March 23, 2010

The Honorable Bill Heath
State Senator
State Capitol, Room 109
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
SUBJECT: State Auditor’s Certification
Substitute to House Bill 486
(LC 21 0845S)
Dear Senator Heath:

This substitute bill would amend provisions relating to creditable service under the Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund. Under the provisions of this legislation, any person who first or again becomes a member of the Fund on or after July 1, 2010 would no longer be entitled to receive creditable service for prior service as a deputy clerk. However, this substitute bill would allow any person who is serving as a chief deputy clerk on July 1, 2010, and who, without a break in service became the clerk of the same court to receive creditable service for such service, provided such person pays the full actuarial cost of such service.

Additionally, this substitute bill would amend provisions relating to death benefits under the Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund. If this legislation is enacted, a death benefit in the amount of $5,000 would be paid to the designated beneficiary of any member who dies in service. This benefit would be in addition to any benefits the surviving spouse may be eligible to receive under current law.

This is to certify that the changes made in this substitute bill are nonfiscal amendments as defined in the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law. Therefore, the actuarial investigation prepared for House Bill 486 (LC 21 0324) would apply to this bill. A copy of the actuarial investigation and the State Auditor’s Summary for House Bill 486 (LC 21 0324) is attached.

Respectfully,

/s/ Russell W. Hinton
State Auditor
RWH/cs