Relating to certain death benefits for certain public safety officers under public retirement systems.
HB 4534 increases lump-sum death benefits for police officers killed in the line of duty. It provides $1,000,000 to surviving spouses or children (split equally if multiple children) if the officer's death resulted directly from a single work-related injury, replacing the previous $10,000 benefit. The payment comes from a dedicated death benefit fund managed by police retirement boards, separate from other retirement system funds. This bill directly affects active police officers in Texas city departments whose deaths are certified as work-related incidents.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025
Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
6 edits
·
May 12, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was updated to modernize its formatting and clarify that it applies to public safety officers (including firefighters) rather than just police officers. The substantive policy changes include expanding eligibility to firefighters, increasing the death benefit amount from $10,000 to $1,000,000, and adding new requirements for actuarial soundness and IRS compliance.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded from only police officers to include all public safety officers, specifically adding firefighters to the eligible group.
DEFINITION
Added formal definitions for 'firefighter', 'peace officer', and 'public safety officer' to clarify who qualifies for benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed eligibility from retired members receiving death benefits to active members who die from work-related injuries.
FISCAL
Increased the lump-sum death benefit amount from $10,000 to $1,000,000.
REQUIREMENT
Added requirements that the governing body must consult with an actuary to ensure the benefit payment does not threaten the system's financial soundness.
Added a requirement that the death benefit plan must remain qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
TIMELINE
Updated the effective date provision to September 1, 2025 if the bill does not receive immediate effect.
Floor votes · House May 12, 2025
How they voted
139–1
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 144
May 12, 2025
D
Democratic57
96% Yea
R
Republican87
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
2
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mihaela Pleșa
DDemocratic
P
Will Metcalf
RRepublican
Co
Trey Wharton
RRepublican
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