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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an annual adjustment for inflation to the monthly |
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amount of longevity pay for state employees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 659.044, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) and |
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Section 659.0445, the monthly amount of longevity pay is the amount |
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set by the comptroller under Subsection (a-1) [$20] for every two |
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years of lifetime service credit. |
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(a-1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the comptroller |
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shall set the amount of longevity pay for purposes of Subsection (a) |
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in the manner provided by this subsection. The comptroller shall |
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increase the amount of longevity pay in effect during the year in |
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which the increase is made by an amount equal to the product of the |
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amount of longevity pay in effect for that year and the percentage |
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increase, if any, in an index considered by the comptroller to most |
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accurately report annual changes in the purchasing power of the |
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dollar for consumers in this state. The increased amount of |
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longevity pay is effective for the 12-month period beginning on |
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September 1 of the year in which the increase is made. Not later |
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than August 1 of each year, the comptroller shall publish notice of |
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the increased amount of longevity pay determined under this |
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subsection and the period for which that amount will be effective in |
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the Texas Register and post that information in a prominent |
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location on the comptroller's Internet website. |
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(a-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (a-1), for the state |
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fiscal year beginning September 1, 2023, and ending August 31, |
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2024, the comptroller shall set the amount of longevity pay for |
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purposes of Subsection (a) in an amount equal to the sum of $20 and |
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the product of $20 and the percentage increase, if any, in an index |
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considered by the comptroller to most accurately report annual |
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changes in the purchasing power of the dollar for consumers in this |
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state. This subsection expires September 1, 2024. |
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SECTION 2. The comptroller of public accounts shall |
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calculate the amount of longevity pay in effect for the state fiscal |
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year beginning September 1, 2023, in the manner required by Section |
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659.044(a-2), Government Code, as added by this Act. In the state |
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fiscal year beginning September 1, 2024, and in subsequent state |
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fiscal years, the comptroller of public accounts shall calculate |
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the amount of longevity pay in effect for the applicable state |
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fiscal year in the manner required by Section 659.044(a-1), |
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Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |