Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E629-630)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 24, 1996

Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make inapplicable to defined benefit governmental plans a rule limiting benefits to 100 percent of a participant's average compensation for the participant's high three years. Provides for the treatment of and defines qualified governmental excess benefit arrangements. Exempts survivor and disability benefits under governmental plans from certain otherwise required benefit reductions. Revises provisions concerning the treatment of deferred benefits plans of State and local governments and tax-exempt organizations.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4] · D–MN

Committees

Ways and Means Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 25, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E629-630)
Apr 24, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Apr 24, 1996
Introduced in House
Apr 24, 1996
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 24, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3316 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3316, 104th Congress: Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3316/BILLS-104hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:17:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3316 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3316, 104th Congress: Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3316/BILLS-104hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:17:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3316, 104th Congress: Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3316/BILLS-104hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:17:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3316, 104th Congress: Public Employee Retirement Security Act of 1996

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3316/BILLS-104hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:17:12Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.