WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 653

An act relating to approval of the adoption of the charter of the Town of Randolph

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Satcowitz

Randolph police officers who enroll in VSERS will be designated as Group G members for retirement benefits under state law.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 653

Overview

H.653 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) proposes to approve the adoption of the Town of Randolph’s charter and, as a consequence, clarify retirement system eligibility for Randolph’s police officers. Specifically, it authorizes law enforcement officers employed by Randolph to enroll in the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System (VSERS) as Group G members.

Purpose and Intent

  • To approve Randolph’s municipal charter adoption.
  • To enable Randolph’s law enforcement officers to participate in the Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System (VSERS) as Group G members under current law.
  • The bill aligns the town’s police personnel retirement status with the state-defined Group G membership category.

Key Provisions

  • Sec. 1: Adds Chapter 137 to Title 24, V.S.A., establishing the Town of Randolph’s provisions related to police officers and VSERS.
    • Notwithstanding 3 V.S.A. § 489, law enforcement officers employed by Randolph who become VSERS members under 3 V.S.A. chapter 16, subchapter 2 will be considered “Group G members” as defined in 3 V.S.A. § 455.
    • This provision effectively designates Randolph police officers who join VSERS as Group G members for retirement purposes.
  • Sec. 2: Effective date
    • The act takes effect on passage (immediate upon enactment).

Who Is Affected

  • Town of Randolph police officers (law enforcement personnel employed by Randolph) who enroll in VSERS under the applicable statutes.
  • The Vermont State Employees’ Retirement System, in terms of how Randolph officers are categorized for retirement purposes (Group G).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced by Rep. Satcowitz (Randolph); referred to the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, with a first-reading action on January 13, 2026.
  • Committee meeting noted: January 14, 2026 (House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs).
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage of the act.

Practical Impact

  • Ensures Randolph police officers can participate in VSERS as Group G members, governing certain retirement benefits, contributions, and eligibility.
  • Provides a clear statutory framework for the town’s adoption of its charter to accept police retirement classification consistent with state definitions.
  • Minor fiscal implications likely relate to retirement system contributions and benefits for those officers, consistent with other Group G VSERS members, though specific financial effects are not detailed in the bill text.

Summary

H.653 approves Randolph’s charter adoption and designates Randolph police officers who enroll in VSERS under state law as Group G members, ensuring retirement benefits and classifications follow the Group G framework. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.