By Luna                                               H.J.R. No. 92
         76R8858 GCH-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the powers of
 1-2     public retirement systems.
 1-3           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 67(a), Article XVI, Texas Constitution,
 1-5     is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:
 1-6                 (5)  A public retirement system, whether created by
 1-7     statute or by action of a governmental entity, has the powers
 1-8     provided by its governing law to provide benefits to its members
 1-9     and retirees and their beneficiaries without regard to whether the
1-10     benefits are provided before or after the retirement or death of
1-11     the person for whose service the benefits are provided.  This
1-12     subdivision is a statement of the common law and applies to
1-13     benefits provided before or after the date of its inclusion in the
1-14     Texas Constitution.
1-15           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-16     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
1-17     The ballot  shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
1-18     proposition: "The constitutional amendment to affirm the power of
1-19     public retirement systems to provide benefits before or after the
1-20     retirement or death of the members or retirees of the systems."