AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority.

Amend various sections of KRS Chapters 16, 61, and 78 to make housekeeping changes relating the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority's (KPPA) administration of the systems governed by the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) and the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) boards of trustees; amend KRS 16.505, 61.510, and 78.510 to make various changes and additions to definitions; amend KRS 61.525 and 78.540 to remove outdated language and comply with federal law regarding membership; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 16.652, 61.546, and 61.692 in response to the Supreme Court decision voiding 2018 RS SB 151 and make technical changes; amend KRS 61.552 to require Tier 3 members to remit employee contributions before receiving military service credit; change references to participation date to "membership date" to conform to 2021 amendments; amend KRS 61.569 to set forth process for repayment of employee contributions after a member's employment is reinstated by order of a court or tribunal; amend KRS 61.590 to define "employment" as used in provisions requiring notice of retirement; amend KRS 61.615 to permit KPPA to employ vocational experts to review and evaluate employment information in disability review cases and remove review of physical exertion requirement when disability is due solely to a mental illness; make technical changes; amend KRS 61.625 regarding procedures for members who receive a refund in error or who have taken a refund and subsequently have their reemployment reinstated; amend KRS 61.637 and 78.5540 to conform with respect to the process for repayment of employee contributions after a member's employment is reinstated by order of a court or tribunal and the requirements of a three month break in service for retired members returning to work with the same employer as an independent contractor or leased employee; amend KRS 61.645 and 78.782 to permit voting by telephone in trustee elections; change name of annual report to Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to conform to national standard naming convention; make technical corrections; amend KRS 61.650 to make a housekeeping change; amend KRS 61.665 to change the process for the review of disability applications to permit only one medical examiner to review initial applications; provide that if a member is approved for disability, no additional reviews are required, and if not approved, a process using up to two more examiners shall be employed; amend KRS 61.705 and 78.5538 to provide that the death benefit of $5,000 is payable to a beneficiary of member, not the member, and is not subject to garnishment unless the beneficiary is the member's estate or there is an overpayment of benefits or outstanding balance owed to the system; amend KRS 61.652, 61.505, 61.685, 61.702, 78.530, 78.5536, and 78.852 to conform and make technical changes.