Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 337 amends the Texas Statewide Volunteer Fire Fighters Retirement Act to include emergency services personnel who are volunteer or auxiliary employees of a participating department. The name of the Texas Statewide Volunteer Fire Fighters Retirement Act is changed to the Texas Statewide Emergency Services Retirement Act, and the fund name is changed to the Texas statewide emergency services personnel retirement fund. House Bill 337 authorizes a governing body that currently provides coverage for volunteer firefighters under the Act to opt out of the expanded coverage. This option must be exercised within 60 days of the bill's enactment. It also prohibits a municipality from rescinding an election to participate in the fund.

The act takes effect September 1, 1997, except for the provision redefining "qualified service," which takes effect January 1, 1998.