The following words and phrases as used in this subchapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:

1. (1) “Employee” shall mean any regular officer or employee who is employed for not less than 40 calendar weeks in a year, other than a person engaged under retainer or special agreement. In all cases of doubt, the Retirement Board shall determine whether any person is an employee as defined in this subchapter.
2. (2) “National Guard employees” shall mean employees of the Vermont National Guard hired under 32 U.S.C. § 709.
3. (3) “Employer” shall mean any political subdivision of the State of Vermont and the Vermont National Guard as to employees thereof hired under 32 U.S.C. § 709.
4. (4) “Governing board” shall mean the governing body, by whatever name known, of such employer.
5. (5) “Local retirement fund” shall mean any retirement, pension, or benefit fund partially or wholly maintained at the expense of an employer.
6. (6) “Retirement Board” shall mean the Retirement Board of the State Retirement System.

(Added 1971, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; amended 1973, No. 251 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 22, § 6.)