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION ALLOWING FORENSIC EMPLOYEES OF MEDICAL EXAMINER OFFICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL RETIREMENT CREDITS TO UPGRADE THEIR PREVIOUS SERVICE IN THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO SPECIAL RISK SERVICE AND AUTHORIZING BUT NOT REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PURCHASE UPGRADED CREDIT ON BEHALF OF SUCH EMPLOYEES

BODY
WHEREAS, public employees working as forensic employees of medical examiner offices and law enforcement agencies are employed in an inherently dangerous profession; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the Florida Legislature added forensic employees of medical examiner offices and law enforcement agencies to the Special Risk Class of the Florida Retirement System; and
WHEREAS, the 2005 legislation was prospective in nature and did not allow such forensic employees to purchase retirement credits to upgrade previous service to special risk; and
WHEREAS, under the 2005 legislation, such employees who had dedicated many years of their career to this profession could not retroactively apply special risk status to their previous years of service; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature previously has allowed public employees who are emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and fire prevention or fire fighting training experts to purchase previous credit for upgraded service to the special risk class; and
WHEREAS, forensic employees of medical examiner offices and law enforcement agencies deserve the opportunity to purchase such credits for previous years of service; and
WHEREAS, bills have been filed for consideration during the 2008 state legislative session, SB 800 by Senator Alex Villalobos and HB 531 by Representative Will Weatherford, that address this issue,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida legislature to pass SB 800, HB 531 or similar legislation allowing forensic employees of medical examiners offices and law enforcement agencies to purchase additional retirement credits to upgrade their previous service in the Florida Retirement System to special risk service and authorizing but not requiring an employer to purchase upgraded credit on behalf of such employees.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation, and Representative Will Weatherford.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbying team to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above; and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2008 State Legislative Package.