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.