HBA-SEB H.B. 1229 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1229 By: Lewis, Ron Pensions and Investments 2/22/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law sets limits on the length of time that a retired educator may return to work without incurring penalties to benefits provided through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (retirement system). Specifically, a retired educator may work part-time, full-time for six months, or full-time as a substitute, without penalty from the retirement system. This may inhibit the ability of school districts to address teacher shortages by employing retired educators. H.B. 1229 prohibits the retirement system from withholding benefits from a classroom teacher who returns to the classroom to teach a subject area in which the teacher is certified. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 824.602(a), Government Code, to prohibit the Teacher Retirement System of Texas from withholding a monthly benefit payment under Section 824.601, Education Code (Loss of Monthly Benefits), if the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution in a position as a classroom teacher on as much as a full-time basis and if the retiree is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code (Certification of Educators), to teach the subjects assigned. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000 school year. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.