LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 16, 2013

TO:
Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3357 by Callegari (Relating to the administration of and benefits payable by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to stipulate that open portions of a meeting of the board of trustees of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) be recorded in some manner and to allow a person who is not a member of the board to speak at a meeting from a remote location by conference call.
 
The bill would amend the Government Code regarding benefits paid to retirees under the TRS system to allow certain retirees to change their annuity selection post-retirement. The bill would stipulate the conditions under which a retiree would be eligible to change their annuity selection. 
 
The bill would amend the Government Code regarding the administration of the TRS system by stipulating the manner in which the governor appoints members to the board of trustees; by stipulating the manner in which the board conducts its meetings; exempting the medical board members from subpoena regarding the findings made in assisting the executive director of TRS or the board of trustees; and by directing the board to adopt a code of ethics. 
 
The bill would repeal a requirement that TRS administrative expenses be funded from the General Revenue Fund. The bill would eliminate the requirement that TRS staff compile and disseminate a report showing the amount of funds transferred exceeding the amount of operating expenses appropriated under Section 825.313(d).
 
The bill would make changes regarding the privacy of TRS members and the types of information TRS or another governmental agency, including the comptroller, would be required to make public regarding TRS members. 

The bill would remove the requirement that TRS-ActiveCare offer a plan comparable to that of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.  The bill would modify eligibility for the two health care plans (TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare) administered by TRS to be consistent with federal health care laws. The bill would make other changes clarifying and updating TRS administrative laws.
 
The bill would take effect on September 1, 2013, or immediately with a two-thirds vote of each house except that the amendments to Government Code, Sections 824.1012 and 824.1013 would be effective on September 1, 2013.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
323 Teacher Retirement System, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:
UP, AG, RB, JSc, JW, JJO