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.