80R1994 KFF-D

By: Latham H.B. No. 1543

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to benefits from the Employees Retirement System of Texas for law enforcement officers commissioned by the attorney general.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 811.001(9), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(9) "Law enforcement officer" means a member of the retirement system who:

(A) has been commissioned as a law enforcement officer by the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the attorney general, or the Parks and Wildlife Department; and

(B) is recognized as a commissioned law enforcement officer by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

SECTION 2. Section 814.104(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A member who is at least 55 years old and who has at least 10 years of service credit as a commissioned peace officer engaged in criminal law enforcement activities of the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the attorney general, or the Parks and Wildlife Department, or as a custodial officer, is eligible to retire and receive a service retirement annuity.

SECTION 3. Section 815.505, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 815.505. CERTIFICATION OF NAMES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CUSTODIAL OFFICERS. Not later than the 12th day of the month following the month in which a person begins or ceases employment as a law enforcement officer or custodial officer, the Public Safety Commission, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the attorney general, the Parks and Wildlife Commission, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, or the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, as applicable, shall certify to the retirement system, in the manner prescribed by the system, the name of the employee and such other information as the system determines is necessary for the crediting of service and financing of benefits under this subtitle.

SECTION 4. Before October 1, 2007, the attorney general shall certify to the Employees Retirement System of Texas, in the manner prescribed by the system:

(1) the name of each person employed by the attorney general on September 1, 2007, as a law enforcement officer as defined by Section 811.001, Government Code, as amended by this Act; and

(2) any other information the system determines is necessary for the crediting of service and financing of benefits for law enforcement officers employed by the attorney general under Subtitle B, Title 8, Government Code.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.