88R2733 CJC-D
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1773
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an annual adjustment for inflation to the monthly
amount of longevity pay for state employees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 659.044, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to
read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) and
Section 659.0445, the monthly amount of longevity pay is the amount
set by the comptroller under Subsection (a-1) [$20] for every two
years of lifetime service credit.
(a-1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the comptroller
shall set the amount of longevity pay for purposes of Subsection (a)
in the manner provided by this subsection. The comptroller shall
increase the amount of longevity pay in effect during the year in
which the increase is made by an amount equal to the product of the
amount of longevity pay in effect for that year and the percentage
increase, if any, in an index considered by the comptroller to most
accurately report annual changes in the purchasing power of the
dollar for consumers in this state. The increased amount of
longevity pay is effective for the 12-month period beginning on
September 1 of the year in which the increase is made. Not later
than August 1 of each year, the comptroller shall publish notice of
the increased amount of longevity pay determined under this
subsection and the period for which that amount will be effective in
the Texas Register and post that information in a prominent
location on the comptroller's Internet website.
(a-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1), for the state
fiscal year beginning September 1, 2023, and ending August 31,
2024, the comptroller shall set the amount of longevity pay for
purposes of Subsection (a) in an amount equal to the sum of $20 and
the product of $20 and the percentage increase, if any, in an index
considered by the comptroller to most accurately report annual
changes in the purchasing power of the dollar for consumers in this
state. This subsection expires September 1, 2024.
SECTION 2. The comptroller of public accounts shall
calculate the amount of longevity pay in effect for the state fiscal
year beginning September 1, 2023, in the manner required by Section
659.044(a-2), Government Code, as added by this Act. In the state
fiscal year beginning September 1, 2024, and in subsequent state
fiscal years, the comptroller of public accounts shall calculate
the amount of longevity pay in effect for the applicable state
fiscal year in the manner required by Section 659.044(a-1),
Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.