Laws
SERS is governed by Chapter 3309 of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Rules.
Laws/Legislation
Important Legislative Updates
New WEP Reform Bill Introduced
(10/2/19) – Richard Neal (D-MA), a U.S. representative from a non-Social Security state, has reintroduced legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
Legislation
SERS and its members can be significantly affected by legislation enacted by the Ohio General Assembly and Congress. The impact of legislation and federal regulatory activities on SERS and other public retirement systems has increased in recent years.
As a trust fund for the retirement contributions of members and employers, SERS closely monitors state and federal legislation that could adversely affect its mission to provide retirement security for Ohio’s school employees. When appropriate, SERS provides testimony or otherwise educates Ohio legislators, congressional representatives, and regulatory agencies on the impact of these proposals.
While SERS is not a government agency, it is subject to rules governing public employers in the state of Ohio.
Contact Your State Representative and Senator
If you would like to contact your state representative and senator regarding a bill listed on this page, click the below link to compose your own message using SERS’ Legislative Action Center.
Contact Congress Regarding Important Issues Affecting SERS Retirees
Contacting your congressional delegates legislators is easy using SERS’ Legislative Action Center. By entering your ZIP code, you’ll have access to the contact information (e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address) of your federal legislators.
Current Legislation
116th Congress
Bill
|
Sponsor |
Last Actions |
Summary |
Title |
Cosponsors |
| H.R. 141 | Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) |
House – 01/31/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security |
Repeals the GPO and WEP. | Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 | 255 co-sponsors; nine Ohioans |
| H.R. 748 | Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) |
Senate – 07/23/2020 Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. | Initially introduced as a repeal of the health care “Cadillac Tax.” Ultimately became vehicle for COVID-19 relief legislation. | CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) | 369 co-sponsors; 14 Ohioans |
| H.R. 4763 | Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) |
House – 10/18/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. |
Extends the limited wraparound coverage pilot program for an additional 5 years, and for other purposes | Wraparound Health Coverage Protection Act | Eight co-sponsors all of whom are Ohioans |
| S. 521 | Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) |
Senate – 02/14/2019 Referred to Committee on Finance |
Repeals the GPO and WEP. | Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 | 38 co-sponsors |
| S. 684 | Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) |
Senate – 03/06/2019 Referred to the Committee on Finance |
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage; Repeals the health care “Cadillac Tax.” |
Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 | 63 co-sponsors; two Ohioans |
| H.R. 3934 | Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) |
House – 07/24/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means |
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to replace the windfall elimination provision with a formula equalizing benefits for certain individuals with non-covered employment, and for other purposes. |
Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2019 | 48 co-sponsors; three Ohioans |
| H.R.4540 | Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) | House – 09/27/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means | To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide an equitable Social Security formula for individuals with non-covered employment and to provide relief for individuals currently affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision. | In progress | 143 co-sponsors; four Ohioans |
| S. 2543 | Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) | Senate – 09/25/2019 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. |
This bill alters several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs under Medicare and Medicaid.
|
Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 | zero cosponsors |
| H.R. 3 | Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) | Senate – 09/08/2020 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders | This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs, health care coverage and costs, and public health. | Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act | 106 co-sponsors; two Ohioans |
133rd General Assembly
Bill
|
Sponsor |
Summary |
Title |
| SB10 | Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) |
To expand the penalties for theft in office based on the amount stolen and to include as restitution audit costs of the entity that suffered the loss. | THEFT IN OFFICE PENALTIES |
| HB326 | Adam Miller (D – Columbus) | To allow a Public Employees Retirement System or School Employees Retirement System disability benefit recipient elected to certain offices to continue receiving a disability benefit during the term of office. | PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT-DISABILITY BENEFIT |
| HCR13 | Thomas West (D- Canton), Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) | To encourage equitable and diverse gender representation on the boards and in senior management of Ohio companies and institutions. | GENDER REPRESENTATION |
| HB46 | Dave Greenspan (D – Westlake) | To require the Treasurer of State to establish the Ohio State Government Expenditure Database | STATE GOVT EXPENDITURE DATABASE |
| HB530 | Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland) | Regarding state retirement system fiduciary duties, Public Employees Retirement System management fees and employee pay, and creating the Committee on Pension Salaries and Fees | OPERS PROTECTION |
| HB514 | Brigid Kelly (D – Cincinnati) Haraz Ghanbari (R – Perrysburg) | To require the state retirement systems to publicly broadcast board meetings | BROADCAST RETIREMENT BOARD MEETINGS |
| HB515 | Brigid Kelly (D – Cincinnati) Haraz Ghanbari (R – Perrysburg) | To require the boards of the state retirement systems to disclose certain financial information regarding alternative investments | RETIREMENT SYSTEMS – FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES |
| HB516 | Brigid Kelly (D – Cincinnati) Haraz Ghanbari (R – Perrysburg) | Regarding the prohibition against the state retirement systems doing business with a former state retirement system employee, officer, or board member. | FORMER STATE RETIREMENT PERSONNEL |
| HB197 | Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) | To continue essential operations of state government and maintain the continuity of the state tax code in response to the declared pandemic and global health emergency related to COVID-19, to make appropriations, and to declare an emergency. | OMNIBUS MEASURES ON CORONAVIRUS |
