Double-dipping bill in Senate committee

SANTA FE (KRQE) - The Senate Public Affairs Committee is expected to take up a bill to ban retired state employees from double-dipping — collecting pensions and salary at the same time.

Under the bill, which already passed the House, retired state employees would have to wait a full year before returning to work and would cap their salary at $30,000.

Current law allows workers to return to work after nine months of retirement and doesn't cap salaries.

If it passes the committee, the bill still needs to get through another committee before it reaches the Senate floor.

Gov. Bill Richardson has said he'll sign it if it makes it to his desk.