BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3207

By: Herrero

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed a great strain on our public school system staffing levels. Many school district retirees, from retired teachers to retired bus drivers, temporarily went back to work to help their communities during this time of great need. However, concerns have been raised that some of these retirees were penalized by losing their monthly Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) benefit payment because they returned to work. H.B. 3207 seeks to address these concerns by providing for a prohibition against TRS withholding a monthly benefit payment from a retiree during a disaster declaration in order to ensure retirees are not penalized if they return to work temporarily to assist their community during an emergency.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas in SECTION 3 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3207 amends the Government Code to prohibit the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) from withholding a monthly benefit payment from a retiree due to a resumption of service if the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution in a position in an area subject to a disaster declaration under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 while the declaration is in effect. That prohibition applies only to employment on or after the bill's effective date. The bill requires TRS to adopt rules to implement the bill's provisions.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.