BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1568

79R2224 SGA-D                                                                                                           By: Williams

State Affairs

3/24/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, according to the Government Code, Section 812.003(e), state employee membership in the Employees Retirement System (ERS) begins on the 91st day of the employee's employment.  This statute, passed during the 78th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, is set to expire on September 1, 2005; prior to enactment of that statute, membership began on the first day of employment or office holding.

As proposed, S.B. 1568 makes permanent the 90-day delay for membership in ERS.  The Legislative Budget Board estimates a $15 million cost to general revenue in the 2006-2007 biennieum if this bill fails to pass.

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 812.003(e), Government Code, to provide that membership in the employee class begins the 91st day after the first day a person is employed or holds office.  Deletes existing text pertaining to persons whose employment or office holding begins before September 1, 2005.

SECTION 2.  Repealers:  Sections 812.003(d) (pertaining to persons whose employment or office holding begins before September 1, 2005) and (h) (pertaining to certain components of Section 812.003 expiring on September 1, 2005), Government Code.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.