LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2017

TO:	Honorable Sarah Davis, Chair, House Committee on General Investigating & Ethics
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB500 by Geren (relating to the effect of certain felony convictions of public elected officers.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure and Government Code relating to the effect of certain felony convictions of public elected officers. The bill would make ineligible for retirement benefits applicable public officers convicted of a qualifying felony.

The Employees Retirement System indicates costs associated with implementing the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. The proposed changes would have no impact on the Employees Retirement System projected August 31, 2017 actuarial valuation results.

The bill would take immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from each House, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. Otherwise the bill takes effect September 1, 2017.

Local Government Impact

According to the Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS), the bill provides TCDRS members who are elected officials and who are convicted of a "qualifying felony" committed while in office would be ineligible for a retirement annuity from TCDRS.

This analysis assumes the bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the Texas County and District Retirement System and any administrative costs could be absorbed within existing resources.

Source Agencies:

327 Employees Retirement System

LBB Staff:

UP, KFa, KK, NV, JGA, AG, ASa