Criminal Penalties for Retirement Benefit Fraud (ATRS Monitoring)

Increases the criminal penalties for making a "material false statement or representation" to ATRS or any other state retirement system for the purpose of obtaining or modifying a benefit. 

Combining of School for the Deaf and School for the Blind (ATRS Monitoring)

Technical change to revise ATRS laws to reflect the combining of the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Arkansas School for the Blind. This bill does not require the schools to be combined, but it changes the terminology in the ATRS laws if the Legislature also passes HB1810, which would combine the two schools into a single entity. The bill was initially filed as a shell bill, and House Amendment 1 added in the substantive text.

Allow ATRS Payments to Special Needs Trust (ATRS Monitoring)

Allows ATRS to pay benefits owed to a disabled surviving child or spouse or a disabled beneficiary to a Special Needs Trust set up on behalf of the survivor or beneficiary. Such trusts are established to protect the survivor or beneficiary's eligibility for Medicaid, SSI, and other disability programs. The bill was initially filed as a shell bill, and House Amendment 1 added in the substantive text.

Restrictions on Investments in China (ATRS Monitoring)

Prohibits ATRS and other public retirement systems from investing in Chinese companies and requires divestment of certain existing investments in Chinese companies. 

Removing Minority Qualifications for ATRS Board (ATRS Monitoring)

Removes requirement to have minority board members on certain state boards and commissions, including the ATRS Board of Trustees. Under current law, ATRS Board Position #8 is reserved for minority ATRS members. If this bill passes, any active or retired ATRS member would be eligible to run for position #8 when it comes open in 2027. This bill would not affect the term of our current Board member in position #8. 

Adding Early Childhood Workers to ATRS (ATRS Monitoring)

Allows an early childhood worker to become a member of ATRS if they are employed by a private early childhood education facility that is licensed and accredited by the state and receives state or federal funding for childcare. The bill was initially filed as a shell bill, and Senate Amendment 1 added in the substantive text.

Forfeiture of Retirement for Convicted Public Officials (ATRS Monitoring)

Forfeits the retirement benefits of any elected public official who is convicted of a crime that would make them ineligible to hold office. The bill would apply only to members who join ATRS after the bill's effective date.   

Life Insurance Benefits for ATRS Members (ATRS Monitoring)

Allows the state retirement systems including ATRS to provide a life insurance benefit to the beneficiaries of deceased members. The bill was initially filed as a shell bill, and Senate Amendment 1 added in the substantive text.