An overview of MACo’s advocacy on pensions issues in the 2019 General Assembly.
Half of Maryland’s counties participate in the State’s pension system, and the other half support their employees through local pension systems. MACo’s pension advocacy includes defending local authority to define the elements of county-run pension systems, and protecting the interests of county governments participating in the State’s pension system.
Follow links below for more coverage on Conduit Street and MACo’s Legislative Database.
MACo opposed legislation that would have allowed members of the State’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System to claim up to five years of service credit in the State’s Pension System even if they are already receiving a military retirement for their service. MACo stated, for the small and mid-size counties that participate in this plan, the additional costs of this program will be pitted directly against other public safety operating needs, including, for example, the ability of a county to raise public safety salaries. Ultimately, Military Service Credit – Eligibility did not advance out of its committees in either the House or Senate.
Bill Information | MACo Coverage: Bill Pits Costs Against Public Safety Operating Needs
Prior to the start of Session, MACo worked with the sponsor of legislation to require local governments to offer a certain minimum disability pension to public safety officers injured in the line-of-duty. Similar legislation was introduced last year, and MACo’s strong opposition helped stop its passage. The 2019 version of the bill would not have had a fiscal effect on county governments, because the required minimum allowance was less than or almost equal to that offered by county governments with their own pensions systems already, and similar to what is offered by the State’s pension system for counties that participate in the State pension. For this reason, MACo did not take a position on the 2019 bill, for other reasons, however, the legislation still failed to pass the General Assembly.
For more on pensions-related legislation tracked by MACo during the 2019 legislative session, click here.
