SRC-DPW S.B. 1664 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1664
By: Shapleigh
State Affairs
4/16/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, in cities with populations of 500,000 to 600,000, an individual
who is transferred involuntarily from a position that does not participate
in a pension fund for firefighters and police officers (pension fund) to a
position that does participate in the pension fund may not elect to remain
with the individual's original pension fund.  As a result, some employees
may lose time or credit within a pension fund.  S.B. 1664 would amend the
Government Code, to authorize an individual who is involuntarily
transferred from a position which does not participate in the pension fund
to elect to continue to be a member of the individual's original pension
fund.  This bill also would authorize a public retirement system that
elects to participate in a proportionate retirement program to do so
without the approval of the participants of the retirement system making
the election. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1664 sets forth guidelines for the election and
participation in proportionate retirement programs for certain public
employees. 

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 803.0021, Government Code, to provide that
Sections 803.101(g) and 803.102(b) apply only to a retirement system
existing under Article 6243b, V.T.C.S. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 803.101, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(g), to provide that the approval of the participants in a retirement
system making an election under Subsection (f) is not required. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 803.102, Government Code, to authorize a person
to make a one-time election to continue membership in a retirement system
under this chapter if the change in employment status making the person
eligible for membership in another retirement system is an involuntary
transfer.  Requires an election to be made at the time of the involuntary
transfer. Authorizes an election to continue membership to be made under
this section notwithstanding any provision to the contrary under Article
6243b, V.T.C.S., or under a city charter or ordinance or otherwise.  Makes
conforming changes.   

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.