BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1519
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Compensation for extended service on the bench encourages experienced judges to remain on the bench and enhances the quality of justice in the state.
As proposed, S.B. 1519 entitles a judge or justice who is paid by the state, is a member of the Judicial Retirement System, and who is an active judge to longevity pay. The longevity pay includes $50 for each year of service credited in the retirement system, and is calculated or recalculated and becomes payable beginning with the month following the month in which the judge or justice completes eight, 12, and 16 years of service for which credit is established in the retirement system.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 659.042, Government Code, as follows:
Sec, 659.042. EXCLUSIONS. Provides that an individual who holds a statewide office that is normally filled by vote of the people is not entitled to longevity pay, except as provided by Section 659.0445.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 659.044(a), Government Code, to include Section 659.0445 as an exception to this subsection.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 659, Government Code, by adding Section 659.0445, as follows:
Sec. 659.0445. LONGEVITY PAY FOR STATE JUDGES AND JUSTICES. (a) Entitles a judge or justice who receives a salary paid by the state, is a member of the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan Two, and is an active judge, as defined by Section 74.041(a), to longevity pay as provided by this section.
(b) Provides that the monthly amount of longevity pay to which a judge or justice described by Subsection (a) is entitled is $50 for each year of service credited in the retirement system, and is calculated or recalculated and becomes payable beginning with the month following the month in which the judge or justice completes 8, 12, and 16 years of service for which credit is established in the retirement system.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 814.103(a), Government Code, to exclude longevity pay payable under Section 659.0445 from being considered as state salary and used in calculating the standard service annuity for service credited in the elected class of membership.
SECTION 5. Amends the heading to Subchapter A, Chapter 835, Government Code, to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS; POWERS AND DUTIES
SECTION 6. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 835, Government Code, by adding Section 835.0005, as follows:
Sec. 835.0005. DEFINITION. Defines "state salary."
SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2007.