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S 1871

Removes the additional service charge for distinctive Elks Association license plates

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Walczyk

Adds UMass Lowell radiation and reactor roles to Chapter 32, Section 3 retirement classifications, expanding eligibility and benefits for those positions.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · S 1871

Summary — S.1871: "An Act relative to retirement for nuclear reactor operators"

Note on source materials: The draft bill text filed with the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 1871) amends state retirement law to add a set of University of Massachusetts Lowell positions to Section 3 of Chapter 32. Some metadata included with the request (title, sponsors, and some action dates) are inconsistent with that text; this summary focuses on the statutory change contained in the bill language.

Purpose

To amend Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32 (public employee retirement law) by explicitly adding certain University of Massachusetts Lowell radiation and reactor-related positions to the list of job classifications following the word “managers;” in Section 3. The intent is to place those positions under the retirement classification or treatment described in that portion of Section 3.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends Section 3 of Chapter 32 (as in the 2022 Official Edition) by inserting, immediately after the word “managers;”, the following employees of UMass Lowell:

    • Director of Radiation Safety
    • Radiation Safety Specialist
    • Accelerator Supervisor
    • Radiation Services Manager
    • Nuclear Reactor Supervisor
    • Chief Reactor Operator
    • Nuclear Reactor Operator — professional
    • Reactor Engineer

  • The change is targeted at employees “of University of Massachusetts Lowell” performing those specific roles.

Who would be affected

  • Current and future employees of UMass Lowell who hold (or are hired into) the listed positions.
  • The UMass Lowell retirement system administration, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (or relevant state retirement administrator), and potentially the state actuary and Treasurer if the change affects retirement classifications, contribution rates, or benefit calculations.

Potential impact

  • By adding these positions to the specified list in Section 3, the bill would bring those job titles under whatever retirement classification, rules, or special treatment applies to the surrounding language in Section 3 (for example, a particular group classification, managerial status, or eligibility/benefit structure). The bill text does not itself spell out benefit formulas or contribution rates — those are determined by the provisions of Chapter 32 that apply to the listed classifications.
  • Practical effects could include changes to retirement eligibility, vesting, benefit calculation, required contributions by employer or employee, or special retirement provisions (depending on the precise provisions of Section 3).
  • Fiscal impacts (e.g., increased pension liabilities or employer contribution changes) would require actuarial analysis and review by the state actuary or retirement system.

Legislative status and timeline (from provided records)

  • Filed in the Senate: January 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 489 / Senate No. 1871).
  • Bill text presented by Senator Edward J. Kennedy (per bill cover sheet).
  • Other listed actions include referral to committees and hearings (committee names and dates in the provided record show multiple referrals and scheduling entries). The record also lists "REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS" (May 13, 2025). Note: some dates and committee referrals in the provided metadata appear inconsistent; consult the official Massachusetts Legislature docket for authoritative status updates.

Notes and recommendation

  • To determine the precise legal and financial consequences, review the exact language and location in Section 3 of Chapter 32 being amended (to see which retirement group/classification or special provisions will apply), and request an actuarial fiscal note from the state actuary or relevant retirement board.
  • Confirm current legislative status on the Massachusetts Legislature website (Senate No. 1871) because provided action timestamps contain inconsistencies.

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

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