Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB901: AN ACT relating to retirement benefits for employees participating in hazardous positions in the County Employees Retirement System.
Status: In committee, March 11, 2026
Create a new section of KRS 78.510 to 78.852 to allow employers participating in the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) to make a one-time election to offer members who work in hazardous positions who are hired on or after January 1, 2014, but prior to July 1, 2027, so that, in lieu of continued participation in the hybrid cash balance plan (Tier III benefits), these members receive the benefits provided to members in a hazardous position who began participating immediately prior to January 1, 2014 (Tier II benefits); allow for employers in CERS to make a one-time election to opt in to the benefit change by July 1, 2027; allow members who are employed by an employer that makes a one-time election to make a one-time election to opt into the benefit change within 30 days of the employer election and allow a member to pay the costs to convert any other Tier III benefit service in a hazardous position to Tier II benefit service; provide that all new hires after July 1, 2027, in hazardous positions for any employer that makes a one-time election receive Tier II benefits; require that accumulated contributions in the hybrid cash balance plan remain in the member's account; provide that any member eligible to make a one-time irrevocable election to change their benefits shall not have the option to change or make a new election under any circumstances relating to a change in employment or reemployment with a participating employer; amend KRS 61.5955 to exempt members who are participating in Tier II benefits based upon an election of an employer pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 61.680 to allow members who have Tier II and Tier III service to consolidate that service for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits; amend KRS 78.510 to add December 31, 2013, to the definition of "membership date" for members whose benefit tier changes pursuant to this Act; amend KRS 78.5520 to allow members to pay the cost of converting any other Tier III service in
What the bill says
An act relating to retirement benefits for employees participating in hazardous positions in the County Employees Retirement System.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to retirement benefits for employees participating in hazardous positions in the County Employees Retirement System. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 78.510 TO 78.852 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: Notwithstanding any provision of KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852 to the contrary: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Employer's effective election date" means the last day of the system's plan year in the year in which the employer has made an election as provided by subsection (2) of this section, provided the employer has met the requirements of this section; (b) "Tier II benefits" means the benefits provided to a member who began participating in the County Employees Retirement System immediately prior to January 1, 2014; and (c) "Tier III benefits" means the benefits provided to a member who began participating in the County Employees Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014. (2) (a) Effective July 1, 2027, and subject to the provisions of this section, employers participating in the County Employees Retirement System may make a one (1) time irrevocable election to provide Tier II benefits to employees of the employer who are participating in a hazardous position in the County Employees Retirement System with …
Sponsors
- Matthew Lehman (D, HD-067) · primary sponsor
- Mike Clines (R, HD-068)
Latest actions
- : to State Government (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Retirement And Pensions, Sheriffs, Police, City And County, Firefighters And Fire Departments, Effective Dates, Delayed, Counties, Local Government, Cities
Common questions
- What is HB901?
- HB901 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to retirement benefits for employees participating in hazardous positions in the County Employees Retirement System.
- What does HB901 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to retirement benefits for employees participating in hazardous positions in the County Employees Retirement System.
- What is the status of HB901?
- In committee as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: to State Government (H) (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB901?
- Matthew Lehman (D, HD-067), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB901?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb901.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.