BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 917
87R2753 JCG-D	By: Hernandez et al. (To Be Filed)
	Finance
	4/16/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Only active state employees who are contributing to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) retirement trust fund can run for an elected position for the ERS board of trustees (board). Retired state employees, a large percentage of employees under the ERS umbrella, are not eligible to run for any of the three elected positions. Under current law, by not allowing the retirees an opportunity to serve, ERS is missing their valuable experience and diversity which aligns with other state public retirement boards.

H.B. 917 would allow a qualified retiree to be eligible to run for one of the three elected board positions and provide representation for a significant portion in ERS. This bill does not require a retiree to be elected but rather allows for retiree representation. H.B. 917 would align ERS with best practices of other public retirement system boards while maintaining the current mission of the board and the current number of board positions.

H.B. 917 amends current law relating to the composition of the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 815.003, Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

(b)� Requires two of the elected members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) board of trustees (board) to be members of ERS and to hold positions that are included in the employee class of membership and that are not with an agency or department with which another trustee holds a position. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

(b-1) Requires the third elected member of the board to meet the requirements of Subsection (b) or to be a retiree.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.