sb109_Fiscal_Impact_Note

sb109_Fiscal_Impact_Note_2.html

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS
270 Washington Street, S.W., Suite 1-156
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-8400

Russell W. Hinton
State Auditor
(404) 656-2174

January 20, 2009

The Honorable Preston Smith
State Senator
Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 301-A
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

SUBJECT: State Auditor’s Certification
Senate Bill (LC 21 0081)

Dear Senator Smith:

This bill would amend provisions relating to retirement and pensions under the Employees’ Retirement System, the District Attorneys Emeritus Fund, the Georgia Judicial Retirement System, and would amend provisions relating to social security coverage for employees. Specifically, this bill would transfer certain duties and obligations from the Department of Administrative Services to the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia, the Council of State Court Judges of Georgia, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of the State of Georgia, and the Council of Juvenile Court Judges. This bill would also provide clarification regarding the source of funds used to cover the employer contributions made on behalf of certain members of these funds.

This bill would also require each state court to notify the board of directors for the Judicial Retirement System of the election or appointment of a new state court judge or solicitor-general or the vacating of such office. Such notifications must be made within two weeks of such election, appointment, or vacancy. Each employer eligible for participation in the Judicial Retirement System would also be required to submit a list of all employees who are current members to the board of directors each month. These notifications would also be sent to the Council of State Court Judges of Georgia and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of the State of Georgia.

This is to certify that this bill is a nonfiscal retirement bill as defined in the Public Retirement Systems Standards Law.

Respectfully,

/s/ Russell W. Hinton
State Auditor

RWH/cs