SB 1737 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to service retirement benefits payable by the Employees Retirement System of Texas to certain law enforcement officers and custodial officers.

SB 1737 clarifies and expands the definitions of "custodial officer" and "law enforcement officer" for retirement benefits under Texas' Employees Retirement System. It adds specific categories of correctional and juvenile justice positions to the "custodial officer" definition, including those with direct contact with inmates or youth in facilities. It also clarifies which law enforcement officers, including those from agencies like the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, qualify for retirement benefits. These changes ensure more officers in these roles can receive retirement benefits based on their service. The bill requires agencies to certify these officers to the retirement system.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Texas Employees Retirement System to define and provide service credit for 'custodial officers' and 'law enforcement officers' working in specific state agencies. The changes clarify eligibility for early retirement benefits and establish procedures for certifying service credit, with implementation contingent on legislative funding.
Scope change
The bill expands the definition of 'custodial officer' to include caseworkers and positions requiring regular contact with inmates or defendants, and clarifies which positions qualify for law enforcement officer benefits.
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'custodial officer' to include caseworkers and positions requiring regular contact with inmates or defendants without physical barriers.

Modified the definition of 'law enforcement officer' to clarify commissioning requirements and included specific state agencies.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new eligibility criteria for early retirement requiring 55 years of age and 10 years of service credit as law enforcement or custodial officers.

TIMELINE

Established effective date of September 1, 2025, with implementation contingent on legislative funding approval by October 1, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for agencies to certify employee names and service credit information to the retirement system.

FISCAL

Added provisions requiring legislative appropriation to implement certain retirement benefits without increasing unfunded liabilities.

Floor votes · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
52
Key actions
16
Committee
11
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage reported
upper
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 22, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (138-1-5)
house
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
5 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors