Pension Reform Sent to Governor

The House of Representatives passed SB 899 by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, which would revoke state retirement benefits from state or county officers convicted of felonies.

Senate Bill 899 provides that any such officer or employee shall vacate his or her office or employment upon final conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony. Also, if such felony violates his or her oath of office the officer or employee shall forfeit all benefits of the office or employment including retirement benefits.

“Recently, there have been court cases regarding retirement benefits being forfeited by elected officials convicted of a crime, and yet the official was able to keep taxpayer-funded retirement benefits due to a loophole in the law,” said Coffee. “We hope Senate Bill 899 closes that loophole forever.”

This legislation specifies that the forfeiture of retirement benefits will apply to any such officer or employee who, after leaving the office or employment is convicted of bribery, corruption, forgery or perjury or any other crime related to the duties of the office or employment or related to campaign contributions or campaign financing for that or any other office.

“For too many years now, taxpayers have been stuck supporting Oklahoma felons,” Coffee added. “If an elected official or employee who is entrusted by the citizens of Oklahoma breaches that trust, they should not continue to benefit from the largesse of the taxpayer.”

Senate Bill 899 will now go to the Governor’s desk for his signature into law.