Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

EDUCATION/PUBLIC
Makes several changes regarding compensation of TRS employees, including:
• providing that rates and amounts may not exceed those paid for similar services for the state if the
expenditures are paid from the general revenue funds;
• exempting TRS from certain statutes regarding travel expenses and employee compensation; and
• authorizing TRS to pay employees at their regular rate of pay for overtime work if compensatory time off
would be disruptive to TRS business.
Defines a new employee for the purposes of employer payments to TRS as any person first employed on or after
September 1, 2005, including a former member who has withdrawn retirement benefits.
Sets out the amount an employer must pay during each fiscal year and the time period for remitting such payment.
Requires TRS to report to the commissioner of education and the state auditor at the end of each school year each
employer that has failed to remit payment.
Requires the commissioner of education or state auditor to withhold the amount that the employer failed to remit, plus
interest, from state money paid to the employer.
Sets out what an employer who employs a retiree must remit to TRS.
Provides that provisions regarding professional and consulting services do not apply to certain legal services
contracted for by TRS.
Requires TRS to administer the plan in a manner that satisfies the minimum distribution provision of the federal
Internal Revenue Code.
Clarifies that certain records held by TRS are exempt from the Texas Public Information Act.
Authorizes TRS to provide and receive certain information electronically.
Exempts TRS trustees, executive director, and employees from liability for acts or omissions made in good faith in
the performance of their TRS duties.
Makes a number of changes regarding the Texas Public School Retired Employees Group Benefits Act (Benefits
Act), including:
• Defining a retiree as a person retiring after September 1, 2005, with at least 10 years of service credit and
either:
• the sum of the member's age and amount of TRS service credit equal the number 80, regardless of
whether the retiree has a reduction in the retirement annuity for early age; or
• the member has at least 30 years of service credit in TRS.
• Providing that a person who has taken a service retirement from TRS after September 1, 2004, but meets
certain other requirements, is deemed a retiree, and meets the eligibility requirements.
• Exempting a coverage plan provided under the Benefits Act from any insurance law that does not expressly
apply to the plan or this chapter.
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 83