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HB 542

FINANCE-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 542 enhances retirement benefits for Alabama district attorneys and prosecutors, expanding eligibility and increasing benefits to attract and retain legal professionals.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 542

Summary of House Bill 542 (HB 542)

Overview

House Bill 542, enacted on May 14, 2025, aims to enhance retirement benefits for district attorneys and certain prosecutors in Alabama. The bill expands membership in the District Attorneys' Plan and allows participation in both the supernumerary program and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS).

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of HB 542 is to provide improved retirement options for district attorneys and full-time prosecutors. By allowing participation in multiple retirement programs, the bill seeks to attract and retain qualified legal professionals in public service roles.

Key Provisions

  1. Expanded Membership:

    • The bill expands the definition of "member" in the District Attorneys' Plan to include:
      • Full-time prosecutors employed by district attorney offices.
      • Full-time attorneys employed by the Office of Prosecution Services.

  2. Retirement Benefits:

    • Increases the benefit multiplier for district attorneys from 3% to 4%.
    • Allows district attorneys who qualify based on separate years of service to participate in both the supernumerary district attorney program and the Employees' Retirement System.

  3. Fiscal Impact:

    • The bill is projected to increase the unfunded liability of the District Attorneys' Plan by approximately $11 million.
    • It is estimated to raise the annual obligations of district attorney offices and the Office of Prosecution Services by about $681,000 due to higher employer contribution rates for ERS members transitioning to the District Attorneys' Plan.

  4. Technical Revisions:

    • The bill includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update existing code language to current standards.

Affected Parties

  • District Attorneys: Current and future district attorneys who meet the eligibility criteria will benefit from enhanced retirement options.
  • Prosecutors: Full-time prosecutors and attorneys in the Office of Prosecution Services will gain access to the District Attorneys' Plan.
  • State Budget: The fiscal implications will affect the State General Fund due to increased contributions required from district attorney offices.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: April 8, 2025
  • Passed House: April 22, 2025
  • Passed Senate: May 6, 2025
  • Enacted: May 14, 2025
  • Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Conclusion

House Bill 542 represents a significant step in enhancing the retirement benefits available to district attorneys and certain prosecutors in Alabama. By expanding eligibility and improving benefits, the bill aims to support public service legal professionals and ensure a robust legal system in the state.

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

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