Chapter 5505-9 | Retirement Board

Rule 5505-9-01 | Election of board members.

• Effective: March 27, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The state highway patrol retirement system (HPRS) board shall conduct elections in accordance with Chapter 5505. of the Revised Code and this rule.

(B) For the purpose of this rule:

(1) "Contributing member" shall be a member described in division (I) of section 5505.01 and section 5505.51 of the Revised Code that is making contributions pursuant to section 5505.15 or 5505.52 of the Revised Code. Eligibility of a "contributing member" shall be determined on the first Monday in April of the year of the election.

(2) "Retirant member" shall have the meaning described in division (J) of section 5505.01 of the Revised Code. Eligibility of a "retirant member" shall be determined on the first Monday in April of the year of the election.

(C) Notification of elections

(1) For any election of an employee member, a notice of election shall be distributed by appropriate means to each facility where a contributing member is assigned not later than May first of the election year. For any election of a retiree member, a notice of election shall be sent to each eligible retirant member through appropriate means not later than May first of the election year.

(2) The notice of election shall include a statement of the requirements for candidacy forms, the date after which candidacy forms shall be available, the final date for receipt of completed candidacy forms, the final date for receipt of completed election ballots, and the date and place for the election count to be conducted under the supervision of judges as designated in paragraph (E) of this rule. The notice of election, candidacy form, and voting instructions shall be approved by the board at its regular February meeting.

(D) Candidacy forms

(1) Candidacy forms may be obtained at the HPRS offices during normal business hours after May first of the election year. Candidacy forms will also be available at www.ohprs.org. Candidacy forms will be mailed by HPRS only upon request.

(2) Candidacy forms must be filed with the HPRS office not later than four thirty p.m. on the date set by the board pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Rule. Persons filing a candidacy form may also submit either a resume or a candidacy statement. A resume or candidacy statement may not exceed one single-sided page and must be submitted with the candidacy form.

(E) Ballots and voting

(1) HPRS may conduct an election by paper ballots or through electronic methods.

(2) The ballot position of each candidate's name shall be rotated.

(3)

(a) Voting materials for each retirant member of the retirement system shall include a ballot, copies of the applicable candidacy form, the resume or candidacy statement, voting instructions, and any other materials the retirement board deems necessary. Voting material shall be distributed to each retirant member by June twentieth of the election year. If the voting instructions are not explicitly followed, the ballot will be voided.

(b) HPRS shall send each contributing member a ballot, voting instructions, and any other material the retirement board deems necessary by June twentieth of the election year. Candidacy forms, resumes, and candidacy statements shall be distributed by appropriate means to each facility where a contributing member is assigned not later than June twentieth of the election year. If the voting instructions are not explicitly followed, the ballot will be voided.

(4)

(a) Completed ballots must be received at the HPRS office, in a manner described in the voting instructions, not later than four-thirty p.m. on the date set by the board pursuant to paragraph (C) of this rule.

(b) As ballot return envelopes are received at HPRS, each shall be date and time-stamped and recorded on the master list of contributing member and retirant member account numbers.

(5)

(a) No sooner than the fourth business day following July twentieth, ballots shall be counted by a committee that includes at least one trustee appointed by the chair. The counting shall be monitored by a representative of the secretary of state.

(b) The candidate may attend the counting of ballots. If the candidate is unable to attend, the candidate may designate, in writing, a member to be present during the counting of ballots. Designations must be made by July twentieth of the election year. No other person, except HPRS employees and individuals described in this rule, may attend the counting of ballots.

(c) Within twenty-four hours of the completion of the count, the elections results shall be forwarded to each facility to which a contributing member is assigned. The election results shall be published on the retirement board's website within thirty days.

(6) There shall be no provision for a recount; however, ballots shall be held for public inspection for thirty days. Ballots may be destroyed by the executive director after the public inspection period.

(7) The official certification of the ballot totals may be destroyed after four years.

(8) In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined by a coin toss conducted by the representative of the secretary of state with "heads" being assigned to the candidate whose last name is first alphabetically and "tails" assigned to the other candidate. If three or more candidates are tied, the representative of the secretary of state shall draw names to select the winner amongst the tied candidates. A name shall be drawn for each vacancy. The manner in which the names are drawn shall be determined by the representative of the secretary of state with the concurrence of the trustee member of the committee selected in accordance with paragraph (E)(5)(a) of this rule.

(9) In the event of more than one vacancy for the same term, a single election shall be held and the candidates with the most votes shall be elected.

(F) If the number of candidates is less than or equal to the number of available board seats, each candidate shall be certified as a trustee without the need for an election.

(G) The board may invalidate an election if, in its discretion, improprieties have had a substantial impact on the fairness of the election.

(H) Pursuant to section 5505.042 of the Revised Code, a special election shall be held in the event of a vacancy or if the board invalidates an election pursuant to paragraph (G) of this rule. The process for a special election shall be the same as for a regular election except all the dates outlined in this rule shall be set as appropriate. No election shall occur if the remainder of the unexpired term is less than ninety days.

(I) All information, ballots, instructions, correspondence or other material described in this rule shall be sent to the address on file with HPRS. It is the sole responsibility of the contributing member or retirant member to ensure HPRS has his or her most current address.

Last updated June 17, 2024 at 11:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.07, 5505.047
Amplifies: 5505.04, 5505.041, 5505.042, 5505.043, 5505.52
Five Year Review Date: 5/20/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1987, 2/1/1994

Rule 5505-9-02 | Travel expense and reimbursement.

• Effective: February 1, 2013
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) Retirement trustees who incur expenses as the result of any necessary travel and attendance for any approved training or meeting shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenses.

(1) Expenses as a result of out of state travel are not eligible for reimbursement unless the travel received prior approval by a majority of trustees at a board meeting.

(2) If attendance for any out of state training or meeting is deemed to be an emergency, the chair of the board may authorize reimbursement of any expenses incurred. Emergency attendance is considered to be any necessary out of state travel which was not known or identified prior to the most recent board meeting.

(3) The chair of the board of trustees shall approve travel expenses incurred as the result of attendance at any approved training or meeting within the state of Ohio.

(4) Reimbursement of expenses incurred attending scheduled meetings within the state of Ohio are authorized following review by the executive director, provided the meeting(s) were scheduled and received prior approval by the chair.

(B) Administrative staff personnel who incur expenses as the result of any necessary travel and attendance for any approved training or meeting shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenses.

(1) Expenses as a result of out of state travel are not eligible for reimbursement unless the travel received prior approval by the executive director.

(2) The executive director shall approve travel expenses incurred as the result of attendance at any approved training or meeting within the state of Ohio.

(C) Trustees and administrative staff personnel shall not accept payment or reimbursement of travel expenses, including lodging, food and beverages, from any source other than the system's expense fund.

(D) All claims for reimbursement of expenses shall be submitted in a timely manner and on a prescribed form, and shall be actual, necessary and within the bounds of prudent judgment.

(E) Reimbursable expenses include the following:

(1) Lodging at the single occupancy rate.

(2) Meals within the bounds of prudent judgment.

(3) Tips as customary and reasonable.

(4) Telephone calls as necessary for regular employment and necessary calls to family when attendance requires an overnight stay.

(5) Transportation within the following parameters;

(a) Air fare at the lowest rate with regard to attendee schedule and employment responsibilities.

(b) Personal vehicle mileage at the established rate, provided the total reimbursement does not exceed the allowable air fare when air transportation is applicable.

(c) Car rental is considered to be a reimbursable expense when necessary and reasonable for business use. Any personal use shall be pro-rated accordingly.

(d) Parking fees necessary for a rental or personal vehicle.

(e) Necessary public transportation.

(F) Receipts are required for all expenses except tips, parking, and local transportation.

Last updated November 1, 2023 at 10:25 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.07
Amplifies: 5505.05, 5505.07
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1986

Rule 5505-9-04 | Notice of retirement board meetings.

• Effective: September 8, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) This rule is adopted in compliance with and under the authority of division (F) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code.

(B) Any person may request the time and place of all regularly scheduled meetings and the time, place, and purpose of all special meetings for the board of trustees of the state highway patrol retirement system (HPRS) by:

(1) Writing to the following address:

"Highway Patrol Retirement System, Attention: Executive Director, 1900 Polaris Parkway, Suite 201, Columbus, Ohio 43240."

(2) Calling one of the following telephone numbers during HPRS' normal business hours:

[phone] or [phone].

(C) Any representative of the news media may obtain notice of all special meetings by requesting in writing that such notice be provided. Such notice will only be given, however, to one representative of any particular publication or radio or television station. A request for such notification shall be addressed to HPRS' executive director at the address outlined in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(1) The request shall provide the name of the individual media representative to be contacted, the mailing address and a maximum of two telephone numbers where such representative can be reached. HPRS shall maintain a list of all representatives of the news media who have requested notice of special meetings pursuant to this rule.

(2) In the event of a special meeting not of an emergency nature, HPRS shall notify all media representatives on the list of such meeting by doing at least one of the following:

(a) Sending written notice, which must be mailed not later than four calendar days prior to the day of the special meeting;

(b) Sending notice by e-mail which must be sent no later than twenty-four hours prior to the time of the meeting;

(c) Notifying such representatives by telephone no later than twenty-four hours prior to the special meeting, with proper telephone notice if a message has been left for the representatives at the telephone numbers provided to HPRS from such representative or if, after reasonable effort, HPRS has been unable to provide such telephone notice;

(d) Informing such representatives personally no later than twenty-four hours prior to the special meeting.

(3) In the event of a special meeting of an emergency nature, HPRS shall notify all media representatives on the list of such meeting by providing the notice described in paragraph (C)(1)(c) or (C)(1)(d) of this rule, or notifying the clerk of the state house press room. In such event, however, the notice need not be given twenty-four hours prior to the meeting, but shall be given as soon as possible.

(4) In giving the notices required by this rule, HPRS may rely on assistance provided by any member of HPRS and any such notice is given if such notice is given by a member in the manner provided in this rule.

(D) HPRS shall maintain a list of all persons, other than media representatives, who have requested, in writing, notice of all meetings of HPRS.

Last updated November 1, 2023 at 10:25 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.04
Amplifies: 5505.04
Five Year Review Date: 9/21/2025
Prior Effective Dates: 8/1/1994, 10/21/2005

Rule 5505-9-05 | Release of records.

• Effective: January 21, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) All information contained in the records of the retirement system shall be open to public inspection except the following:

(1) The personal history record as defined in division (C) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code.

(2) The amount of any pension, benefit, or allowance paid to any benefit recipient.

(3) Medical reports or recommendations, except that this information shall be made available to the member or the member's designee, and to any other persons as necessary for the proper administration of the retirement system.

(4) Information of which the release is prohibited by the Ohio Revised Code, or if the board determines the information is confidential.

(B) Any member, former member, or benefit recipient may authorize, in writing, the release of personal history records or medical reports or recommendations.

(C) Requested documents may be subject to a fee of five cents a copy, plus any packaging and mailing costs.

(D) There shall be no charge to a member or benefit recipient for a copy of specific data produced by HPRS that is a part of the individual's personal history record.

(E) Nothing in paragraph (A) or (B) of this rule is intended to prohibit the release of personal history records as provided in divisions (C), (D) and (E) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code.

(F) As used in division (F) of section 5505.04 of the Revised Code, the retirement system logo on official letterhead will function as the system's official seal.

(G) Records of the retirement system may be maintained in digital form. Physical records are subject to immediate destruction; however, records that are deemed to be critical by the retirement board, including member and retirant files, will be retained in printed form for a minimum of six months after imaging.

Last updated November 1, 2023 at 10:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.07
Amplifies: 5505.04
Five Year Review Date: 6/29/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 8/1/1991, 12/11/2009

Rule 5505-9-06 | Ohio-qualified agents and investment managers.

• Effective: January 18, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) For purposes of section 5505.0610 and division (A)(4) of section 5505.068 of the Revised Code, an investment manager may be designated as an "Ohio-qualified investment manager" if the investment manager and/or any parents, affiliates, or subsidiaries of the investment manager meets the requirements of divisions (A)(1) and (A)(2) of section 5505.0610 of the Revised Code.

(B) For purposes of sections 5505.068 and 5505.0610 of the Revised Code, "principal place of business" includes an office in which the agent or investment manager regularly provides securities or investment advisory services and solicits, meets with, or otherwise communicates with clients.

Last updated November 1, 2023 at 10:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.07
Amplifies: 5505.068, 5505.0610
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2028

Rule 5505-9-07 | Audio visual recordings of meetings and hearings.

• Effective: February 1, 2013
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) No person shall broadcast, televise, record, or photograph any meeting of the board or a committee of the board, unless the person first receives written permission from the board's chair.

(B) If the chair of the board or committee determines that broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing during the meeting would not distract board members or participants or otherwise materially interfere with the achievement of the meeting, the broadcasting, television, recording, or photographing during the meetings that are open to the public may be permitted under the following conditions:

(1) A request for permission for the broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing in the meeting room shall be made in writing to the chair of the board or committee. The request shall be made part of the record of the meeting; and

(2) The chair of the board or committee grants written permission prior to commencement of the meeting. The written permission shall be made part of the record of the meeting.

(a) If permission is granted, the place or places in the meeting room where operators and equipment are to be positioned shall be specified by the chair of the board or committee.

(b) The filming, videotaping, recording, or photographing of any person who objects, shall not be permitted.

(C) No executive session shall be broadcast, televised, recorded, or photographed.

Last updated November 1, 2023 at 10:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.07
Amplifies: 5505.04
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2028

Rule 5505-9-08 | Committees of the retirement board.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 111.15

(A) The following are standing committees of the retirement board:

(1) Health, wellness, and disability;

(2) Administration;

(3) Investment;

(4) Audit;

(5) Health care funding.

(B) At the discretion of the chair:

(1) Work may be assigned to a committee;

(2) Special committees may be formed;

(3) Committee members may be assigned and reassigned.

(C) The annual election of each committee chair and vice-chair shall occur at the first regular committee meeting following the first regular board meeting after July thirty-first. In the event that a committee officer does not serve the entire term, the board chair will select a replacement.

(D) The minutes shall be the record of the proceedings of a committee. Draft copies of the written minutes shall be circulated to the committee for approval. After approval, the minutes shall be retained as a permanent record.

Last updated April 6, 2023 at 4:28 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 5505.04
Amplifies: 5505.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/6/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 9/28/2010