HBA-EDN S.J.R. 52 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.J.R. 52
By: Bivins
Teacher Health Insurance, Select
5/16/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Constitution provides only for contributions to the
Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) to be used for the retirement and
related disability and death benefits of public school employees.  The
constitution provides that the money is held in trust for the benefit of
members and is prohibited from being diverted.  As proposed, Senate Joint
Resolution 52 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional
amendment providing for the use of contributions to the pension fund of TRS
to finance health care benefits for retirees of the system.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution
does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Joint Resolution 52 amends the Texas Constitution to authorize the
legislature to enact laws to include within the retirement benefits
provided to retirees by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) health
care benefits that are financed by contributions to TRS in the manner
provided by federal law. 

FOR ELECTION

This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at
an election to be held August 11, 2001.