Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

__________________ S TATE
FFAIRS/AgenciesAgencies
TATE AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
Allows a death benefits designee of a member to receive service credit for the member’s sick leave and
annual leave that has accumulated and is unused on the member’s date of death.
Sets up a credit purchase option that allows an eligible member to establish up to 60 months of equivalent
membership service credit. Provides that a member is eligible to establish the credit if the member has at
least 120 months of actual service. Authorizes a member to establish service credit by depositing with the
retirement system, for each month of service credit, the actuarial present value, at the time of deposit, of
the additional standard retirement annuity benefits that would be attributable to the purchase of the service
credit, based on rates and tables recommended by the retirement system’s actuary.
Increases the multiplier used in calculating the member’s average monthly compensation upon retirement
to 2.3, from 2.25, percent.
Provides that designation of a former spouse as a beneficiary is invalid unless the designation is made after
the date of the divorce.
Requires the board of trustees to adopt an investment policy that includes a code of ethics that must
contain standards of ethical conduct and disclosure requirements applicable to the members of the board of
trustees and employees of the retirement system.
Makes additional changes to ERS statutes, including changes regarding privacy, disclosure, misconduct,
fraud, appeals, and records.
The State Pension Review Board (Sunset) - S.B. 302
by Senator Zaffirini
House Sponsor: Representative McCall
The State Pension Review Board (board) was created in 1979 to monitor state and local public retirement
systems for actuarial soundness and compliance with state law.
Continues the board until September 1, 2013 and sets forth standard sunset language regarding board
members, training, equal employment opportunities, standards of conduct, and complaint procedures.
State Aircraft Pooling Board (Sunset) - S.B. 304
by Senator Lucio
House Sponsor: Representative Bosse
The State Aircraft Pooling Board (board) was created to operate a pool for aircraft owned or leased by the
state. Its mission is to provide air transportation services to state officials and employees traveling on
official state business and to provide certain ground services for those aircraft.
Continues the board for 12 years and adds standard Sunset Commission language regarding complaints
and the state employee incentive program.
Requires the board, as part of its strategic plan, to develop a long-range plan for its pool of aircraft and
requires portions of the plan to be included in the board’s legislative appropriations request. Requires the
Senate Research Center 252