Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: S1275 – Public Employee Retirement System Code Cleanup
Bill Summary
This bill repeals ten sections of Idaho Code related to the Public Employee Retirement System that have been identified as obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary. The repealed sections include provisions for disbursement to the public employee retirement fund (33-2144), transfer of moneys from the state community college account (59-1324), merger of city retirement systems into the state employee system (59-1381 through 59-1385), limits on separation benefits (59-1396), benefits payable (59-1397), and cooperation of the state insurance fund (59-1399).
The bill also makes conforming amendments to four existing code sections to remove references to the repealed provisions and correct cross-references. Section 33-2101A is amended to remove references to the repealed sections from the list of statutes where “junior college” means “community college.” Section 59-1316 removes a reference to repealed section 59-1381 from the list of statutes governing confidentiality of retirement records. Section 59-1391 corrects a code reference from “59-1399” to “59-1398,” and Section 59-1394 revises language regarding excess costs and additional contributions by replacing a reference to repealed section 59-1397 with “this section.”
Overall Assessment
This legislation is purely administrative in nature, focused on removing obsolete provisions from Idaho’s retirement code and making technical corrections to cross-references. The repealed sections primarily relate to historical city retirement system mergers that occurred decades ago and have already served their purpose. The bill does not create new policy, alter current retirement benefits, or impact any substantive operations of the Public Employee Retirement System.
The bill received a total score of 0 across all evaluation metrics because it does not address any of the policy areas identified in the rating framework. As a housekeeping measure that eliminates outdated statutory language and corrects technical references, the legislation has no bearing on matters such as government responsibility, citizen involvement, education, natural resources, property rights, health and welfare, or any other substantive policy domain. The changes are entirely procedural and administrative, designed to streamline the Idaho Code without affecting current law or policy in any meaningful way.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill is a technical housekeeping measure that removes obsolete statutory provisions and corrects cross-references without altering government operations or accountability structures. The changes do not impact government efficiency, transparency, or fiscal responsibility in any substantive way.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill makes purely administrative changes to retirement code provisions and does not address citizen participation, public input processes, or government accessibility. These technical corrections have no bearing on how citizens interact with or influence government decision-making.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
While the bill references community college statutes in its conforming amendments, it does not alter educational policy, funding, curriculum, or operations. The changes are limited to removing obsolete cross-references without impacting education in any substantive manner.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
This legislation deals exclusively with retirement system code provisions and contains no provisions related to agriculture, farming, ranching, or agricultural policy. The bill has no connection to agricultural interests or operations.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses only retirement system statutes and makes no reference to water rights, water management, or water policy. These administrative changes have no impact on water resources or related issues.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This legislation is confined to retirement code housekeeping and does not address natural resources, environmental protection, or land management. The bill has no environmental or natural resource implications.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill deals solely with obsolete retirement system provisions and contains no provisions related to energy production, distribution, regulation, or policy. These administrative changes have no connection to energy matters.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This legislation makes technical corrections to retirement code and does not address the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or related federal facilities. The bill has no bearing on INL operations or policy.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill removes obsolete retirement system provisions and does not address property ownership, land use rights, or regulatory takings. These administrative changes have no impact on private property rights.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This legislation is limited to retirement code housekeeping and contains no provisions related to state or federal land management, ownership, or transfer. The bill has no connection to land policy issues.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses only retirement system statutes and makes no reference to wildlife, hunting, fishing, or habitat management. These technical corrections have no impact on wildlife policy.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill affects retirement system code, it does not alter economic policy, business regulation, taxation, or economic development. The removal of obsolete provisions has no substantive economic impact.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This legislation deals exclusively with retirement code provisions and does not address health care, public assistance, or welfare programs. The administrative changes have no bearing on health and welfare policy.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
The bill makes technical corrections to retirement statutes and contains no provisions related to family policy, parental rights, or family structure. These housekeeping changes have no impact on family-related matters.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
While the bill affects retirement system code, it does not alter retirement benefits, senior services, or policies specifically affecting older Americans. The removal of obsolete provisions has no substantive impact on seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
This legislation is confined to retirement code housekeeping and does not address criminal justice, law enforcement, or judicial matters. The bill has no connection to law and order issues.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill deals solely with retirement system provisions and contains no provisions related to national defense, border security, or immigration. These administrative changes have no bearing on security matters.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This legislation makes technical corrections to retirement code and does not address judicial selection, court operations, or the judiciary. The bill has no impact on judicial election or appointment processes.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill removes obsolete retirement system provisions and contains no provisions related to religious freedom, conscience rights, or religious expression. These housekeeping changes have no connection to religious liberty issues.