HB 180 -- POLICE MILITARY LEAVE

SPONSOR:  Johnson (47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill changes the laws regarding military leave for Kansas
City police officers and civilian employees.  Members of the
Police Retirement System of Kansas City and the Civilian
Employees' Retirement System of the Police Department of Kansas
City who are on leave of absence due to military service in which
the United States has declared war, a compulsory draft, or the
combat mobilization of any units of the military reserves are
entitled to service credit for the time spent in the military
service.  During their military service, members are not required
to pay any member contributions into the retirement system.

If it becomes necessary for the years of the service to be
included in the calculation of the member's compensation, the
member will be deemed to have received the same compensation
throughout the period of service as the member's base annual
salary immediately prior to the commencement of the leave of
absence.

Eligible members who are absent because of the military leave are
entitled to federal employment and re-employment rights.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow police
officers who are called to active service with the military to
count their time while deployed toward their police retirement.
Since September 11, 2001, about 40 Kansas City police officers
have been called to active military duty; and the bill will allow
them to count their time in active service toward their police
retirement.  Most other retirement systems in Missouri, including
the Police Retirement System of St. Louis, allow this.  Kansas
City supports the bill, and there is no cost to the state.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Johnson (47); City of
Kansas City; and Police Retirement System of Kansas City.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm