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Minutes for SB242 - Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
Short Title
Amending the definition of "service-connected" in the Kansas police and firemen's retirement system.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 14, 2018
Chairperson Longbine called the meeting to order and opened the hearing on SB242. Eileen Ma, Assistant Revisor of Statutes, presented a brief explanation of the bill.
Alan Conroy, Executive Director, Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), presented neutral informational testimony. He explained that SB242 adds to the definition of "service-connected" pertaining to a death or any physical or mental disability of a KP&F member by adding hepatitis C and specifying cancers of the brain, skin, digestive system, hematological system and genitourinary system. Mr. Conroy told members that any change in the cost of benefits would be reflected in the actuarial required contributions, but since KP&F employers already pay the full actuarial contribution rate, the change could affect future employer contributions. SB242 is narrowly focused and would be estimated to affect a small number of KP&F members. Therefore, SB242 is expected to have no meaningful actuarial impact. (Attachment 1)
Robert S. Wing, President, Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters and Business Manager of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 64, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wing quoted multi-year studies done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) begun in 2010 and completed in 2015. These studies of 30,000 fire fighters from across the country showed that fire fighters are at a significant risk for many types of cancer, including oral, digestive, respiratory, urinary, malignant mesothelioma, bladder, prostate, lung, and leukemia. Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among fire fighters. (Attachment 2)
Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Associations for Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, and Kansas Peace Officers, testified in support of SB242. He told members that the exposure risk to law enforcement officers to carcinogens also occurs, although, perhaps not at the same level of fire fighters. His organizations also support the addition of Hepatitis C and D to the list, and also the other cancers listed. He urged members to support passage of SB242. (Attachment 3)
Chairperson Longbine asked a question about whether this bill covers volunteer fire fighters. Alan Conroy responded that volunteer fire fighters are not covered by police and fire or regular KPERS because they have to be in a more-than-half-time or full-time paid position, so they are not eligible for the KP&F disability plan.
There being no additional questions or discussion, and no other proponent, opponent, or neutral testimony submitted, Chairperson Longbine closed the hearing on SB242.
