HB5627 - Relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Public School Teacher Retirement Funding Transparency.

  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.