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.