Legislative Activity Related to ERS

ERS will monitor for legislation related to our benefits and operations during the 88th Texas Legislature. Check this page regularly for updates on bills that could affect ERS’ benefits programs and operations.

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Filed Legislation Affecting the Employees Retirement System of Texas, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session

BillAuthorSummaryMay 8, 2023
General Appropriations Bills
SB 1
Huffman

Retirement:

  • ERS – Maintains state contribution rates of 9.5% for both years of biennium; plus an additional state agency contribution at the rate of 0.5% of base payroll. Appropriated $510M each year of the biennium in Legacy Payments. Appropriated $1B for a one-time additional Legacy Payment (estimated that with this additional, one-time payment, the state will avoid $5.5B in interest over the life of the Legacy Payment schedule)
  • LECOSRF –  Increased the state contribution of by 1% (for 1.5% total) to meet LECO Plan normal cost. Appropriated a single lump sum of $750M to eliminate the LECO unfunded liability
  • JRS 2 – Increased the state contribution by 3.587% (for 19.25%) to meet the JRS2 Plan normal cost. Appropriated a single lump sum of $105M to eliminate the JRS2 unfunded liability

Group Health Plan: 

  • Fully funded
  • Maintains current 100% member and 50% dependent state contribution
  • Maintains 1% of base payroll contribution from participating state agencies and higher education institutions
HB 1
Bonnen 
Retirement
HB 548VasutAuthorizes a supplemental annuity (13th check) in the lesser of an annuitant’s monthly payment or $2000.
Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 2/23
HB 830AllenAuthorizes a one-time 10% COLA, an annual 4% COLA, and a supplemental annuity (13th check) in the lesser of an annuitant’s monthly payment or $2000.
Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/1
HB 1393FrankCreates new optional retirement annuity that begins at an actuarially reduced amount, but increases over time.
Mtg set Senate Finance 5/8
SB 531WestIncrease the multiplier for retirement groups 1, 2, and 3 from 2.3% to 2.7%Referred to Finance 2/17
HB 1473RoseReferred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs hearing 3/3
HB 1651CookAllows the ERS board of trustees to adopt an alternative definition of correctional officers employed by the Juvenile Justice Department permitting their participation in the enhanced LECO benefit.
Referred to Senate Finance 5/5
SB 729HuffmanTechnical corrections to the cash balance benefit for individuals employed by the state on or after 9/2/2022.
Set on Senate Items Eligible Calendar 5/8
HB 3056Bonnen

Laid on the table - subject to call 5/1

SB 2072BettencourtPermits peace officers employed by the Attorney General to participate in LECO supplements retirement benefit.
Referred to Finance 3/21
HB 2406GerenPensions, Investments & Financial Svs Cte action pending 4/19
SB 1270GutierrezAdds peace officers employed by independent school districts to the ERS LECOS enhanced benefit.Referred to Finance 3/9
HB 4141GuillenReferred to Senate Finance 5/4
HB 2471GerenPermits peace officers employed by the Comptroller of Public Accounts to participate in LECO supplemental retirement benefit.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs Cte action pending 4/19
SB 1062SchwertnerRequires ERS to report certain proposals to achieve actuarial soundness in an experience study.
Referred to Finance 3/3
HB 2779
LeachRaises salaries of judges by 11% in 2023 and 11% in 2024Set on the House Calendar 5/8
HB 2887Johnson, APermits custodial officers at the Texas Justice Department to participate in the LECOS enhanced benefit.Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/14
HB 3254BurnsPermits certain individuals to purchase ERS waiting period service.Voted favorably from Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 5/1
SB 1245HuffmanCreates a new cash balance benefit for judges who take office on or after 9/1/24.Reported favorably from Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 4/25
HB 3367BonnenCte action pending -Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 4/12
SB 1509HuffmanRepeals the provision that allows certain ERS members to retire in place.Senate concurred on House amendmts 5/4
HB 3493BonnenLaid on the table - subject to call 4/28
HB 3793BucyGrants current retirees a 10% COLA and requires ERS to study future possible COLAs.Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/20
HB 2776BucyRaises salaries of judges by 11% in 2023 and 11% in 2024Referred to Elections 3/13
HB 3813DeAyalaAllows certain annuitants with ERS and TRS service to receive health insurance from ERS.
Referred to Senate Finance 5/5
HB 4324Bell
Permits certain members of Texas Military Forces to purchase ERS service.		Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs Cte action pending 5/3
SB 1301HughesRequires ERS to recalculate judicial annuities if a judicial pay raise is enacted.Referred to Finance 3/9
HB 4540LongoriaSet on the House Calendar 5/9
SB 2104MilesProvides a 10% immediate COLA, a 4% annual COLA, and a $2,000 13th Check.
Referred to Finance 3/21
HB 4608AllenReferred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/22
SB 1510WestProvides a 13th check in the lesser of $2,500 or the monthly annuity to an ERS annuitant.
Referred to Finance 3/16
Chapter 615
(Survivor benefits for officers killed in the line of duty)
SB 115HuffmanWould provide Chapter 615 benefits to survivors of Texas Military killed on duty in active duty.
Referred to Finance 2/15
HB 90PattersonReferred to Finance 4/13
HB 434Leo-WilsonWould provide Chapter 615 benefits to survivors of Texas Military killed on duty in active duty.
Referred to Defense & Veterans' Affairs 2/23
HB 835RaymondReferred to Defense & Veterans' Affairs 3/1
Insurance
Insurance - Coverages
SB 155HuffmanRequires health plans, including the GBP, to permit participants to choose hearing aids.
Referred to Finance 2/15
HB 90PattersonReferred to Finance 4/13
SB 51Zaffirini
Requires health plans, including the GBP, to permit participants to choose hearing aids.
Rec'd for Local/Uncontested 4/18
HB 109Johnson J.Sent to the Governor 5/2
HB 118CortezRequires health plans, including the GBP, to offer prostate cancer screening at no cost.
Set on the House Calendar 5/9
HB 134BernalRequires health plans, including the GBP, to provide full coverage for cranial remolding orthosis.
Referred to Senate HHS 5/1
HB 340 ThompsonRequires health plans, including the GBP, to cover treatment of serious emotional disturbance of a child.
Passed on local calendar 5/6
HB 526WuWould permit a health care provider to submit a blood sample for additional screening for HIV.
Referred to Insurance 2/23
SB 807PaxtonRequires a health plan, including the GBP, to cover a 12-month supply of a contraceptive drug when refilled.Referred to HHS 3/1
HB 916OrdazMtg set for Senate HHS 5/10
SB 842HinojosaPermits retirees to participate in the bariatric surgery benefit offered by ERS.
Voted favorably from HHS 5/4
HB 2640HerreroReferred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/13
HB 3886VoRequires ERS to help individuals under 65 who are Medicare eligible to enroll.
Passed on House Local Calendar 5/6
Insurance - Plan Design/Funding
HB 839Gonazalez, J.
Prohibits a health plan, including the GBP, from requiring prior authorization for a drug prescribed to treat an infectious disease.
Referred to Insurance 3/1
HB 840GatesRequires the ERS board of trustees to develop a bundled pricing program for health care provided by the GBP.
Voted favorably from Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 5/1
SB 358Kolkhorst
Requires certain health plans, including the GBP, to establish a shared savings program.
Referred to HHS 2/15
HB 1364MunozAllows individuals to pay a health care provider directly rather than file a claim.
Referred to Select on Health Reform 3/3
SB 583HughesReferred to HHS 2/17
HB 3034TalaricoRequires health plans like the GBP to provide notice if they do not cover nonemergency services provided by an EMT.
Removed from 4/25 hearing in House Insurance 4/21
SB 2442PerryRequires certain health plans like the GBP to accept any provider if the provider is willing to accept 90% of the highest contracted rate.
Referred to HHS 3/23
HB 4773BonnenReferred to Insurance 3/22
HB 4893BonnenRequires certain health plans like the GBP to accept any hospital if the hospital is willing to accept 90% of the highest contracted rate.
Referred to Insurance 3/23
SB 2502KolkhorstSets a maximum reimbursement rate for the GBP.Referred to HHS 3/23
HB 5186BonnenReported as substituted from Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 4/25
Insurance - Eligibility
HB 1455Anchia
Permits wrongfully imprisoned individuals to enroll their dependents in the GBP.
Reported as substituted in Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/30
Investments
HB 2068PaulRequires ERS to invest based solely on pecuniary interests.
Set for hearing in Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 5/10
SB 1189ParkerPrevents state agencies like ERS from contracting with or investing in companies doing business with Russia.
Referred to State Affairs 3/9
HB 2823AnchiaReferred to House State Affairs 3/14
HB 2068PaulRequires ERS to invest based solely on pecuniary interests.
Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Svs 3/8
Contracting
HB 982 TothPrevents state agencies from contracting with entities that adhere to environmental, social, and guidance criteria.
Referred to State Affairs 3/2
HB 1089Rosenthal
Repeals chapters of the Texas Government Code that prohibit state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel, boycott firearms, and boycott fossil fuels.
Referred to State Affairs 3/2
HB 1090RosenthalRepeals chapter of the Texas Government Code that prohibit state agencies from contracting companies that boycott Israel.
Referred to State Affairs 3/2
SB 1831HinojosaAllows ERS to use a management company in connection with its home office.
Passed on House Local Calendar 5/6
HB 3865LambertRecommended for Local & Consent 4/14

 

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