HB 1390, which provides a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Plan 1 members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, February 11. The bill includes a one-time 3 percent COLA, capped at a maximum increase of $62.50 per month, for all members not receiving a minimum benefit.

During the 2018 legislative session, the Legislature passed SSB 6340, which implemented a one-time 1.5 percent COLA, capped at a maximum increase of $62.50 per month, for all members not receiving a minimum benefit.

In October 2018, AWC lobbyist Logan Bahr provided the city perspective in his testimony to the Select Committee on Pension Policy, “Our primary concern is the significant cost of the ad-hoc [PERS 1] COLA on local governments… Local governments continue to struggle with limited revenue options, decreased state resources, and lack of control on cost drivers.”

AWC is currently opposed to the bill and will continue to engage policymakers and monitor all developments on this bill.

Dates to remember

HB 1390 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday, February 11.