Retirement: joint powers authorities.

Senator Rubio's retirement legislation expands pension options for joint powers authorities (JPAs) while maintaining California's pension reform requirements. The bill permits the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency to offer certain employees the defined benefit plans that were available through member agencies before 2013, provided those employees join the authority within 180 days of retirement plan amendments and are not new members under the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

The legislation also allows other JPAs to extend pre-2013 defined benefit plans to employees of agencies that join the authority after its formation, subject to retirement system approval. These employees must not be new members under PEPRA and must transfer to the JPA within 180 days of their agency becoming a member. The bill maintains PEPRA's requirements for all new employees and members.

For the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency specifically, the authority must select by April 1, 2026 which pre-2013 defined benefit formula from its member agencies it will offer to qualifying employees. The bill's findings note this provision addresses unique staffing needs for flood protection in a historically vulnerable region.