SB 1611

Abstract

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that a leave of absence may not be denied to a State employee who requests leave under the Act and who has provided notification of the leave at least 14 calendar days prior to the requested leave date. Provides that a State employee who provides less than 14 calendar days' notice of the leave may be denied leave if the State employee's agency demonstrates that the leave would create a health or safety hazard in the workplace. Provides that, if the leave is denied, written notification must be provided to the employee within 24 hours after the employee's request for leave. Provides that, once the leave has been approved, approval for the leave may not be rescinded. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) Under SB 1611, as engrossed, state employees who avail themselves of a leave of absence for firefighter training will continue to receive compensation, and thus, pensionable service credit in SERS for such periods of leave. The bill states that the employee’s agency can reduce his or her compensation by the amount the member is paid for the training; thus, SERS states that situations may arise where members may wish to purchase “earnings credits.” The SERS Article of the Pension Code requires members wishing to establish earnings credits to pay to SERS an amount equal to the employee contribution based upon the rate of compensation paid immediately prior to the leave, plus interest at the actuarially assumed rate, from the beginning of the leave of absence to the date of payment. Under current law, an employee who receives no compensation during a leave of absence may establish service credit in SERS by paying the aforementioned amounts, plus the employer’s normal cost for the period of the leave. Inasmuch as state employees would be compensated during firefighter training leaves of absence under SB 1611, and thus would not be required to pay the employer’s normal cost for the period of the leave, there would be a very minor fiscal impact upon SERS commensurate with the number of state employees who avail themselves of such periods of leave. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Central Management Services) SB 1611, as engrossed, will have a fiscal impact to CMS but this impact cannot be identified at present. The maximum time allowance for training is approximately 37 days. CMS cannot gauge the participation this would generate in the state. There is the obvious loss of productivity and expertise from the employee's absence that will need to be compensated for through overtime, temporaries, etc.. Finally, it will take some time and additional resources to develop and effectuate rules for the Act and allow for software and programming changes. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1611; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1611, as engrossed, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to Senate Bill 1611, as amended by Senate Amendment 1, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence and will not impact the cost of housing development in the state of Illinois. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) The legislation will not increase or decrease the number of judges needed in the state of Illinois.