HBA-MPM H.B. 1079 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1079 By: McReynolds Pensions & Investments 2/20/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) has a separate designation for commissioned law enforcement officers which offers the officers to retirement benefits. Currently, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the state fire marshal's office employ approximately 16 and 40 commissioned law enforcement officers, respectively, who are not members of ERS. House Bill 1079 adds the officers employed by TDI and the state fire marshal's office under the law enforcement officer designation in ERS. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 1079 amends the Government Code to extend benefits from the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) to law enforcement officers commissioned by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) or the state fire marshal. The bill requires TDI and the state fire marshal to certify to ERS before October 1, 2001 the name of each law enforcement officer employed by TDI or the state fire marshal, as applicable, and other information that ERS determines necessary for the crediting of service and financing of benefits. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.