Members,
Today marks the start of the 108th legislature, second regular session. I am writing to you to ask for your help in contacting senators about a bill that will benefit all of us.
The biggest goal of the STAN Board and my top priority this legislative session is obtaining the successful passage of LB196. LB196 is legislation which was introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar which proposes three important changes to the State Patrol retirement system. Below is a summary of the current version of LB196.
First, LB196 would change the member retirement contribution rates from either 16% (tier 1 member) or 17% (tier 2 member) down to 8% for all current and future members. To put this into perspective, that would put approximately $468.00 (pretax) dollars into a current step one Trooper’s monthly paycheck. That is approximately $5,616.00 (pretax) annually. Those numbers for a current step fifteen Trooper are approximately $631.00 monthly or $7,577.00 annually (pre-tax). Obviously, those numbers will be different for other positions and pay lines. But as you can see, a contribution rate decrease would put a decent portion of the pay you earned back into your own pocket today, without a reduction in your future retirement benefits.
Second, LB 196 proposes changes to the death benefits received by surviving spouses and dependent children of members. Currently the surviving spouse or dependent child under the age of 19 receives 75% of the member’s annuity after the member’s death. LB196 proposes that the surviving spouse or dependent child under the age of 19 receive 100% of the member’s annuity after the members death for members retiring on or after July 1, 2024.
Third, LB196 proposes changes to how the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is calculated for current and future retirees. Currently the COLA is calculated using the lesser actual change in the consumer price index (CPI) or 2.5% (tier 1)/1% (tier 2). LB196 proposes the COLA be calculated using the lesser actual change in the consumer price index (CPI) or 4% for all members. This is meant to better fight the higher-than-average rates of inflation we have seen the last several years.
Last session LB196 was introduced and sent to be reviewed by the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee. A hearing was held on March 2, 2023, where the retirement systems committee called for an actuarial study to be conducted on the fiscal impact of the bill. The study was conducted and a second hearing was held on November 9, 2023.
At the November 9th hearing, the findings of the actuarial study were presented to the retirement systems committee. This was followed by testimony in support of LB196 provided by myself as the Legislative Liaison representing STAN, Scott Black the Retiree Representative for STAN, and Denise Wagner (widow of Trooper Mark Wagner). I have attached copies of the testimony that Scott and I provided to the retirement committee. I unfortunately do not have a copy of Denise’s testimony but can attest to both its weight and clarity on why the death benefit for surviving spouses needs to be changed to 100%. We had an excellent turnout from both active and retired members and appear to have left an impression with the retirement committee. I would like to say thanks again to everyone who showed up and displayed their support in that hearing.
Currently LB196 is a carry-over bill from the last session and still sitting in the retirement systems committee. For LB196 to move out of committee we need a majority (four of the six committee members) to vote to advance it to the floor for debate by the whole legislature.
This is where I am asking for help from the membership. The board and I have and will continue to provide testimony on behalf of STAN, but phone calls and emails from as many members as possible could influence the Committee members who may still be undecided. Below is a list of the Senators on the Retirement Systems Committee and their contact information. I think it’s important to reach out to all the members, but I have placed an asterisk by the committee members that either appeared to not support LB196 or we are unaware of their support of LB196.
Sen. Mike McDonnell, Chairperson<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…>
(402) 471-2710
Email: mmcdonnell(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:mmcdonnell@leg.ne.gov>
Sen. Teresa Ibach, Vice Chairperson<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…> *
(402) 471-2805
Email: tibach(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:tibach@leg.ne.gov>
Sen. Robert Clements<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…> *
(402) 471-2613
Email: rclements(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:rclements@leg.ne.gov>
Sen. Danielle Conrad<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…>
(402) 471-2720
Email: dconrad(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:dconrad@leg.ne.gov>
Sen. Brian Hardin<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…> *
(402) 471-2802
Email: bhardin(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:bhardin@leg.ne.gov>
Sen. Tony Vargas<https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?SenatorID=…>
(402) 471-2721
Email: tvargas(a)leg.ne.gov<mailto:tvargas@leg.ne.gov>
Members, what I am asking of you is that within the next week or sooner please contact the members of the Retirement Systems Committee and ask them to support advancing LB196 out of committee and onto the legislative floor. This is a short legislative session, and we need to be timely and deliberate.
Here are a few talking points for when you are asking for their support either by phone or email.
* How you believe that passage of LB196 would critically aid in the Nebraska State Patrol’s ability to both recruit and retain troopers. Therefore, helping to maintain the needed manpower provided by the Patrol to ensure a safe and secure Nebraska for all citizens.
* Sharing personal perspectives on how any of the three proposed changes in LB196 would affect you or your family.
* If you are a constituent of a committee Senator, it would be especially impactful for you to mention that in your communication.
I understand that this is a big ask, and honestly if we get LB196 out of committee, I will be asking for your assistance again with gathering support from all the Senators to secure the passage of the Bill. I hope I have done an adequate job in explaining how much of a positive impact LB196 would have for all members.
Getting LB196 out of committee is the crucial first step in this process, and the STAN Board will need all your help. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or any members of the STAN board.
Thank you,
Lucas Bolton
Legislative Liaison
State Troopers Association of Nebraska
STAN
PO Box 6729
Lincoln, NE 68506
Cell Phone: 402-278-2468
