Public Hearings Rescheduled to Discuss Important Governmental Plan Guidance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that public hearings will be held in Washington, D.C. on advance notice of proposed rulemaking previously published in the Federal Register on Nov. 8, 2011, regarding governmental plans (view our Nov. 7, 2011, bulletin on the proposed rulemaking).

The first public hearing will be held on July 9, 2012, to discuss the determination of governmental plan status in general. The second public hearing will be held on July 10, 2012, to address the determination of governmental plan status for plans established by Indian Tribal Governments. The notices announcing the public hearings were published in the Federal Register on Feb. 3, 2012 (77 FR 5442 and 77 FR 5442-5443, respectively), and supersede the prior notices the IRS published in the Federal Register on Jan. 23, 2012. The new notices also extend the date by which public comments on the proposed rulemaking must be submitted to June 18, 2012. Outlines of the topics to be discussed at the public hearings must be received by June 18, 2012, as well.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding the public hearings and how the proposed rulemaking may impact your governmental plan, please contact Mary Beth Braitman, Terry A.M. Mumford, Katrina Clingerman, Lisa Harrison or any member of the Ice Miller Employee Benefits Group.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader must consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader's specific circumstances.