HBA-TBM H.B. 3147 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3147 By: Smith Pensions & Investments 7/3/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, the supply of properly certified individuals to serve as principals was not meeting the growing demand for principals in Texas schools. To address the critical teacher shortage in this state, the Texas Legislature had enacted statutes that made it easier for retired teachers to reenter the classroom in critical teacher shortage areas without penalty. Members of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas who have been retired from teaching for 12 months are authorized to return to the classroom and receive a salary and retirement benefits. Under previous law, that option did not apply to principals. House Bill 3147 provides this option to principals. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 3147 amends the Government Code to prohibit the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) from withholding a monthly benefit payment if the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution in a position as a principal, including an assistant principal, on as much as a full-time basis if the retiree has retired without reduction for retirement at an early age, is certified to serve as a principal, and has been separated from service with all public schools for at least 12 months. EFFECTIVE DATE June 11, 2001.