HBA-MSH H.B. 2392 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2392
By: Turner, Bob
Pensions & Investments
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Peace officers of the office of the attorney general perform a wide range
of law enforcement functions, including investigation of felony crimes,
fraud, gambling, and capital crimes, and the service of warrants and the
making of arrests.  Such officers are also exposed to all of the dangers of
other peace officers. However, they are currently not eligible to receive
additional retirement benefits under the supplemental retirement program
for commissioned peace officers and custodial officers administered by the
Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).  House Bill 2392 includes peace
officers of the office of the attorney general in the definition of "law
enforcement officer" in order to receive benefits from ERS. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2392 amends the Government Code to include attorney general
peace officers in the definition of "law enforcement officer" as it relates
to the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).  The bill provides that
an attorney general peace officer who is at least 55 years of age and who
has at least 10 years of service credit as a commissioned peace officer
engaged in criminal law enforcement activities of the attorney general is
eligible to retire and receive a service retirement annuity.  The bill
requires the attorney general to certify to ERS, no later than the 12th day
of the month following the month in which a person begins or ceases
employment as a law enforcement officer, the name of the employee and other
such information necessary for the crediting of service and financing of
benefits.   The bill requires the attorney general to certify to ERS by
October 1, 2002 the name of each person employed by the attorney general as
a law enforcement officer. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.