SRC-JLB H.B. 2237 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2237
78R8843 YDB-FBy: Kuempel (Armbrister)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/17/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, twenty or more active members of a volunteer fire department in
Texas are needed for that fire department's members to be eligible for
benefits from the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).  H.B. 2237
changes the ERS eligibility requirements for a fire department to 10
active members. 

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 615.003, Government Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 615.003.  APPLICABILITY.  Provides that this chapter applies only to
eligible survivors of certain individuals, including a member of an
organized volunteer firefighting unit that renders fire-fighting services
without remuneration;  consists of not fewer than 10, rather than twenty,
active members, a majority of whom are present at each meeting;  and
conducts a minimum of two drills each month, each two hours long. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section
615.003, Government Code, relating to the death of a member of an
organized volunteer fire-fighting unit applies only in relation to a death
that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.  Provides that
matters regarding eligibility, payment, and benefits under Chapter 615,
Government Code, in relation to a death that occurs before the effective
date of this Act are governed by the law in effect when the death occurs,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.