BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 329

79R264 DLF-D                                                                                                             By: Hinojosa

Education

2/17/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the general law is that a retiree is not entitled to retirement benefit payments from the Teacher Retirement System, for any month in which the retiree is employed in any position by a Texas public educational institution.  Nearly 37,000 Texas teachers leave the classroom each year for other professions or to retire.  Growth in the state's school-aged population demands another 5,000 new teachers each year, and at present that goal is not being met.  As proposed, S.B. 329 allows retirees who retired before January 1, 2005, to return to work without restrictions, no 12-month separation of service requirement, and no loss of benefits.

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 824.601, Government Code, by adding Subsection (g), to prohibit the Teacher Retirement System from withholding a monthly benefit payment from a retiree who meets certain criteria.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.