Sponsor Statement for SSHB 164

"An Act providing that employment as a legislator or with the National Education Association is not credited service under the teachers’ retirement system; and repealing a provision permitting members of the teachers’ retirement system to count unused sick leave credit as credited service"

The intent of this legislation is to remove from the teachers’ retirement system (TERS), those individuals who are or were teachers, and are elected to the state legislature.

Currently teachers can apply their unused sick leave for credited service and are not required to make contributions for that credited service. This bill would also repeal the statue allowing this practice.

Sponsor Statement for HB 164

"An Act providing that employment as a legislator or with the National Education Association is not credited service under the teachers’ retirement system; removing teachers holding limited certificates to teach Alaska Native language or culture from membership in the teachers’ retirement system; and repealing a provision permitting members of the teachers’ retirement system to count unused sick leave credit as credited service"

The intent of this legislation is to remove from the teachers’ retirement system (TERS), those individuals who are or were teachers, and are elected to the state legislature. It also removes those individuals who have been issued a limited teacher certificate from the TERS.

This legislation would also repeal the provision which allows teachers to use their accrued sick leave credit for credited service. Currently teachers can apply their unused sick leave for credited service and are not required to make contributions for that credited service.