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89(R) HB 5627 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
89R25453 RDR-D
By: Capriglione, Bonnen
H.B. No. 5627
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Public School
Teacher Retirement Funding Transparency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 48, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter H to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H. TEXAS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER RETIREMENT
FUNDING TRANSPARENCY
Sec.
48.351.
DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission"
means the Texas Commission on Public School Teacher Retirement
Funding Transparency established by this subchapter.
Sec.
48.352.
TEXAS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
RETIREMENT FUNDING TRANSPARENCY. (a) The commission is
established to develop and make recommendations regarding
incorporating state resources for teacher retirement benefits
within the Foundation School Program, aligning staffing incentives
with state priorities, and providing uniformity in resourcing
retirement obligations to fund teacher retirement benefits.
(b)
The commission is composed of seven members, appointed
as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2)
three members appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(3)
three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(c) The commission members appointed by:
(1)
the governor must have an interest in staffing
issues faced by public schools;
(2)
the lieutenant governor must be three members of
the senate; and
(3)
the speaker of the house of representatives must
be three members of the house of representatives.
Sec.
48.353.
PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
designate the presiding officer of the commission.
Sec.
48.354.
COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the
commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.
Sec.
48.355.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a) The
agency shall provide administrative support for the commission.
(b)
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas and the office of
the comptroller shall provide additional support required by the
commission.
(c)
Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
of the commission shall be provided by legislative appropriation
made to the agency for that purpose.
Sec.
48.356.
RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The commission shall
develop recommendations regarding:
(1)
incorporating current and future appropriations
that constitute state contributions for retirement of public
education personnel into the Foundation School Program as part of
the basic allotment or another formula mechanism;
(2)
reviewing state and employer contribution
requirements to ensure:
(A)
staffing incentives prioritize classroom
instruction; and
(B)
retirement obligations between public
schools are uniform; and
(3)
establishing employer contribution requirements
sufficient to ensure the actuarial soundness of the Teacher
Retirement System of Texas for the foreseeable future.
(b)
The commission may establish one or more working groups
composed of not more than three members of the commission to study,
discuss, and address specific policy issues and recommendations to
refer to the commission for consideration.
Sec.
48.357.
REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2026, the
commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and
the legislature that recommends statutory changes to implement
recommendations developed under this subchapter.
Sec.
48.358.
PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a)
The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its
duties under this subchapter. The commission is not subject to
Chapter 551, Government Code.
(b)
The commission is subject to Chapter 552, Government
Code.
Sec.
48.359.
COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF
SUBCHAPTER. The commission is abolished and this subchapter
expires January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.