Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Joint Resolution 54 proposes a state constitutional amendment to prohibit the reduction or other impairment of service and disability retirement benefits and death benefits to public officers and employees of a local public retirement system, with the retirement system and each political subdivision that finances its benefits being jointly responsible for ensuring those benefits are maintained. The amendment excludes a retirement system that provides such benefits to firefighters and police officers employed by the City of San Antonio and excludes life insurance and certain disability benefits. The amendment prohibits the reduction or other impairment of benefits that were granted to a retiree or other annuitant before the effective date of this provision and that were in effect on that date, or due to a change in the program's benefits if the person could have or has terminated employment before the change's effective date and the person would have been eligible for those benefits without accumulating additional service. The amendment limits the liability for these benefits by active members of a retirement system to payment contributions required by law to the system.

            House Joint Resolution 54 exempts from the application of these provisions a political subdivision that finances retirement system benefits if the political subdivision holds an election in May 2004 on the date specified for electing its officers, if the majority of voters at the election favor exempting the political subdivision and the retirement system from the application of these provisions, and if that exemption is the only issue on the ballot relating to the funding and benefits of the retirement system. If voters approve H.J.R. 54, it takes effect September 13, 2003.