Changes to Article IX of the GAA and Other Bills of Interest to State Agencies

Author: Huffman et al.

Effective Date: June 14, 2023

This bill provides an increase in the monthly annuity for most categories of Teacher Retirement System (TRS) members in payment status who retired on or before Aug. 31, 2020. This monthly increase takes effect only if HJR 2 is approved by the voters. The amount of the increase is:

• 2 percent of the annuitant’s monthly benefit if the member retired after Aug. 31, 2013, but on or before Aug. 31, 2020.
• 4 percent of the annuitant’s monthly benefit if the member retired after Aug. 31, 2001, but on or before Aug. 31, 2013.
  – or –
• 6 percent of the annuitant’s monthly benefit if the member retired on or before Aug. 31, 2001.

The bill also provides a one-time payment, no later than September 2023, to most categories of members in payment status who are 70 or older by the month before the payment is made. TRS is required to make the one-time payment only if the TRS board of trustees finds that the Legislature appropriated enough money to the retirement system to provide the payment. The amount of the one-time payment is:

• $7,500 if the annuitant is 75 or older by the month before the month when the one-time payment is made.
  – or –
• $2,400 if the annuitant is 70 but younger than 75 by the month before the month when the one-time payment is made.

Author: Huffman

Effective Date: June 9, 2023

This bill makes supplemental appropriation increases and reductions for various state agencies. See Processing Supplemental Appropriations and Reductions (FPP A.047)

Author: Nichols

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2023

This bill provides a state agency employee with 40 days of paid leave during the employee’s period of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave following the birth of a child, the birth of a child by gestational surrogacy, or the adoption of a child. The bill also entitles a state agency employee to 20 days of paid leave during the employee’s period of FMLA leave following the birth of a child by the employee’s spouse.

Author: Johnson

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2023

This bill expands the definition of a “security incident” that state agencies and institutions of higher education must report to DIR to include a cyberattack that does not involve a data breach.

Author: Parker

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2023

This bill requires the executive director of DIR to employ a chief information security officer. The chief information security officer will:

• Direct the response to certain reports of cybersecurity breaches or suspected breaches.
• Oversee development and implementation of a statewide information security framework and statewide policies and standards.
• Guide collaboration with state agencies to strengthen cybersecurity and information security.
• Provide leadership, strategic direction and coordination for the state information security program
  – and –
• Direct the preparation and submission of the statutorily required annual cybersecurity report to certain elected state officials.

Author: Huffman

Effective Date: May 19, 2023

This bill makes technical changes to the cash balance benefit structure created for members of ERS hired on or after Sept. 1, 2022. These changes do not amend the current benefit structure.

Author: Nichols

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2023

This bill requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to determine whether a state agency sells personal data, who it sells the data to, for what purpose, the dollar amount the agency receives for the sale, and the statute that authorizes the agency to sell the data. The commission will recommend prohibiting the practice unless it identifies a compelling state interest to justify the sale.

Author: Parker

Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2023

This bill amends current law relating to an employment preference for members of the military and their spouses for positions at state agencies and institutions of higher education.

Author: Huffman

Effective Date: May 19, 2023

This bill repeals the statute that allowed members of ERS to retire without separating from a position if the member was 60 or older and had reached the maximum annuity permitted.

Author: Schwertner

Effective Date: June 18, 2023

This bill amends the general laws relating to the timing of the sunset review process for numerous state agencies and government entities.

Author: Birdwell

Effective Date: June 14, 2023

This bill prohibits the use of certain social media applications and services on devices owned or leased by government entities including state agencies and institutions of higher education. DIR and the Department of Public Safety will jointly develop a model policy for government entities to use in restricting the use or installation of these applications.