HBA-SEB H.B. 2239 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2239 By: Berman Pensions and Investments 3/23/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a member of the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) becomes a vested member after eight years of service. An elected official who serves less than eight years in office cannot become vested in TCDRS. Although the officer is reimbursed for salary deductions, the subdivision participating in TCDRS is not reimbursed for its contributions to the officer's account. H.B. 2239 provides an elected officer with the option not to participate or to discontinue membership in TCDRS for the duration of the officer's term. In this way, the subdivision does not make contributions for an elected officer who chooses not to participate in TCDRS. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 842, Government Code, by adding Section 842.1015, as follows: Sec. 842.1015. OPTIONAL MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN OFFICERS. Provides that a person elected after August 31, 1999, as an officer of a subdivision participating in the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) does not become a member of TCDRS if the officer files a notice of intention not to become a member. Authorizes a person who is a member of TCDRS at the time of election to decline to continue active membership for the period of the person's service in office by filing a notice of that intent. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.