SRC-CTC S.J.R. 52 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 52
77R13448 GJH-DBy: Bivins
Education
4/20/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Constitution provides that money in the Teacher
Retirement System (TRS) Pension Trust may be used only for the retirement
and related disability and death benefits of public employees and officers.
The constitution provides that the money is held in trust for the benefit
of members and is prohibited from being diverted.  As proposed, S.J.R. 52
amends the constitution to ensure that health care benefits may be financed
by contributions to the TRS Pension Fund in the manner provided by certain
federal regulations. 

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 Section 67(b)(1), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, to
authorize the legislature to enact laws to include within the retirement
benefits provided to retirees by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
health care benefits in the manner provided by Section 401(h), Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, and its subsequent amendments, or its successor
statute, that are financed by contributions under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Requires that this constitutional amendment be submitted to the
voters at an election on August 11, 2001.  Requires that the ballot be
printed to permit a person to vote for or against the proposition and sets
forth specific wording to be contained on the ballot.