78S40144 RCJ-D

By:  McClendon                                                    H.B. No. 65 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the expedited payment of the lump-sum death benefit for 
members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 814.501(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  A lump-sum death benefit in the amount of $5,000 is 
payable if the board of trustees receives proof satisfactory to it 
of the death, on or after September 1, 1975, of a person retired 
under a retirement system administered by the board.  The board by 
rule shall adopt procedures to provide for the payment of this 
benefit not later than the seventh day after the date the board 
receives the required proof of death.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect immediately if it 
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each 
house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  
If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate 
effect, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of 
the legislative session.
	(b)  The board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System 
of Texas shall adopt the rules required by Section 814.501(a), 
Government Code, as amended by this Act, not later than November 1, 
2004.