WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 928

State Police Officers' Retirement System; membership for Department of Wildlife Resources conservation police officers.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Richard Stuart

SB 928 reclassifies Virginia wildlife conservation officers into the State Police retirement system, providing enhanced pension benefits while increasing state retirement obligations.

Left in Finance and Appropriations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 928

Legislative bill overview

SB 928 would allow Department of Wildlife Resources conservation police officers to join the State Police Officers' Retirement System instead of the standard state employee retirement plan. This change would give these officers access to a more generous pension structure typically reserved for state police and law enforcement personnel with similar hazardous duty classifications.

Why is this important

Conservation police officers perform law enforcement duties in rural and often dangerous conditions, including wildlife enforcement and emergency response. The reclassification could significantly impact state budget obligations through higher retirement contributions and enhanced pension benefits, while potentially affecting recruitment and retention for these positions.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal cost: The Virginia Retirement System's fiscal impact statement likely identified substantial long-term costs to state coffers from enhanced pension benefits and employer contributions
  • Equity concerns: Other state law enforcement or hazardous-duty workers may seek similar reclassification, creating precedent for expanded retirement system access
  • Definitional consistency: Questions about whether conservation officers truly meet the same hazard/duty thresholds as state police, or if this represents benefit expansion without corresponding classification change

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

Sign in to ask a question.