Resolve authorizing the study of cost of living increases for state police retirees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ted Philips

A special commission would study feasibility and design of increasing cost-of-living adjustments for Massachusetts State Police retirees, with a draft bill due by Jan 1, 2027.

Accompanied a study order, see H5312 (under House Rule 27)

Purpose and intent

This bill creates a special commission to study the feasibility of increasing the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees of the Massachusetts State Police.

The commission would examine whether and how COLAs for these retirees could be enhanced, and develop legislative drafts to carry any recommended changes into effect.

Key provisions

Commission creation and scope

Establishes a special commission to study COLA increases for Massachusetts State Police retirees.
The commission’s work includes feasibility, design, and potential legislative approaches to enhance COLAs.

Membership and leadership

The commission would consist of:
The chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Service (or their designees),
The executive director of the State Retirement Board,
One member appointed by the chair of the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC),
The president of Massachusetts Retirees (association representing retirees).
The commission’s composition emphasizes representation from pension system administration, policy oversight, and retiree interests.

Reporting and legislative drafting

The commission is required to report its findings, recommendations, and drafts of any necessary legislation to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means.
Reports and draft legislation must be filed with the clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate on or before January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: State Police retirees who receive COLA benefits; any change would directly affect their retirement income.

Administrative and policy bodies: State Retirement Board, PERAC, the Joint Committee on Public Service, and organizations representing retirees would be involved in study, analysis, and potential implementation.

Timeline and procedural status

Introduced/referred: Filed January 16, 2025; referred to the Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025.

Hearing status: A hearing was scheduled/rescheduled to September 17, 2025 (initial window 1:00 PM–2:00 PM, later updated to 1:00 PM–5:00 PM; held in Room B-2 and accessible virtually).

Reporting deadline: The commission must file its report and any draft legislation by January 1, 2027.

Legislative path: As a “Resolve,” the bill sets up a study commission rather than immediately funding or enacting policy; eventual changes would require further act of the General Court.

Fiscal considerations

The resolution itself establishes a study commission and does not, by itself, appropriate funds. Any costs associated with staff, meetings, and analysis would be borne by participating agencies as assigned. If COLA changes are recommended, subsequent legislation would carry its own fiscal implications for state retirement systems.

Related matters

A related or predecessor matter filed in a prior session (House Document 2637 of 2023-2024) indicates prior interest in reviewing COLAs for state police retirees.

Related bill reference: House Document 2596 (the version listed with the docket) accompanies the current measure.

This bill, if enacted, would put in motion a structured, multi-agency study to assess whether and how state police retiree COLAs could be increased, with a formal report and legislative drafts due by early 2027.

Bill