HBA-GUM H.J.R. 92 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 92 By: Luna, Vilma Pensions and Investments 3/31/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A letter opinion (l097-113(1997)) issued by the Office of the Attorney General has indicated that persons retiring before the enactment of a law authorizing additional pension benefits are ineligible for such benefits. Accordingly, the board of trustees of the Corpus Christi Fire Fighters' Retirement System determined that it could not authorize pension increases for the widows of seven retired fire fighters. As proposed, H.J.R. 92 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment authorizing a public retirement system to provide benefits before or after the retirement or death of the members or retirees of the system. 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 Section 67(a), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Subdivision (5), as follows: (5) Authorizes a public retirement system, created by a governmental entity, to provide benefits to its members and retirees and their beneficiaries before or after the retirement or death of the person the benefits are provided for. Provides that this is a statement of the common law. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election held on November 2, 1999. Sets forth the required language for the ballot.