HJR 2011 (LSB 6010YH (1) 91)

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2011

BY  BAGNIEWSKI

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to benefits accrued under public retirement systems.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is proposed:
   Article I of the Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section:
   Sec. 21A.  Public retirement systems —— accrued benefits as contractual obligation.  Membership in an employee retirement system of the state or a political subdivision of the state is an enforceable contractual relationship. In accordance with section 21 of this Article, the accrued benefits of such membership shall not be diminished or impaired.
    Sec. 2.
  REFERRAL AND PUBLICATION.
  The foregoing proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa is referred to the general assembly to be chosen at the next general election for members of the general assembly, and shall be published as provided by law for three months previous to the date of that election.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa declaring membership in an employee retirement system of the state or a political subdivision an enforceable contractual relationship. The resolution provides that, in accordance with the existing constitutional prohibition on laws impairing obligations of contracts, the accrued benefits of such membership shall not be diminished or impaired.
   The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.