SRC-HRD H.B. 3134 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3134
By: Naishtat (Barrientos)
Intergovernmental Relations
5-5-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The City of Austin recently agreed to temporarily pay a portion of the
contributions otherwise payable to the retirement, disability and death
benefits funded by individual fire fighters. Article 6243e.1, V.T.C.S.,
must be amended in order for this to occur.  This statute also contains
language that is obsolete.                

H.B. 3134 would delete several provisions of Article 6234e.1, V.T.C.S.,
that relate to contributions to the fighfighters relief and retirement
fund required for periods of time prior to October 1, 1995. This
legislation would also allow the municipality, by agreement, to pay a
portion of the contributions otherwise payable to the fund by  individual
fire fighters. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3134 deletes several provisions of Article 6234e.1,
V.T.C.S., that relate to contributions to the firefighters relief and
retirement fund required for periods of time prior to October 1, 1995.
This legislation also allows a municipality, by agreement, to pay a
portion of the contributions otherwise payable to the fund by individual
fire fighters.                                                    
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 10.01, Article 6243e.1, V.T.C.S., to delete
existing Subsections (a) and (b).  Requires each municipality in which a
fire department to which this Act applies is located to appropriate and
contribute to the firefighters relief and retirement fund an amount equal
to 18.05 percent of the compensation of all members that month, rather
than requiring a each municipality to take that action for each month
after September 30, 1995.  Authorizes the governing body of each
municipality to authorize the  municipality to contribute a portion of the
contribution required of each firefighter under this section, and sets
forth requirements effective in that event.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  October 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.