By: Ratliff S.J.R. No. 38
99S0755/1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment relating to contributions made
1-2 to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas by the state and by
1-3 individuals participating in the system.
1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subsection (b), Section 67, Article XVI, Texas
1-6 Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
1-7 (b) State Retirement Systems. (1) The legislature shall
1-8 establish by law a Teacher Retirement System of Texas to provide
1-9 benefits for persons employed in the public schools, colleges, and
1-10 universities supported wholly or partly by the state. Other
1-11 employees may be included under the system by law. The amount
1-12 contributed by a person participating in the Teacher Retirement
1-13 System of Texas shall be established by the legislature as a
1-14 percentage of current compensation. The sum of the amount of
1-15 contributions made by persons participating in the Teacher
1-16 Retirement System of Texas and the amount of the state's
1-17 contribution to the system may not be less than 12 percent of the
1-18 aggregate compensation paid to individuals participating in the
1-19 system; provided, however, that the amount contributed by the state
1-20 shall not be less than six percent of the aggregate compensation of
1-21 individuals participating in the system.
1-22 (2) The legislature shall establish by law an
1-23 Employees Retirement System of Texas to provide benefits for
2-1 officers and employees of the state and such state-compensated
2-2 officers and employees of appellate courts and judicial districts
2-3 as may be included under the system by law.
2-4 [(3)] The amount contributed by a person participating
2-5 in the Employees Retirement System of Texas [or the Teacher
2-6 Retirement System of Texas] shall be established by the legislature
2-7 but may not be less than six percent of current compensation. The
2-8 amount contributed by the state to the Employees Retirement System
2-9 of Texas may not be less than six percent nor more than 10 percent
2-10 of the aggregate compensation paid to individuals participating in
2-11 the system.
2-12 (3) In an emergency, as determined by the governor,
2-13 the legislature may appropriate such additional sums as are
2-14 actuarially determined to be required to fund benefits authorized
2-15 by law.
2-16 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-17 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
2-18 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-19 proposition: "The constitutional amendment eliminating the
2-20 percentage requirements for contributions made to the Teacher
2-21 Retirement System of Texas by the state and by individuals
2-22 participating in the system."