54-52-02.1. Political subdivisions authorized to join public employees retirement system

54-52-02.1. Political subdivisions authorized to join public employees retirement system. 1. A political subdivision may, on behalf of its permanent employees, on behalf of its peace officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency medical services personnel, and correctional officers separately from its other employees, and permanent noncertified employees only in the case of school districts, enter agreements with the retirement board for the purpose of extending the benefits of the public employees retirement system, as provided in this chapter or chapter 54-52.6, to those employees. The agreement may, in accordance with this chapter and chapter 54-52.6, contain provisions relating to benefits, contributions, effective date, modification, administration, and other appropriate provisions as the retirement board and the political subdivision agree upon, but the agreement must provide: a. The political subdivision will contribute on behalf of each eligible employee an amount equal to that provided in section 54-52-06 or 54-52-06.3 for peace officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency medical services personnel, and correctional officers participating separately from other political subdivision employees. b. A portion of the moneys paid by the political subdivision may be used to pay administrative expenses of the retirement board. 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a political subdivision having an existing police, dispatcher, emergency medical services personnel, or firefighter pension plan may merge that plan into the public employees retirement system under rules adopted by and in a manner determined by the board. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a political subdivision of this state not currently participating in the public employees retirement system may not become a participant in the retirement system until an actuarial study is performed under the direction of the board to calculate the required employer contribution for any past service liability and the required employer contribution must be an amount determined sufficient to amortize and fund any past service liability over a period not to exceed thirty years as determined by the board. Any fees incurred in performing the actuarial study must be paid for by the political subdivision in a manner determined by the board.