Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3715 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 03/07/2019

                            86R13138 KFF-D
 By: Flynn H.B. No. 3715


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to assignment of certain death benefits payable by the
 Employees Retirement System of Texas.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 814, Government Code, is
 amended by adding Section 814.404 to read as follows:
 Sec. 814.404.  ASSIGNMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR FUNERAL
 SERVICES. (a)  A beneficiary to whom a benefit is payable under
 this subchapter may by assignment provide that part or all of the
 benefit be paid in consideration for services provided in
 connection with the death of the member directly to a funeral
 director or funeral establishment licensed under:
 (1)  Chapter 651, Occupations Code; or
 (2)  the comparable law of another state.
 (b)  The board of trustees by rule may establish requirements
 for forms, documentation, and procedures necessary for an effective
 assignment under this section.
 SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 814, Government Code, is
 amended by adding Section 814.504 to read as follows:
 Sec. 814.504.  ASSIGNMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR FUNERAL
 SERVICES. (a)  A beneficiary to whom a benefit is payable under
 this subchapter may by assignment provide that part or all of the
 benefit be paid in consideration for services provided in
 connection with the death of the retiree directly to a funeral
 director or funeral establishment licensed under:
 (1)  Chapter 651, Occupations Code; or
 (2)  the comparable law of another state.
 (b)  The board of trustees by rule may establish requirements
 for forms, documentation, and procedures necessary for an effective
 assignment under this section.
 SECTION 3.  (a)  As soon as practicable after the effective
 date of this Act, but not later than January 1, 2020, the board of
 trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas shall adopt
 rules to implement Sections 814.404 and 814.504, Government Code,
 as added by this Act.
 (b)  The change in law made by this Act by the enactment of
 Sections 814.404 and 814.504, Government Code, applies only to a
 benefit that is payable on or after January 1, 2020. A benefit that
 is payable before that date is governed by the law in effect
 immediately before January 1, 2020, and the former law is continued
 in effect for that purpose.
 SECTION 4.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
 this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 (b)  Sections 814.404 and 814.504, Government Code, as added
 by this Act, take effect January 1, 2020.