BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2522
                                             By: Stiles (Sponsor)
                                                          Finance
                                                         05-23-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The 66th Legislature created the Law Enforcement and Custodial
Officers Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF) to work in
conjunction with the Employees Retirement System of Texas to
provide certain employees in law enforcement with enhanced
retirement benefits.  LECOSRF allows employees in hazardous
occupations to retire earlier and to receive a higher annuity than
other state employees.

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy was authorized to commission
peace officers in 1981 pursuant to Article 4542a-1, V.T.C.S., but
the board's peace officers are not included as law enforcement
officers or custodial officers entitled to the enhanced retirement
benefits of LECOSRF.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2522 provides that law enforcement officers and
commissioned peace officers of the State Board of Pharmacy are
eligible to participate in benefits in the Employees Retirement
System of Texas.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 811.001(9), Government Code, to redefine
"law enforcement officer."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 814.104(b), Government Code, to provide
that a member of the Employees Retirement System of Texas who is at
least 55 years old and who has at least 10 years of service credit
as a commissioned peace officer engaged in criminal law enforcement
activities of certain departments and commissions, including the
State Board of Pharmacy, is eligible to retire and receive a
service retirement annuity.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 815.505, Government Code, to make a
conforming change.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 27, Chapter 791, Acts of the 73rd
Legislature, 1993, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.