The House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee will meet at 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to hear invited and public testimony on several bills, including:
HB 3221 Tepper – This bill amends the Government Code to adjust employer contribution requirements for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The previous language concerning the minimum salary for school personnel is removed. Under this bill, employers would be required to make contributions based on a tiered rate system designed to reflect changes in contribution rates over time. For the period from September 2014 to August 2015, employers must contribute 1.5% of the statutory minimum salary. This contribution structure evolves from September 2015 to August 2019, where contributions remain at 1.5% unless reduced according to the disparity in state contribution rates. From September 2019 onward, contributions must be linked to the fiscal year contribution rates under Subsection (e), subject to similar adjustments.
HB 5627 Capriglione – This bill creates the Texas Commission on Public School Teacher Retirement Funding Transparency “to enhance transparency in teacher retirement funding by developing recommendations that effectively incorporate state resources for retirement within the Foundation School Program.” The commission would consist of seven members, with designated appointments from the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House. The governor would appoint the presiding officer of the commission. While members would not receive compensation, they would be reimbursed for actual expenses related to their duties. Administrative support is mandated to be provided by the agency (TRS), with financial backing from legislative appropriations. The bill tasks the commission with creating recommendations on several critical aspects, such as including future state appropriations for teacher retirement, assessing contribution requirements for maintaining an effective Teacher Retirement System, and ensuring that staffing incentives prioritize classroom instruction. The commission would have the authority to create working groups to explore specific issues. It would be required to submit a report to the governor and Legislature by December 31, 2026, with necessary statutory recommendations, and would be dissolved upon the expiration of this subchapter on January 1, 2027.
