Policy Statement  Policy #97-006: Selection of Commission Seventh Member

Date:	05/27/1997
Referenced Sources:	Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission

Selection of Commission Seventh Member

The Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (Commission) must perform its oversight function and management of affairs in an efficient and effective manner in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth.   

When the Legislature created the Commission it mandated that the seventh member of the Commission be selected by the other six Commission members for a term of five years and to serve as Chairman of the Commission.  The Legislature further mandated that if a vacancy occurs in the position of Chairman of the Commission, the successor would be appointed in the same manner.  An appointment to a vacancy that occurs before the expiration of a term is for the remainder of that term.  The Commission therefore establishes this policy to assure that the position of the seventh Commission member, who also serves as Chairman of the Commission, is filled in an expeditious and fair manner, whether the position becomes vacant by expiration of the term or otherwise. 

If the position of Chairman of the Commission becomes vacant, the Vice-Chairman shall serve as Interim Chairman until the seventh Commission member is appointed in the manner described below. 

In the event of a vacancy in the position of the seventh member of the Commission, whether by expiration of the term or otherwise, each Commission member may propose any person or persons for consideration by the Commission for appointment as the seventh Commission member.  The process shall also include posting of said vacancy on the PERAC website along with a notification to all local and state retirement systems and publication of general circulation within the Massachusetts public pension community. 

Names and brief biographical sketches of any person proposed or having applied shall be submitted to the Executive Director for consideration.  Submissions should be made in sufficient time before the next scheduled Commission meeting so that the materials can be disseminated to each Commission member by the Executive Director at least one week prior to the Commission Meeting. 

The Executive Director shall cause the matter of the selection of the seventh Commission member to be placed on the agenda of said meeting unless otherwise determined by a vote of the Commission. 

The Executive Director shall notify each person proposed for consideration or having applied of the time and place of the Commission meeting at which the matter will be considered.   

During an open session at a scheduled Commission meeting the Commission members may ask questions of each candidate for appointment as the seventh member of the Commission and each person will be allowed to make a brief statement to the Commission. 

The selection of the seventh Commission member will take place by means of a roll call vote of the Commission members present during an open session of a scheduled Commission meeting. 

Adopted at Commission meeting dated May 27, 1997 and amended on December 13, 2017 – 17-001