House Bill 644 Summary

• Amends Section 59-1302, Idaho Code, to add clarifications and definitions related to the Public Employee Retirement System.

• Adds definition of "Alternate payee" as a spouse or former spouse recognized by an approved domestic retirement order as having rights to accrued benefits in the retirement system.

• Adds definition of "Approved domestic retirement order" as a domestic order that creates or recognizes alternate payee rights and directs the system to establish segregated accounts or disburse benefits, subject to executive director approval.

• Adds definitions for "Average monthly salary," "Base period," "Segregated account," and "Lifetime annuity" to establish the calculation methods and benefit distribution options for retirement benefits.

• Excludes substitute teachers, substitute assistants, and certain employees in optional retirement programs from the definition of "Employee" under the system.