2012 June Meeting

Our fourth and final meeting will be TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 at Catablu, 2601 Covington Commons Dr. which is across the street (West Jefferson, Hwy 24) from Chops. We we will meet at 11:00 AM. Please email or phone Mary Jo Purvis (493-4263) for reservations. Please note: IF YOU HAVE DIETARY NEEDS please work with the table servers to modify your menu within our allowed price range. ALL MEALS ARE $12.00.

NOTE: LUNCHEON is free to 2011 retired teachers who have not joined AREA this year, 2011-2012. MEMBERS who bring a retired ADMINISTRATOR who has not joined AREA or attended an AREA meeting this year, 2011-12, will get a TWO-for-ONE DEAL. Also, NOTE, we will have plenty of room so bring a friend who may want to be an ASSOCIATE Member.

MENU: you will have a choice of one of the following:

1. Southwest Sante Fe Salad
2. Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onion and hand cut fries
3. Half Soup of the day & Chicken Panini sandwich
4. Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich & sweet potato fries
5. Half Apple Salad & Chicken Panini sandwich

Includes one beverage. Cash bar is available, servers will collect when served.
Speaker, Andrew P. Thomas, Executive Director, IRTA will be with us.

EYEGLASS CLUTTER: Please bring old eyeglasses with you for donation.

See you all soon!

John and Bev, AREA Co-Presidents

~~~

Alpine Christmas and California New Year’s Getaway

Indiana Retired Teachers Association presents both Alpine Christmas and California New Year’s Getaway.

Join us for an online presentation on May 10, 2012

You are invited to join Indiana Retired Teachers Association for an entertaining online travel presentation. Discover the people and places that make our tours special and do it from the comfort of your own computer. Take that first step towards your Christmas and New Year’s adventure. You can even ask real-time questions of our travel experts. See you then.

Alpine Christmas:

Holiday shopping has never been this fun! Settle into a centrally located Innsbruck hotel for six nights. Relax as the snow-capped Alpine and Tyrolean scenery passes by as you travel to enchanting, traditional Christmas markets throughout this stunning region. Enjoy dinner at centuries-old restaurants in Salzburg and Innsbruck. Shop for woodcarvings in Oberammergau and stop to photograph King Ludwig II’s magnificent Neuschwanstein castle perched on the side of a dramatic gorge. Return home rejuvenated from a relaxing city stay in Central Europe, bearing memories and a suitcase full of Alpine holiday treasures.

California New Year's Getaway featuring the Tournament of Roses Parade:

Ring in the New Year with an exciting trip to southern California. Find Pasadena abuzz with preparations for the famous Tournament of Roses Parade and get a sneak-peek as final touches are put on the massive floats. Listen to select parade bands perform at a special Bandfest presentation. Celebrate the season with a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Dance, with live entertainment and a champagne toast to the New Year. Enjoy prime viewing with reserved seating at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Reserve your online presentation seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/240549706

Thursday, May 10, 2012

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM CDT

Click Here to Register

~~~

Girta's Going Green!

You probably received the latest issue (Vol. 43, No.2) of the IRTA newsletter, The Bulletin Board, a few days ago. The issue had information about the past year's legislation including the 13th check...

House Enrolled Act 1123. On or about September 1, 2012, Indiana retired teachers will receive a 13th check in the same amount as last year, as follows:

• $450 for 30 or more years
• $375 for between 20-30 years
• $275 for between 10-20 years
• $150 for at least 5-10 years in the case of a mameber receiving disability retirement benefits

The Bulletin Board also had a notice on page 6 entitled Girta's Going Green.

In an effort to save money and trees, we are now offering a digital version of The Bulletin Board. If you would like to start receiving your subscription via email, please contact us at info@retiredteachers.org or through our web site: www.retiredteachers.org.

This is a great opportunity to reduce clutter, and save a few trees.

Finally, if you'd like to be informed whenever something new is posted here on the AREA web site, enter your email address in the line titled Follow Us By Email on the right side of the web page. You'll get an email letting you know when we put something new on the web site.

~~~

2012 April Meeting

Our third of four yearly meetings will be Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Baker Street Steakhouse, 4820 North Clinton St., across from Kohl's in Northcrest Shopping Center. We will meet at 11:00 A.M. Please email or phone Mary Jo Purvis (493-4263) for reservations. Please note: IF YOU HAVE DIETARY NEEDS please work with the table servers to modify your menu within our allow price range. All MEALS are $12.

NOTE: Luncheon free to 2011 retired teachers who have not joined AREA this year, 2011-12. Members who bring any other former retired teacher, non-member, will get a TWO-FOR-ONE DEAL.

MENU: You will have a choice of one of the following:

1. Cuban Sandwich
2. Bakerstreet Club
3. Turkey & Ham Avocado Sandwich
4. Bakerstreet Burger
5. Chef's Signature Salad

Our Speaker will be Mary Pat Leonard, America Heart Association.

OLD EYEGLASS CLUTTER: Please bring with your for donation.

See you all soon!

John and Bev, AREA Co-Presidents

Final Legislative Bulletin for the 2012 Indiana General Assembly

3/15/2012

Note: This is the final Legislative Bulletin for the 2012 Indiana General Assembly.
If you are not a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, you can JOIN ONLINE at http://www.retiredteachers.org/membership.shtml.

Our members receive a regular newsletter called the Bulletin Board several times a year. If you are a member and you would prefer to receive a copy of this newsletter by email, please send an email to info@retiredteachers.org.

Bill Watch
Find your legislators’ email addresses here:
http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl.
Check your last issue of the Bulletin Board for mailing addresses.


HB 1123 THIRTEENTH CHECK
Author: Rep. Woody Burton (bio), Coauthors: Rep. Tim Neese, Rep. Milo Smith, Rep. Robert Cherry Senate Sponsors: Sen. Luke Kenley, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, Sen. Vaneta Becker

Synopsis: Thirteenth checks. Provides for a thirteenth check to certain members of the:
(1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF); (2) public employees' retirement fund (PERF); and (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation officers' retirement fund (C & E fund).

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/HE/HE1123.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/HB1123.008.pdf

1-09-12 Rep. Tim Neese added as coauthor
1-11-12 This bill was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. Association Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Bourquein and Executive Director Andrew Thomas testified that a COLA is preferred, but our Association supports the bill. Chairman Jeff Espich held the bill for a later vote.
1-13-12 Bill passes Ways and Means Committee 18-0.
1-13-12 Rep. Robert Cherry added as coauthor (Member of House Ways and Means Committee).
1-17-12 Rep. Milo Smith added as coauthor (Member of House Ways and Means Committee).
1-17-12 Committee report adopted by House of Representatives.
1-19-12 Bill set for second reading on House floor. Bill was not heard since there was not a quorum.
1-25-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the House.
1-26-12 Bill passes 3rd Reading in the House with a vote of 82-2.
2-09-12 Bill passes Senate Appropriations Committee 12-0. An amendment was passed that changed the source of the funding to make it an appropriation. Past President Nancy Tolson gave testimony in support of this bill. Executive Director Andrew Thomas was also in attendance.
2-16-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the Senate.
2-20-12 Bill passes 3rd Reading in the Senate with a vote of 50-0. The next step is for the House to either CONCUR or DISSENT with the Senate amendment. See the amendment that changed the source of the funding here: ****http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SCRP/AM112307.001.html.
For a complete background, including fiscal impact, of the bill see: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctye=HB&docno=1123.
I expect the House to CONCUR with the amendment and send the bill to the governor in the next week.
3-01-12 House dissents from Senate amendments.
3-08-12 Conference committee report 1 filed in the House.
3-09-12 Conference committee report 1 adopted by House 79-2 and Senate 50-0.
3-09-12 Signed by the Speaker.
3-13-12 Signed by the President Pro Tempore


HB 1376 BUDGET SURPLUS
Author: Rep. Jeff Espich (bio), Coauthors: Rep. Bill Crawford Senate Sponsors: Sen. Luke Kenley, Sen. Randy Head, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, Sen. Karen Tallian

Synopsis: The bill provides that if the excess reserves are $50,000,000 or more, 50% of the excess reserves shall be transferred to certain pension funds, including the Teacher Retirement Fund (Pension Stabilization Fund) and 50% of the excess reserves shall be used for the purposes of providing an automatic taxpayer refund. Also includes other provisions. The amount of the money to be deposited in the Teacher Retirement Fund (Pension Stabilization Fund) is yet to be determined.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/HE/HE1376.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/HB1376.008.pdf

1-18-12 Reassigned to House Ways and Means Committee
1-26-12 Bill passes House Ways and Means Committee
1-30-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the House; Amendment 1 failed 36-60. Amendment 4 failed 39-56. Amendment 6 failed 40-55. Amendment 3 failed 39-56.
1-31-12 Bill passes 3rd Reading with a vote 96-2.
2-27-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in Senate. Amendment 1 passed with voice vote. Amendment 2 passed with voice vote. Amendment 7 failed 13-35. Amendment 8 passed with voice vote. Amendment 9 passed with voice vote. Amendment 11 passed with voice vote. Amendment 12 failed with voice vote. Amendment 13 failed 13-35.
Amendment 3 proposed increasing the minimum monthly pension amounts to at least $500 for retired teachers who retired before January 1, 1980 and had at least twenty years of creditable service. The amendment failed by voice vote.
2-29-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in the Senate 44-6.
3-01-12 House dissented from Senate amendments.
3-09-12 Conference committee report 1 filed in the House.
3-10-12 Conference committee report 1 adopted by Senate 40-10, and by House 76-17.
3-13-12 Signed by the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker.


SB 143 BUDGET SURPLUS
Author: Sen. Luke Kenley (bio), Coauthor: Sen. Charbonneau House Sponsor: Rep. Espich, Cosponsor: Rep. Crawford

Synopsis: Automatic taxpayer refund. Provides that for purposes of the automatic taxpayer refund statutes, amounts in the state tuition reserve fund are not considered in determining whether state reserves exceed 10% of general revenue. Specifies an additional requirement (a balance in the tuition reserve equal to at least 10% of the tuition support appropriation for the following year) that must be satisfied before a transfer may be made under the automatic taxpayer refund statutes. Specifies that: (1) if the amount of the excess reserves is less than $100,000,000, all of the excess reserves shall be transferred to the pension stabilization fund; and (2) if the amount of the excess reserves is $100,000,000 or more, 50% of the excess reserves shall be transferred to the pension stabilization fund and 50% of the excess reserves shall be used for the purposes of providing an automatic taxpayer refund. (Under current law, the excess reserves are divided equally between the pension stabilization fund and the automatic taxpayer refund, regardless of the dollar amount of the excess reserves.)

CLICK HERE FOR COMPETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/ES/ES0143.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/SB0143.007.pdf

1-19-12 Bill passes Senate Appropriations Committee 9-1. Amendment 5: An attempt was made to remove the Pension Stabilization Fund as a recipient of the surplus in favor of school corporations. This amendment failed 4-7.
1-20-12 Charbonneau added as second author.
1-23-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the Senate; Amendment 2 failed with a vote of 14-36. Amendment 1 failed with a voice vote.
1-24-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in the Senate with a vote of 36-14.
2-08-12 Public testimonies were received on this bill. Executive Director Andrew Thomas testified in favor of this bill.
2-16-12 Bill amended and passes House Ways and Means Committee.
AMENDED SUMMARY: State fiscal matters. Provides for an automatic refundable tax credit to Indiana residents when the state has excess reserves of at least $20,000,000. Transfers any part of the excess reserves that are not needed to provide tax credits to the pension stabilization fund. Provides that beginning in 2013: (1) the office of management and budget shall calculate, after the end of each odd- numbered state fiscal year, the total amount of state reserves; and (2) the governor's presentation concerning the disposition of excess state reserves is conditioned upon the determination that the state reserves exceed 12% (instead of 10%) of the general revenue appropriations for the current state fiscal year. Permits augmentation of the appropriation for full-day kindergarten. Changes the amount distributed per child. For a complete background, including fiscal impact, of the bill see: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0143
2-23-12 Bill passes 2nd reading; Amendment 1 ruled out of order; Amendment 2 ruled out of order;
2-27-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in the House with vote of 97-2.
2-29-12 Senate dissents from House amendments; Bill sent to conference committee.


HB 1162 3% COLA - THIS BILL WAS NEVER SET FOR A HEARING
Author: Rep. Timothy Neese (bio)

Synopsis: PERF and TRF COLAs. Provides for a 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for public employees' retirement fund (PERF) and teachers' retirement fund (TRF) members, survivors, and beneficiaries.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN1162.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/HB1162.001.pdf


SB 279 THIRTEENTH CHECK - THIS BILL WAS NEVER SET FOR A HEARING
Author: Sen. Ed Charbonneau (bio)

Synopsis: PERF and TRF thirteenth check. Provides for a thirteenth check for public employees’ retirement fund (PERF) and teachers’ retirement fund (TRF) members, survivors and beneficiaries.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0279.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/SB0279.001.pdf


SB 218 TRF PENSION MINIMUM - THIS BILL WAS NEVER SET FOR A HEARING
Author: Sen. Tim Skinner (bio)

Synopsis: TRF retirement benefit adjustment. Provides that the pension portion of the monthly benefit payable to a member of the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF) who retired before January 1, 1980, and has at least 20 years of creditable service may not be less than $500.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0218.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/SB0218.002.pdf


SB 220 MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT - THIS BILL WAS NEVER SET FOR A HEARING
Author: Sen. Tim Skinner (bio)

Synopsis: Public pension military service credit. Grants, under certain conditions, up to six years of service credit in the teachers' retirement fund for a member's past active duty military service.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0220.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/SB0220.002.pdf


SB 408 DEFINED CONTRIBUTION - THIS BILL WAS NEVER SET FOR A HEARING
Author: Sen. Brent Waltz (bio)

Synopsis: Public employees' defined contribution plan. Requires an individual who, after the effective date of the public employees' defined contribution plan (plan), becomes a full-time employee of the state in a position that would otherwise be eligible for membership in the public employees' retirement fund to become a member of the plan.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0408.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/SB0408.001.pdf


HB 1211 NURSING FACILITY SCREENING AND NOTIFICATION
Author: Rep. Suzanne Crouch (bio); Co-Authors: Rep. Charlie Brown (bio), Rep. Ron Bacon
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Vaneta Becker, Sen. Jean Leising, Sen. John Broden,
Cosponsor: Sen. Vi Simpson

Synopsis: Nursing facility screening and notification. Requires the dissemination of specified information as part of a nursing facility's notification to applicants. Specifies assessments that must be completed during a nursing facility preadmission screening.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/HE/HE1211.1.html
CLICK HERE FOR THE MOST RECENT FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/PDF/FISCAL/HB1211.008.pdf

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-12-12 Rep. Ron Bacon added as coauthor.
1-19-12 Bill passes Public Health Committee 9-0.
1-26-12 Bill passes 2nd reading.
1-31-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in the House with a vote of 95-0.
2-01-12 Bill referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services. Hearing set for February 15.
2-16-12 Bill passes Committee on Health and Provider Services.
2-20-12 Bill passes 2nd reading: order engrossed.
2-21-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in Senate 50-0.
2-21-12 Senator Randolph added as cosponsor.
2-23-12 Bill signed by the Speaker.
2-27-12 Bill signed by the President Pro Tempore.
2-29-12 Bill signed by the Governor.


Andrew P. Thomas, Executive Director
Indiana Retired Teachers Association
2629 Waterfront Parkway East Dr, Suite 105
Indianapolis, IN 46214
888.454.9333
athomas@retiredteachers.org
www.retiredteachers.org

_______________________________________________
RetiredTeachers mailing list
RetiredTeachers@www.hoosiers.net
http://www.hoosiers.net/mailman/listinfo/retiredteachers

LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN #5

Bill Watch

Find your legislators’ email addresses here: http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl. Check your last issue of the Bulletin Board for mailing addresses.

HB 1123 THIRTEENTH CHECK
Author: Rep. Woody Burton, Coauthors: Rep. Tim Neese, Rep. Milo Smith, Rep. Robert Cherry Senate Sponsors: Sen. Luke Kenley, Sen. Ed Charbonneau

Synopsis: Thirteenth checks. Provides for a thirteenth check to certain members of the:
(1) Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF); (2) public employees' retirement fund (PERF); and (3) state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation officers' retirement fund (C & E fund).
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/HB/HB1123.1.html

1-09-12 Rep. Tim Neese added as coauthor
1-11-12 This bill was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee. Association Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Bourquein and Executive Director Andrew Thomas testified that a COLA is preferred, but our Association supports the bill. Chairman Jeff Espich held the bill for a later vote.
1-13-12 Bill passes Ways and Means Committee 18-0
1-13-12 Rep. Robert Cherry added as coauthor (Member of House Ways and Means Committee)
1-17-12 Rep. Milo Smith added as coauthor (Member of House Ways and Means Committee)
1-17-12 Committee report adopted by House of Representatives.
1-19-12 Bill set for second reading on House floor. Bill was not heard since there was not a quorum.
1-25-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the House
1-26-12 Bill passes 3rd Reading in the House with a vote of 82-2
2-09-12 Bill passes Senate Appropriations Committee 12-0. An amendment was passed that changed the source of the funding to make it an appropriation. Past President Nancy Tolson gave testimony in support of this bill. Executive Director Andrew Thomas was also in attendance.
2-16-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the Senate.
2-20-12 Bill passes 3rd Reading in the Senate with a vote of 50-0. The next step is for the House to either CONCUR or DISSENT with the Senate amendment. See the amendment which changed the source of the funding here: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/SCRP/AM112307.001.html.
For a complete background, including fiscal impact, of the bill see: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctye=HB&docno=1123.
I expect the House to CONCUR with the amendment and send the bill to the governor in the next week.

SB 143 BUDGET SURPLUS
Author: Sen. Luke Kenley, Coauthor: Sen. Charbonneau House Sponsor: Rep. Espich, Cosponsor: Rep. Crawford

Synopsis: Automatic taxpayer refund. Provides that for purposes of the automatic taxpayer refund statutes, amounts in the state tuition reserve fund are not considered in determining whether state reserves exceed 10% of general revenue. Specifies an additional requirement (a balance in the tuition reserve equal to at least 10% of the tuition support appropriation for the following year) that must be satisfied before a transfer may be made under the automatic taxpayer refund statutes. Specifies that: (1) if the amount of the excess reserves is less than $100,000,000, all of the excess reserves shall be transferred to the pension stabilization fund; and (2) if the amount of the excess reserves is $100,000,000 or more, 50% of the excess reserves shall be transferred to the pension stabilization fund and 50% of the excess reserves shall be used for the purposes of providing an automatic taxpayer refund. (Under current law, the excess reserves are divided equally between the pension stabilization fund and the automatic taxpayer refund, regardless of the dollar amount of the excess reserves.)
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0143.1.html

1-19-12 Bill passes Senate Appropriations Committee 9-1.
Amendment 5: An attempt was made to remove the Pension Stabilization Fund as a recipient of the surplus in favor of school corporations. This amendment failed 4-7.
1-20-12 Charbonneau added as second author.
1-23-12 Bill passes 2nd Reading in the Senate; Amendment 2 failed with a vote of 14-36;
Amendment 1 failed with a voice vote
1-24-12 Bill passes 3rd reading in the Senate with a vote of 36-14
2-08-12 Public testimonies were received on this bill. Executive Director Andrew Thomas testified in favor of this bill.
2-16-12 Bill amended and passes House Ways and Means Committee.
AMENDED SUMMARY: State fiscal matters. Provides for an automatic refundable tax credit to Indiana residents when the state has excess reserves of at least $20,000,000. Transfers any part of the excess reserves that are not needed to provide tax credits to the pension stabilization fund. Provides that beginning in 2013: (1) the office of management and budget shall calculate, after the end of each odd- numbered state fiscal year, the total amount of state reserves; and (2) the governor's presentation concerning the disposition of excess state reserves is conditioned upon the determination that the state reserves exceed 12% (instead of 10%) of the general revenue appropriations for the current state fiscal year. Permits augmentation of the appropriation for full-day kindergarten. Changes the amount distributed per child. For a complete background, including fiscal impact, of the bill see: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0143

HB 1162 3% COLA
Author: Rep. Timothy Neese
Synopsis: PERF and TRF COLAs. Provides for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for public employees' retirement fund (PERF) and teachers' retirement fund (TRF) members, survivors, and beneficiaries.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN1162.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-19-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-30-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-10-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-16-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-20-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.

SB 279 THIRTEENTH CHECK
Author: Sen. Ed Charbonneau

Synopsis: PERF and TRF thirteenth check. Provides for a thirteenth check for public employees’ retirement fund (PERF) and teachers’ retirement fund (TRF) members, survivors and beneficiaries.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0279.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-19-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-30-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-10-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-20-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.

SB 218 TRF PENSION MINIMUM
Author: Sen. Tim Skinner

Synopsis: TRF retirement benefit adjustment. Provides that the pension portion of the monthly benefit payable to a member of the Indiana state teachers' retirement fund (TRF) who retired before January 1, 1980, and has at least 20 years of creditable service may not be less than $500.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0218.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-19-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-30-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-10-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-20-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.


SB 220 MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT
Author: Sen. Tim Skinner

Synopsis: Public pension military service credit. Grants, under certain conditions, up to six years of service credit in the teachers' retirement fund for a member's past active duty military service.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0220.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-19-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-30-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-10-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-20-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.


SB 408 DEFINED CONTRIBUTION
Author: Sen. Brent Waltz

Synopsis: Public employees' defined contribution plan. Requires an individual who, after the effective date of the public employees' defined contribution plan (plan), becomes a full-time employee of the state in a position that would otherwise be eligible for membership in the public employees' retirement fund to become a member of the plan.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0408.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-19-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-30-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-10-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
2-20-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.


HB 1211 NURSING FACILITY SCREENING AND NOTIFICATION
Author: Rep. Suzanne Crouch; Co-Authors: Rep. Charlie Brown, Rep. Ron Bacon

Synopsis: Nursing facility screening and notification. Requires the dissemination of specified information as part of a nursing facility's notification to applicants. Specifies assessments that must be completed during a nursing facility preadmission screening.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LANGUAGE: http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN1211.1.html

1-11-12 This bill has not been set for a hearing.
1-12-12 Rep. Ron Bacon added as coauthor
1-19-12 Bill passes Public Health Committee 9-0.
1-26-12 Bill passes 2nd reading.
2-01-12 Bill referred to Committee on Health and Provider Services. Hearing set for February 15.
2-16-12 Bill passes Committee on Health and Provider Services.
2-20-12 Bill passes 2nd reading: order engrossed.

Committees

House Ways & Means
Chair: Representative Espich
Vice Chair: Representative Crouch
Members: Rep. Cherry - Chair of Budget Subcommittee, Rep. Dermody - Chair Higher Ed Sub,
Rep. Pond - Chair Health & Medicaid Sub, Rep. M. Smith - Chair Tax Sub,
Rep. Thompson - Chair K-12 Sub, Rep. Baird, Clere,
Rep. Karickhoff, Rep. Kubacki, Rep. Leonard, Rep. McClain,
Rep. Truitt, Rep. Turner, Rep. Ubelhor,
Rep. Crawford R.M.M., Rep. Candelaria Reardon, Rep. Goodin,
Rep. Kersey, Rep. Klinker, Rep. Moses,
Rep. Pelath, Rep. Pryor, Rep. Welch

House Employment, Labor & Pensions
Chair: Representative Gutwein
Vice Chair: Representative Ellspermann
Members: Rep.Davis, Rep. Morris, Rep. Speedy, Rep. Steuerwald, Rep. Torr, Rep. Wesco,
Rep. Niezgodski R.M.M., Rep. Bartlett, Rep. C. Fry, Rep. Kersey, Rep. Moseley

Senate Pensions & Labor
Chair: Senator Boots
Members: Sen. Waltz R.M., Sen. Buck, Sen. Kruse, Sen. Schneider, Sen. Walker,
Sen. M. Young, Sen. Tallian R.M.M., Sen. Arnold, Sen. Skinner

Senate Appropriations
Chair: Senator Kenley
Members: Sen. Charbonneau R.M., Sen. Boots, Sen. Hershman, Sen. Lawson,
Sen. Miller, Sen. Mishler, Sen. Waltz, Sen. Wyss,
Sen. Broden R.M.M., Sen. Hume, Sen. Rogers, Sen. Tallian


submitted by:

Andrew P. Thomas, Executive Director
Indiana Retired Teachers Association
2629 Waterfront Parkway East Dr, Suite 105
Indianapolis, IN 46214
888.454.9333
athomas@retiredteachers.org

Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education

The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education (NEIFPE) has announced some events of interest to everyone concerned about Public Education.

Diane Ravitch author of The Life and Death of the Great American School System and a strong advocate for public schools will be speaking at the Auer Auditorium on the IPFW campus at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13. Dr. Ravitch will be part of the Omnibus Lecture Series. Tickets, though free, are needed for this event. Call the IPFW box office at 481-6555 for further information.

As a prelude to Dr. Ravitch's appearance, NEIFPE has arranged for the showing of two films at the downtown Cinema Center.

Waiting for Superman will be shown on Sunday, February 26 at 4:15 p.m and on Monday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m.

As a response to "Superman," Cinema Center is showing The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman on Sunday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. and on Monday, March 5 at 4:00p.m.

Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Educations will lead a discussion of the two films following the two Sunday showings. There will be no charge for these showings, but donations will be accepted to help the producers of The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman defray their production and distribution costs.

A flyer with information about NEIFPE will be distributed at the Cinema Center events. You can download a copy HERE.

~~~