HBA-SEB H.B. 2239 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2239
By: Berman
Pensions and Investments
3/23/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a member of the Texas County and District Retirement System
(TCDRS) becomes a vested member after eight years of service.  An elected
official who serves less than eight years in office cannot become vested in
TCDRS.  Although the officer is reimbursed for salary deductions, the
subdivision participating in TCDRS is not reimbursed for its contributions
to the officer's account.  H.B. 2239 provides an elected officer with the
option not to participate or to discontinue membership in TCDRS for the
duration of the officer's term.  In this way, the subdivision does not make
contributions for an elected officer who chooses not to participate in
TCDRS.   

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 842, Government Code, by adding
Section 842.1015, as follows: 

Sec. 842.1015.  OPTIONAL MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS.  Provides that a
person elected after August 31, 1999, as an officer of a subdivision
participating in the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS)
does not become a member of TCDRS if the officer files a notice of
intention not to become a member.  Authorizes a person who is a member of
TCDRS at the time of election to decline to continue active membership for
the period of the person's service in office by filing a notice of that
intent.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.