Texas House Bill HB2913

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to retirement benefits for law enforcement officers employed and commissioned by certain institutions of higher education.

Impact

If passed, HB 2913 will reform the retirement system for law enforcement officers, integrating them into the Employees Retirement System of Texas. This amendment would allow greater access to retirement benefits for officers who have traditionally been a part of the Teacher Retirement System, thereby facilitating smoother transitions between the two systems. In essence, the bill expands membership in the retirement system, thereby potentially improving the financial security and retirement readiness of officers serving in these educational institutions.

Summary

House Bill 2913 seeks to amend provisions within the Government Code concerning retirement benefits specifically for law enforcement officers employed by public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill redefines who qualifies as a law enforcement officer to include those commissioned by recognized public institutions, and aims to create stronger ties between retirement systems applicable to these officers and other public safety officials. By doing so, it intends to ensure that law enforcement personnel in educational settings receive equitable retirement benefits comparable to their counterparts in other state agencies.

Contention

The major points of contention surrounding the bill could include concerns from existing members of the retirement systems about the implications of this integration. Although the bill is framed as beneficial for law enforcement officers, critics might argue about the financial sustainability of expanding the retirement system to include more members. Lawmakers may debate whether this will increase the financial burden on the state and whether it detracts from the targeted benefits intended for officers deeply involved in education-related law enforcement.