Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_____________________ L OCAL
OCAL GOVERNMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Improvements to Municipal Retirement Systems - S.B. 522
by Senator Armbrister
House Sponsor: Representative Kuempel
The Texas Municipal Retirement System is a voluntary statewide retirement system that administers
retirement, disability, and death benefits to employees of Texas cities.
Changes vesting requirements for members from 10 to five years. Creates new benefit options for retirees,
members, and beneficiaries. Grants additional authority for investments, and making administrative
changes.
Texas County and District Retirement System - S.B. 523
by Senator Armbrister
House Sponsor: Representative Kuempel
Texas County and District Retirement System (TCDRS) is a voluntary, statewide retirement system for
officers and employees of counties and other political subdivisions, excepting cities and school districts.
Allows TCDRS members who have worked for more than one participating employer to choose to retire or
receive refunds from any individual account or combination of accounts.
Allows for the suspension rather than forfeiture of retirement benefits to a retired member who is reemployed
in the same subdivision. Enables retirees who have returned to work for the same employer to
collect a lump-sum distribution of their suspended payments after they terminate TCDRS-covered
employment.
Gives future retirees a pension option allowing a retiree who chooses an annuity with payments over the
life of a beneficiary to begin receiving higher standard benefits after the death of that beneficiary.
Increases the supplemental death benefit from $2,500 to $5,000.
Excess Airport Revenue - S.B. 569
by Senators Cain and Moncrief
House Sponsor: Representative Glenn Lewis
Although a large airport may spread across the boundaries of several municipalities, ownership of the
facility may be held by just one or two cities. The significant revenues generated by such an airport may or
may not be shared by all municipalities involved, as is the case of the Dallas Fort Worth International
Airport, owned by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, but occupying territory in several neighboring
municipalities.
Institutes a financial sharing system by which airport revenues are shared among the cities involved
according to certain stated ratios.
Senate Research Center 201