78R4912 RCJ-F

By:  Grusendorf                                                   H.B. No. 820



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain appellate judges to retire 
with full benefits.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 839.101, Government Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as 
follows:
	(a)  A member is eligible to retire and receive a service 
retirement annuity if the member:
		(1)  is at least 65 years old, currently holds a 
judicial office, and has at least 10 years of service credited in 
the retirement system;
		(2)  is at least 65 years old and has at least 12 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office; [or]
		(3)  is at least 55 years old and has at least 20 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office;
		(4)  is at least 57 years old, has at least 18 years of 
service credited in the retirement system, and has served at least 
three full terms on an appellate court, regardless of whether the 
member currently holds judicial office; or
		(5)  is at least 57 years old, has at least 16 years of 
service credited in the retirement system, and has served at least 
two full terms on the supreme court or the court of criminal 
appeals, regardless of whether the member currently holds judicial 
office.
	(d)  For purposes of Subsections (a)(4) and (5), a member who 
holds judicial office for at least 70 consecutive months during a 
term of office is considered to have served the full term.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.