ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Forty-ninth Legislature – First Regular Session
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES,
RETIREMENT AND ENTITLEMENT REFORM
Minutes of Meeting
House Hearing Room 3 -- 2:00 p.m.
Chairman Boone called the meeting to order at 2:01 p.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.
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Mr. Ash |
Mr. Lopes |
Mrs. Burges, Vice-Chairman |
|
Mr. Heinz |
Mrs. Pancrazi |
Mr. Boone, Chairman |
|
Mrs. Lesko |
Mr. Williams |
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None |
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HB2060 – HELD HB2061 – HELD |
HCM2004 – DP (5-3-0-0) HB2015 – DPA (8-0-0-0) |
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS
HB2060 – law enforcement officers; hearings; evidence - HELD
Chairman Boone announced that HB2060 would be held.
HB2061 – CORP; probation officers; customary employment - HELD
Chairman Boone announced that HB2061 would be held.
HCM2004 – secret ballots; protecting fundamental right – DO PASS
Mr. Williams moved that HCM2004 do pass.
Stacy Weltsch, Majority Research Analyst, stated that HCM2004 asks Congress to oppose Card Check legislation (Attachment 1).
Representative John McComish, Sponsor, reiterated what Ms. Weltsch said and explained that under a Card Check, if 50 percent plus one of workers at a job check a ‘yes’ box to joining a union, the government would be required to certify the union, and a private ballot election would be prohibited. He answered Members’ questions regarding Arizona being a ‘Right-to-Work’ state and he stated that in his opinion, removing the secret ballot was a very bad idea.
Allison Bell, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke in support of HCM2004 and gave a fact sheet to each Member detailing the three provisions of the bill on which she spoke (Attachment 2).
Marcus Osborn, Manager of Government and Public Affairs, Arizona Manufacturers Council, testified in support of HCM2004, stating that the Council believes that if the Card Check program is passed it will have a dire impact on off-shoring of jobs and added that the current system is working well. He responded to questions.
Mr. Williams announced the names of those who signed up in support of HCM2004 but did not speak:
Courtney Gilstrap Levinus, Central Arizona Chamber Coalition
Farrell Quinlan, West Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance
Sydney Hay, Amigos
Steve Barclay, Lobbyist, Beer & Wine Distributors of Arizona
Lorna Romero, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Elizabeth Baskett, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
David Maurer, Prescott Chamber of Commerce
Elaine Arena, Printing Industries Association of Arizona
Kimberly Owens, representing self
Don Isaacson, Aging Services of Arizona
Hieu Tran, Arizona Manufacturers Council
Susan Anable, Manager, Government Relations, Cox Communications
Heather Bernacki, Government Relations, East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance
Mary Beth Giczi, Human Resources Professional, Valley of the Sun
Paul Parisi, Vice President, Governmental Affairs, Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Ken Mueller, Sims Metal Management
Scott Wynn, Chief Operating Officer, Aging Services of Arizona, Beatitudes Campus
James Mann, Chairman, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Pension and Benefits
Michelle Bolton, State Director, National Federation of Independent Business
Mr. Williams announced the names of those who signed up in opposition to HCM2004 but did not speak:
Rebekah Friend, Lobbyist, Arizona American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations
Chuck Foy, Political Director, Arizona State Employees Association, Communications Workers of America
Geoff Esposito, representing self
Jennifer Loredo, Arizona Education Association
Question was called on the motion that HCM2004 do pass. The motion carried by a roll call vote of 5-3-0-0 (Attachment 3).
HB2015 – county retiree health insurance – DO PASS AMENDED
Mr. Williams moved that HB2015 do pass.
Mr. Williams moved that the Boone seven-line amendment dated 02/17/09 (Attachment 4) be adopted.
Stacy Weltsch, Majority Research Analyst, stated that HB2015 removes the restriction that prohibits Boards in counties with a a population of 300,000 or less from expending public funds on group health and accident insurance premiums for retired county employees (Attachment 5). Ms. Weltsch continued that the seven-line Boone amendment dated 02/17/09 (Attachment 4) changes the language to conform to a county omnibus striker that went through the Government Committee.
Todd Madeksza, Director of Education and Licensing, County Supervisors Association, testified in support of HB2015, explaining that the County is looking for revenue neutral provisions to the State that helps the County do its job better and save money. He added that this already exists in statute for Maricopa County and Pima County. He answered Mrs. Lesko’s question on how the State would save money with this legislation, stating that some companies are paying the pre-eligible employee (individuals under 65 who are pre-Medicare eligible with 80 points in the retirement system) both the employer and employee’s portion of health insurance until they qualify for Medicare if they retire early if they cannot afford health insurance. Discussion ensued on retirement and layoffs.
Mr. Williams announced the names of those who signed up in support of HB2015 but did not speak:
Don Isaacson, Fraternal Order of Police
Jennifer Sweeney, Government Affairs Director, Arizona Association of Counties
James Mann, Chairman, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police Pension and Benefits
Question was called on the motion that the Boone seven-line amendment dated 02/17/09 (Attachment 4) be adopted. The motion carried.
Mr. Williams moved that HB2015 as amended do pass. The motion carried by a roll call vote of 8-0-0-0 (Attachment 6).
PRESENTATION
Charlotte Hosseini, Deputy Director, Finance, Arizona Department of Administration, presented a Benefit Services outline (See Arizona Department of Administration, Benefit Services Division - Attachment 7) to the Members, reviewing each benefit and their respective vendors. She responded to questions regarding cost-sharing and family coverage and discussed with the Members state benefits in comparison to other cities, counties and states. Ms. Hosseini invited Members to contact her office at any time if they had any more questions.
Phillip Hamilton, Assistant Director, Arizona Department of Administration, answered questions throughout the presentation at Ms. Hosseini’s request regarding family coverage, co-pays and integrated versus non-integrated employees.
Without objection the meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m.
__________________________________
Sarah Griffith, Committee Secretary
March 3, 2009
(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk, video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov)
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COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES,
RETIREMENT AND ENTITLEMENT REFORM
4
February 17, 2009
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