Santa Ana, CA (September 28, 2026) – The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1619 (Valencia, D-Anaheim) into law on September 27, 2026. The legislation amends Government Code section 31521 to allow an increase in the per-meeting compensation paid to eligible members of county boards of retirement.

Under current law, the Orange County Board of Supervisors may provide that certain OCERS trustees receive up to $100 for each Board of Retirement meeting or meeting of a committee authorized by the full Board. AB 1619 authorizes the OCERS Board of Retirement to increase that rate to no more than $320 per meeting if the Orange County Board of Supervisors adopts the provision.

The legislation also increases the meeting compensation rate to $320 for certain members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) boards. In addition, it provides the Los Angeles County Boards of Retirement and Board of Investments with authority to increase their meeting compensation rate to no more than $320, subject to approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The $100 rate was established in state law approximately 50 years ago and was adopted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for eligible OCERS trustees approximately 40 years ago. The new statutory cap is intended to account for the decades of inflation since the existing rate was established.

Retirement board members carry significant fiduciary responsibilities overseeing investments and benefits that public employees and retirees depend on. AB 1619 modernizes compensation to better reflect those responsibilities, account for inflation and help reduce financial barriers that may discourage qualified individuals from serving as trustees.

OCERS Trustee Roger Hilton’s advocacy was instrumental in advancing AB 1619 through the legislative process. Hilton championed the issue for years and across multiple legislative sessions, demonstrating persistence and commitment in helping move the legislation forward.

“We are incredibly grateful to Trustee Hilton for his years of dedication and persistence in championing this effort,” said Steve Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of OCERS.

OCERS is also grateful to Assemblymember Avelino Valencia for authoring AB 1619 and Assemblymember Phillip Chen for coauthoring the legislation.

AB 1619 takes effect January 1, 2027, but the increase in compensation is not automatic. The legislation is an enabling statute, and a higher rate will apply to OCERS only after the required actions are taken.

First, the Orange County Board of Supervisors must publicly notice the provision and adopt it by majority vote. The OCERS Board of Retirement must then act to set the compensation rate, up to the new statutory maximum of $320 per meeting.

Until both steps are completed, the current $100 per-meeting rate remains in effect.

###

Press Release: Press Release: Governor Signs AB 1619