SRC-JEC S.B. 1257 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1257
77R4698 YDB-DBy: Gallegos
Intergovernmental Relations
4/11/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a peace officer or fire fighter who is injured in the line of
duty receives a disability retirement benefit that may not cover all the
necessary expenses.  As proposed, S.B. 1257 creates a benefit fund to make
a one-time payment to peace officers and fire fighters who are injured in
the line of duty to help defray health care expenses. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 614, Government Code, by adding Subchapter F, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER F. SUPPLEMENTAL ONE-TIME PAYMENT FOR CERTAIN
DISABLED PEACE OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS

 Sec. 614.081.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board," "fire fighter," and "peace
officer." 

Sec. 614.082.  PEACE OFFICER AND FIRE FIGHTER SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT.
Provides that the peace officer and fire fighter supplemental payment
account is an account in the general revenue fund that may be appropriated
only for the purposes of this subchapter.  Provides that the account
consists of gifts, grants, and other revenue required by law to be credited
to the account.  

Sec. 614.083.  ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENT. Entitles a peace officer or fire
fighter employed by the state or a local governmental entity in this state
who sustains an injury in the performance of the person's duties as a peace
officer or fire fighter and who presents evidence satisfactory to the board
of trustees of the Employee Retirement System of Texas (board) that the
person's condition is a total disability resulting in permanent incapacity
for work to a one-time payment of $75,000 from funds appropriated for that
purpose.  

Sec. 614.084.  PROOF OF CLAIM. Requires a peace officer or fire fighter to
furnish to the board certain information and evidence. 

Sec. 614.085.  AWARD OF PAYMENT.  Requires the board to notify the
comptroller of the board's determination that a claim under this subchapter
is valid and justifies payment.  
Requires the comptroller, on receipt of the notice, to issue a warrant to
or in behalf of the claimant in the proper amount from funds appropriated
for that purpose.  Provides that a payment under this subchapter to or in
behalf of a peace officer or fire fighter is payable as soon as possible
after the board notifies the comptroller.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.