MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, November 19, 2012

1:00 PM

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, November 19, 2012, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Bob Deuell, Vice Chair

 

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Troy Fraser

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:08 PM. The following business was transacted:

 

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following:

 

Charge 6:  Examine establishing a workforce retention program or deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned peace officers and whether any plan can be built with actuarially sustainable factors while meeting the needs of officers.

 

Charge 7:  Examine the feasibility of implementing Health reimbursement Accounts and Medicare exchanges for Medicare eligible participants currently covered by and receiving health coverage through the Employees Retirement System, the Teacher Retirement System, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M University.  Identify any cost savings to the state and to retirees that would occur under such a plan.

 

The long-term sustainability of the Employees Retirement System group insurance program and the Texas Public School Retired Employee group insurance program pursuant to the 2012-2013 General Appropriations Act, Article I, Employees Retirement System Rider 13 and Article III, Teacher Retirement System Rider 16.

 

The pension benefit studies submitted to the Legislature regarding Employees Retirement System and Teacher Retirement system pension plans pursuant to the 2012-2013 General Appropriations Act, Article IX, Section 18.03.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:45 PM Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk