AGENDA


Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee

Utah Legislature

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 • 7:30 a.m. • Room 30 House Building

 

Approximate

 Time Frame

7:30      1.   Committee Business

                         Call to order

                            Approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2011, and November 16, 2011 meetings

 

7:35      2.   Retirement Eligibility -- Termination of Employment

In order to be eligible to retire from Utah Retirement Systems (URS), an employee must cease employment with all URS-participating employers. This restriction, as with post-retirement restrictions, is provided to prevent practices that incentivize individuals to retire early and, therefore, create additional expense to the retirement systems. The restrictions include discontinuing service from employment unrelated to the job from which the employee is retiring, including a part-time moonlighting job, a position as a part-time appointed board member, or a part-time elected official. Recently, "forced" resignations from these part-time positions have resulted in questions about the policy.

 

                             Daniel D. Andersen, Legal Counsel, Utah Retirement Systems

 

7:50      3.   Independent Entities Study

Title 63E, Independent Entities Code, created the Retirement and Independent Entities Committee and established its duties related to the oversight of independent entities. At the direction of the chairs, the committee staff has developed "A Guide to Utah's Independent Entities" to inventory and explain the purpose of existing independent entities. The committee will hear an explanation of the legal status of independent entities and of the guide.

 

                         Peter Asplund, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

                             Rachel Stuart, Research Assistant, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

 

8:05     4.   Public Employees Health Program (PEHP) Updates

PEHP will give an update to the committee on Active Enrollment, Clinical Health Information Exchange (CHIE), Autism Pilot Program, and Affordable Health Care Act Ruling.

 

                         R. Chet Loftis, Group Insurance Director, PEHP

 

8:20     5.   Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority -- Request

The Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority is an independent entity classified as an independent state agency required to operate and maintain a scenic and historic railroad in Heber Valley. The authority is composed of eight members and has a 2012 operating budget of $1.7 million. A representative of the authority will describe to the committee the authority's goals, duties, and challenges.

 

                         Mark Nelson, General Manager, Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority

 

8:35     6.   Other Items / Adjourn