Texas Senate Bill SB2904

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25

Caption

Relating to the issuance of obligations by certain counties to pay the unfunded liabilities of the county to a public retirement system.

Impact

The introduction of SB2904 could have significant implications for local government finance and public sector employees' retirement plans. By enabling counties to issue obligations to fund their unfunded liabilities, the bill seeks to secure necessary funding without resorting to immediate tax increases. However, this financial maneuver will require the approval of voters within the county, making public support crucial for its implementation. The long-term goal is to maintain the viability of public retirement systems, thereby protecting employees' pensions and related benefits.

Summary

Senate Bill 2904 aims to address the growing concern of unfunded liabilities associated with public retirement systems in certain counties in Texas. Specifically, the bill allows counties with a population of 800,000 or more, which are adjacent to counties with populations exceeding four million, to issue obligations such as bonds and notes. This legislative measure intends to provide a mechanism for these counties to manage their unfunded liabilities effectively, thereby ensuring the financial stability of their public retirement systems.

Contention

Notably, the bill includes provisions that require a written agreement between the county and the governing body of the relevant public retirement system before the issuance of obligations. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of ad valorem taxes for repayment, allowing counties to utilize general fund revenues or sales tax revenues for this purpose. These stipulations may generate discussions regarding transparency and accountability in the management of public funds since the agreement details must be accessible to the public, and voter engagement will be key in the approval process.