2012 Legislation

Passed Bill ¦ Proposed Bills ¦ Bills Listed by Subject Area

Watch Bills ¦ Proposed House Bills ¦ Proposed Senate Bills

Passed Bills
In the 2012 Regular Session, the Florida Legislature passed the following retirement legislation and related bills of significance to members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and other public retirement plans. Passed bills are presented to the Governor and approved before they may be enacted into law. Click on the bill number to access the associated page on "Online Sunshine" for more information (bill text, analyses,amendments, vote histories, etc.). A brief summary of each passed bill follows.

Passed Bills

In the 2012 Regular Session, the Florida Legislature passed the following retirement legislation and related bills of significance to members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and other public retirement plans. Passed bills are presented to the Governor and approved before they may be enacted into law. Click on the bill number to access the associated page on "Online Sunshine" for more information (bill text, analyses,amendments, vote histories, etc.). A brief summary of each passed bill follows.

General Bills Passed - Retirement Bills
Enrolled CS/SB 198, 1st Eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-10 Effective March 23, 2012, this legislation increases to no more than six the number of companies from which contracts may be purchased under the State University System Optional Retirement Program.
Enrolled SB 1986, 1st Eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-126 Effective July 1, 2012, this legislation revises the definitions of the terms "regularly established position" and "temporary position" for purposes of water management district positions within the state retirement system.
Enrolled HB 5005, 1st Eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-146 Effective July 1, 2012, this legislation revises employer contributions for members of each membership class and subclass of the Florida Retirement System; revises allocations from the Florida Retirement System Contributions Clearing Trust Fund to investment plan member accounts; revises employer contributions for members of the State University System Optional Retirement Program, the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program, and the State Community College System Optional Retirement Program.
Enrolled CS/HB 7079 - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-222 Effective July 1, 2012, this legislation changes the Deferred Retirement Option Program deferral ages for members initially enrolled on or after July 1, 2011; amends hardship and loan provisions; revises definition of terms "normal retirement date" and "vested" or "vesting."

Local Bills Passed
Enrolled HB 577 - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-235 Effective October 1, 2012, this legislation relating to the City Pension Fund for Firefighters and Police Officers in the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, authorizes the city to enter into supplemental contract with certain firefighters and police officers to increase amount of pension received by widow or widower or child or children should member lose his or her life or later die from injuries or causes occurring while in discharge of duties; allows joint annuitant who is also lawfully wedded spouse to be eligible for thirteenth check.
Enrolled HB 1301 - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-259 Effective May 4, 2012, this legislation relating to the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, amends definitions; revises provisions relating to retirement pension calculation, funding of share accounts, supplemental pension distribution, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, duty disability pension, member contributions and refunds, rollovers from qualified plans, and actuarial assumptions.
Enrolled HB 1325 - [Passed, Enrolled] Approved, Chapter No. 2012-260 Effective May 4, 2012, this legislation relating to the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, revises provisions relating to West Palm Beach Firefighters Pension Fund; revises definitions; provides for Chapter 175 funds to be used to reduce member contributions to pension fund for specified calendar years; provides that city shall make up certain shortfalls in member contributions; provides for reduction in member contributions for two years; requires members to take lump sum distribution of their entire share account balance within specified time after their termination of employment in certain circumstances; revises availability of loans for certain members.

Proposed Bills
The following retirement bills and related bills of significance to members of the FRS and other public retirement plans have been filed for consideration during the 2012 regular session of the Florida Legislature. The bills listed by subject area and their corresponding summaries on this page represent the most current version of each bill. You can jump to a brief summary via the bill's link in the subject listing below. From there, if you click on the underlined bill number, you will access the "Online Sunshine" legislative page for that bill. At this website, you can view any version of a bill, review a bill's progress and locate any related bills. (Passed bills are shown in boldface type.)

Proposed Bills

The following retirement bills and related bills of significance to members of the FRS and other public retirement plans have been filed for consideration during the 2012 regular session of the Florida Legislature. The bills listed by subject area and their corresponding summaries on this page represent the most current version of each bill. You can jump to a brief summary via the bill's link in the subject listing below. From there, if you click on the underlined bill number, you will access the "Online Sunshine" legislative page for that bill. At this website, you can view any version of a bill, review a bill's progress and locate any related bills. (Passed bills are shown in boldface type.)

Bills Listed by Subject Area
FRS Membership Classes: Elected Officers' Class - HB 1309, SB 1780 Regular Class - HB 1309, SB 1780 Senior Management Service Class - HB 1309, SB 1780 Special Risk Class - HB 365, SB 424, HB 1309, SB 1780
FRS Pension Plan Benefits, Rights and Features: Average Final Compensation - HB 1309, SB 1780 Contributions/Funding - HB 1309, SB 1780, SB 2006, HB 5005 Disability Benefits - HB 365, SB 910 Miscellaneaous - SB 1986, SB 2024, HB 7079 Normal Retirement - HB 525, SB 1280, HB 1309, SB 1334, SB 1780 Other - HB 139, SB 166 Survivor Benefits - SB 542 Vesting - HB 525, SB 1280, HB 1309, SB 1334, SB 1780
FRS Programs: Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) - HB 1309, SB 1780 FRS Investment Plan - HB 525, SB 1280, SB 1334, SB 2006, HB 5005 Senior Management Optional Annuity Program (SMSOAP) - SB 2006, HB 5005 State Community College Optional Retirement Prorgam (SCCORP) - SB 2006, HB 5005 State University System Optional Retirement Program (SUSORP) - SB 198, HB 495, SB 2006, HB 5005
Local Governments: Administration - SB 698, HB 819, HB 1499, SB 2088 Disability Benefits - HB 365, SB 910 Local Bills - HB 577, SB 976, HB 1301, HB 1325, HB 1425
Retirees and Retiree Benefits: Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) - HB 1309, SB 1780 Retired Justices and Judges - SB 660, HB 971, HB 1031, SB 1570

Watch Bills
The following bills are not being analyzed by the Division of Retirement but are listed here for informational purposes. Questions concerning any of these bills should be directed to the sponsor of the bill.
SB 1560 - [Laid on Table] This bill by Senator Thrasher would provide a restriction on employment with state universities or Florida College System institutions for a member of the Legislature; require that a member of the Legislature surrender employment with a state university or a Florida College System institution before seeking reelection; provide that a public officer holding an economic interest in a qualified blind trust does not have a conflict of interest with matters pertaining to that economic interest; require that the Commission on Ethics review the information contained in the public disclosure of financial interests filed by public officers.

Summary of Proposed House Bills
HB 139 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Pafford would introduce definitions and qualifications for domestic partnerships to be recognized by the state with equivalent rights to a marriage.
CS/HB 365 - [Died in H Committee] This substitute bill by Representative Costello would revise provisions relating to benefits paid from the premium tax by a minicipality or special fire control district that has its own pension plan; revise the definition of the term "compensation" or "salary" for the purposes of police officers' pensions.
CS/CS/HB 495 - [Laid on Table, Refer to SB 198] This substitute bill by Representative Jones would increase to no more than six the number of companies from which contracts may be purchased under the State University System Optional Retirement Program.
CS/CS/HB 525 - [Died in H Committee] This substitute bill by Representative Workman would revise definition of terms "normal retirement date" and "vested" or "vesting"; revise provisions relating to early retirement benefit calculation to conform to changes made by act; require new employees to, by default, be enrolled in investment plan.
HB 577 - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
HB 819 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Taylor would specify applicability of Chapter 185, Florida Statutes, to certain consolidated governments; provide that a municipality that has entered into an interlocal agreement to provide police protection services to another incorporated municipality, in its entirety, is eligible to receive the premium taxes reported for the other municipality under certain circumstances; authorize the municipality receiving the police protection services to enact an ordinance levying a tax as provided by law.
CS/CS/HB 971, 3rd Eng. - [Died in H Messages] This substitute bill by Representative Gaetz would provide that if a retired justice or judge is assigned to temporary duty, such assignment does not affect his or her eligibility for benefits under the Florida Retirement System; provide for each expired term or vacancy to be filled by appointment in the same manner as the member whose position is being filled; delete a requirement that the Executive Office of the Governor establish uniform rules of procedure consistent with the State Constitution when suspending for cause a member of a judicial nominating commission.
HB 1031 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Porter would provide for a former justice or judge to be qualified to serve as a retired justice or judge under certain conditions; provide circumstances under which such justice or judge may not serve as a retired justice or judge; exempt retired judges consenting to temporary duty from certain termination and reemployment limitations.
HB 1301 - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
HB 1309 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Taylor would revise and provide provisions relating to the Florida Retirement System, including definitions, election of benefits, employer and employee contributions, the investment plan, the pension plan, optional retirement programs, and the Deferred Retirement Option Program, to reverse changes in the Florida Retirement System made by Chapter 2011-68.
HB 1325 - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
HB 1425 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Ford relating to the Firefighters' Relief and Pension Fund of the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, would provide for compliance with applicable Internal Revenue Code requirements; add optional forms of benefits; provide for retirement after ten years of service; provide for death benefits for survivors; provide definitions; provide for plan termination and forfeitures.
HB 1499 - [Died in H Committee] This bill by Representative Brandes would provide frequency of actuarial reports for retirement systems and plans placed on pension watch list; define term "funded ratio"; create pension watch list for retirement and pension plans failing to achieve specified funded ratio.
HB 5005, 1st eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
CS/HB 7079 - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.

Summary of Proposed Senate Bills
SB 166 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Sobel would introduce definitions and qualifications for domestic partnerships to be recognized by the state with equivalent rights to a marriage.
CS/SB 198, 1st Eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
SB 424 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Smith would revise the criteria for membership in the Special Risk Class to include court deputies.
SB 542 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Smith would provide that a designated beneficiary of a member of the State Retirement System is eligible to receive the same death benefits as a joint annuitant of the member.
SB 660 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Dean would provide for a former justice or judge to be qualified to serve as a retired justice or judge under certain conditions; provide circumstances under which such justice or judge may not serve as a retired justice or judge; exempt retired judges consenting to temporary duty from certain termination and reemployment limitations.
CS/SB 698 - [Died in S Committee] This substitute bill by Senator Wise would specify applicability of Chapter 185, Florida Statutes, to certain consolidated governments; provide that a municipality that has entered into an interlocal agreement to provide police protection services to another incorporated municipality, in its entirety, is eligible to receive the premium taxes reported for the other municipality under certain circumstances; authorize the municipality receiving the police protection services to enact an ordinance levying a tax as provided by law.
CS/SB 910 - [Died in S Committee] This substitute bill by Senator Hays would revise conditions under which certain special risk employees who suffer or have died from specified medical conditions are presumed to have been injured or killed accidentally and in line of duty; revises conditions under which presumption with respect to disability due to any of specified diseases is against occurrence in line of duty for purposes of workers' compensation claims.
SB 976 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Joyner relating to the City Pension Fund for Firefighters and Police Officers in the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, would authorize city to enter into supplemental contract with certain firefighters and police officers to increase amount of pension received by widow or widower or child or children should member lose his or her life or later die from injuries or causes occurring while in discharge of duties; allow joint annuitant who is also lawfully wedded spouse to be eligible for thirteenth check.
SB 1280 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Latvala would revise definition of terms "normal retirement date" and "vested" or "vesting"; revise provisions relating to early retirement benefit calculation to conform to changes made by act; require new employees to, by default, be enrolled in investment plan; extend period during which employee may elect to participate in pension plan; prohibit certain employees from choosing to move to pension plan after certain period.
SB 1334 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Oelrich would revise definition of terms "normal retirement date" and "vested" or "vesting"; revise provisions relating to early retirement benefit calculation to conform to changes made by act; require new employees to, by default, be enrolled in investment plan; extend period during which employee may elect to participate in pension plan; prohibit certain employees from choosing to move to pension plan after certain period.
SB 1570 - [Laid on Table, Refer to HB 971] This bill by Senator Simmons would provide that if a retired justice or judge is assigned to temporary duty, such assignment does not affect his or her eligibility for benefits under the Florida Retirement System; provide for each expired term or vacancy to be filled by appointment in the same manner as the member whose position is being filled; delete a requirement that the Executive Office of the Governor establish uniform rules of procedure consistent with the State Constitution when suspending for cause a member of a judicial nominating commission.
SB 1780 - [Died in S Committee] This bill by Senator Siplin would revise and provide provisions relating to the Florida Retirement System, including definitions, election of benefits, employer and employee contributions, the investment plan, the pension plan, optional retirement programs, and the Deferred Retirement Option Program, to reverse changes in the Florida Retirement System made by Chapter 2011-68.
SB 1986, 1st Eng. - [Passed, Enrolled] See Passed Bill description above.
SB 2006 - [Laid on Table, Refer to HB 5005] This bill by the Senate Budget Committee would revise employer contributions for members of each membership class and subclass of the Florida Retirement System; revise allocations from the Florida Retirement System Contributions Clearing Trust Fund to investment plan member accounts; revise employer contributions for members of the State University System Optional Retirement Program, the Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program, and the State Community College System Optional Retirement Program.
CS/CS/SB 2024 - [Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7079] This substitute bill by the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability would change the Deferred Retirement Option Program deferral ages for members initially enrolled on or after July 1, 2011; amend hardship and loan provisions; revise definition of terms "normal retirement date" and "vested" or "vesting."
CS/SB 2088 - [Died in S Committee] This substitute bill by the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability would revise the definition of the term “compensation” or “salary.”

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