2014 House Bill 5570 / Public Act 185

Detroit bankruptcy settlement and grant package - pension details

Introduced in the House

May 8, 2014

Introduced by Rep. Ken Yonker (R-72)

To establish a Detroit pension investment committee to oversee management of the city’s defined benefit pension system. The system would still be run by the existing pension board, but a process would be instituted by which the chief financial officer for the city proposed by House Bill 5567 would have final authority in the event the committee and the pension board disagreed on investment management decisions. The bill would also impose additional restrictions and disclosure requirements on reimbursed travel by pension fund board members, officials or employees. This is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5566 to 5575 that are related to the Detroit bankruptcy and a proposed state grant to the city of $195 million.

Referred to the Committee on Detroit's Recovery and Michigan's Future

May 21, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 22, 2014

Substitute offered

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Ken Yonker (R-72)

To revise the nomenclature for the post-bankruptcy pension system.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Douglas Geiss (D-12)

To prohibit the Detroit pension system from making further investments in a controversial hazardous waste disposal well in Romulus, and if the pension system ends up owning the financially troubled well, close it rather than sell it.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered

To require Detroit pension fund "investment fiduciaries" to submit reports to the financial oversight panes created by House Bill 5566.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 105 to 5 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 27, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

June 3, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To establish a Detroit pension investment committee to oversee management of the city’s defined benefit pension system. The system would still be run by the existing pension board, but a process would be instituted by which the chief financial officer for the city proposed by House Bill 5567 would have final authority in the event the committee and the pension board disagreed on investment management decisions. The bill would also impose additional restrictions and disclosure requirements on reimbursed travel by pension fund board members, officials or employees. This is part of a legislative package consisting of House Bills 5566 to 5575 that are related to the Detroit bankruptcy and a proposed state grant to the city of $195 million.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 19, 2014