For the purposes of this article, "participant" includes a member as defined in section 38-842, paragraph 31, subdivision (a), excluding subdivision (a), item (vi), who is hired on or after January 1, 2012 and before July 1, 2017, who is not covered by the federal old age and survivors insurance system and who is a member of the system.
A.R.S. § 38-865.01