AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT; EXPANDING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE STATE POLICE MEMBER COVERAGE PLAN 1; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 10-11-27 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 253, Section 27) is amended to read:

"10-11-27. STATE POLICE MEMBER COVERAGE PLAN 1--APPLICABILITY.--State police member coverage plan 1 is applicable to state police members who are not specifically covered by another coverage plan. The credited service of a state police member who has held the permanent rank of patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant or captain and does not hold an exempt rank or who is assigned to the aircraft division as a pilot shall have actual credited service increased by twenty percent for the purposes of state police member coverage plan 1."

Section 2. A new Section 10-11-27.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"10-11-27.1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.--The legislature finds that:

A. it is appropriate to recognize the professionalism and dedication of state police officers, who provide an essential service to the citizens of New Mexico;

B. it is appropriate to recognize the hazardous nature of the work performed by state police officers;

C. the spirit of what it takes to be a state police officer is personified by Sergeant Brent H. Bateman, who served with honor as a state police officer for twenty-two years. Sergeant Bateman became ill days after his retirement and passed away a short six months following retirement; and

D. the twenty percent credit towards actual service provided in state police member coverage plan 1 is dedicated to Sergeant Brent H. Bateman and all other officers who have served, and who do serve, as New Mexico state police officers."

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.

HB 788

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